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How do you say ‘I’m back’ in French?

May 10, 2007

"Je suis de retour," according to Altavista’s online translation tool Babel Fish.

hallyday_cdWell, that’s what legendary French rocker Johnny Hallyday will say to his homeland fans on May 17. That’s when newly-elected French president Nicolas Sarkozy will be sworn in. When that happens, Hallyday believes it will be financially safe for him to return home.

Hallyday moved to Switzerland last year because he was tired of paying what he considered exorbitant French taxes. Now he’s convinced that Sarkozy will follow through on his campaign promise to cut taxes.

Hallyday’s wife Laetitia told the media, "Nicolas Sarkozy’s policies will certainly lead us to come back to France." In another interview with French radio, the missus elaborated on the tax reasons for the couple’s return: "Nicolas wants to limit the taxes to 50 percent. That means working half the year for the state, and not three-quarters of the year. We love France and we love our life in France."

Mrs. H’s use of the Sarkozy’s first name apparently was not just for show. Her husband and the politician are such good friends that Hallyday has already crossed the border, at least temporarily, to celebrate with Sarkozy at a post-election dinner in Paris.

Whatever else you might think of the French, you gotta love their flair for the dramatic … as well as a lot of their food (I’m thinking pastries here, not escargot) and that champagne I’m sure Hallyday and Sarkozy used to toast the election victory!

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TAX-SAVVY WAYS 
TO WRAP UP 2026

It’s over! With October’s extended filing deadline behind us, it is now time to focus on year-end moves to reduce your 2026 tax bill. 

You’ll find ways to do just that on the Tax Tips page (see the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of the blog), as well as the separate tax tip pages for each month, notably October through December. If you’re on the Tax Tips page, you’ll find a monthly list at the end of this column. If you’re on another blog page, you can head straight to the October tips; at the bottom of that tips page you’ll find links to all the other 11 months’ collections of tax advice.

Not to spoil what you’ll find in that tax advice, but it does cover such things as tax deductions for charitable donations, investment moves that could reduce tax due, and ways to max out your tax-favored retirement savings. 

Finally, as the year winds down, things get hectic. There are lots of other things to occupy our time, like the much more fun upcoming holidays. But don’t lose sight of taxes, since timing is key. To be of use, most tax moves must be made by the end of the tax year. That’s Thursday, Dec. 31, which also is the last business day of the year. 

So that you don’t miss that final tax year deadline, also keep an eye on the countdown clock below. It will keep you on top of just how much time is left to make important, tax-saving moves. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

Comments
  • I would say “Je suis retournée,” and I am sure that I am correct.
    If I were him I wouldn’t go back though. Oui, les pâtisseries sont délicieuses, mais quand on paie soixante-quinze pourcent de leur argent au gouvernement, c’est simplement trop.

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