From September 1, 2026, all French companies subject to VAT will have to accept electronic invoices. E-invoicing will become compulsory progressively between 2026 and 2027. To help those involved understand the reform more clearly, the DGFIP has published 14 information sheets that respond to preconceived ideas about electronic invoicing, and updated 9 explanatory sheets aimed at SMEs and micro-businesses.
Separating the true from the false when it comes to electronic invoicing
Already mandatory for public procurement, the general introduction of electronic invoicing, initially scheduled for July 1, 2024, has been postponed to 2026. The aim is to combat VAT fraud while improving business competitiveness.
The reform brings many changes for companies, including :
- the obligation to include new information on invoices (SIREN number, delivery address of goods, nature of transactions, debit tax payment terms);
- the obligation to keep electronic invoices for a minimum of 10 years;
- the obligation to record and transmit data via e-reporting.
To help them achieve these objectives, the electronic invoicing mission of the Direction générale des Finances publiques (DGFIP) has put 14 factsheets on line dealing with preconceived ideas about electronic invoicing. For example, it's wrong to think that a PDF invoice sent by e-mail is an electronic invoice. In fact, electronic invoices must comply with certain formalities and include mandatory information in a defined format. However, a PDF does not meet these criteria.
Another common misconception is that the payment data to be transmitted to the authorities corresponds to the means of payment used. On this subject, the DGFIP reminds us that payment data corresponds to data concerning the collection of a service or a deposit on a service. Consequently, the data to be transmitted are the date of collection and the amount collected. Companies that have opted to pay VAT on debits are only required to communicate data on the receipt of payments on account for services.
📝New information sheets answer the "received ideas" about electronic invoicing! https://t.co/D16PuOg3rN
- Cedef documentation (@DocCedef) April 3, 2024
The DGFIP (Direction générale des finances publiques) has published information sheets to separate the true from the false concerning this important change...
Updated information sheets for SMEs and micro-businesses
The DGFIP has updated the explanatory sheets created for SMEs and micro-businesses. These are presented in question-and-answer format. For companies wondering about the first steps to be taken with regard to electronic invoicing, the DGFIP recommends that they set up a working group, choose an intermediate platform before September 1, 2026 to receive invoices from their suppliers, and identify their needs in the context of the reform, particularly in relation to invoices issued.
In terms of the equipment and software required for electronic invoicing and e-reporting, the players affected by the reform will have to assess their needs on the basis of several criteria:
- their business,
- their customers,
- the number of transactions carried out daily,
- and the number of invoices issued.
Companies not using cash register or invoicing software will be able to enter data directly on the public invoicing portal.