Brussels, 18/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 17 October, the European Commission sent France a reasoned opinion warning letter asking it to change its tax rules for capital gains on precious metals, which discriminate at present against non-resident taxpayers. French legislation allows residents to opts for capital gains to be taxed at the tiered income tax level or to choose to be taxed at a set rate of 16% on the full value of the sale, but non-residents do not have the first option and hence often end up paying far more tax, particularly when they sell at a loss. The Commission says that French legislation therefore breaches the freedom of movement of capital. Following an initial warning letter in 2011, France pledged to change the rules, but nothing has yet been notified to the Commission in this connection. France now has two months to introduce the changes, failing which it can be sent to the European Court of Justice. (FG/transl.fl)