Registration document 2007 - Total.com

Non-resident individual taxpayers entitled to the previous avoir
fiscal under certain Tax Treaties are also entitled to this tax credit
limited to 115.0 euros for each individual (double for married
couples filing jointly), possibly reduced by the French withholding
tax. However, the procedure to follow in order to obtain the
payment of this tax credit has not yet been released by the
French Tax Administration.
Provided certain requirements are satisfied, individual residents of
the above-mentioned countries are entitled to the transfer of this
tax credit, except in Germany, Ireland and South Africa.
The foreign taxation of dividends varies from one country to
another according to their respective tax legislation.
In most countries, the gross amount of dividend plus, if any, the
refund up to 115.0 euros (or 230.0 euros for married couples
filing jointly) is generally included in the recipient’s taxable tax
basis. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, French
withholding taxes on dividends will be eligible against the holder’s
income tax liability.
However, there are certain exceptions. For instance, in Belgium,
a so-called “précompte mobilier” of 15% is applicable to the net
dividends received by individual shareholders.
Because the foregoing is a general summary, holders are advised
to consult their own tax advisors with respect to their income tax
as well as French tax consequences of the ownership of shares
applicable in their particular tax situations.
TOTAL and its shareholders
Information for overseas shareholders
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