Electronic invoicing is gradually becoming the norm for VAT-registered companies based in France. PPF, PDP, OD... This reform is accompanied by new terms that are not always well understood by professionals. Prepare your company now to implement it.
Widespread use of electronic invoicing
In accordance with the Finance Bill for 2024, from September 1, 2026, all companies will have to be able to receive electronic invoices. In addition, large and mid-sized companies will be obliged toissue electronic invoices.
From September 1, 2027, small and medium-sized businesses will be required toissue invoices in electronic format.
Theobligation to transmit transaction data to the tax authorities should be implemented in the same way.
The aim of the reform is to save time and money for the companies concerned, thereby boosting their competitiveness. Indeed, the generalization of electronic invoicing will also enable them to :
- make it easier to keep track of their invoices,
- reduce their payment times,
- simplify their administrative procedures,
- improve fraud detection.
What you need to know about billing software
As part of the generalization of the reform, companies with existing accounting software will be able to keep it. However, they will need to contact the software publisher to ensure that the solution offers a connector for the correct transmission of invoices and e-reporting data. Another point to check is whether the invoice transmission service is free of charge.
Companies with a low volume of invoices will be able to transmit them manually using a dedicated tool on the platforms, or by entering invoice data via the Public Invoicing Portal (PPF), which is based on the Chorus Pro platform. The PPF is a public operator offering free invoice exchange services.
On the other hand, professionals producing large volumes of invoices can use a dematerialization platform partner (PDP) or dematerialization operator (OD). The PDP is a private organization accredited by the French government, offering a range of services such as direct invoice payment and automated management processes. The OD supports companies in their digital transition. It handles exchanges with the PDP or PPF.
" To make a successful digital transition, you need two things: an invoicing system capable of issuing and receiving digital invoices, and a supplier capable of sending invoices between companies, either the PPF or a PDP," says Lionel Canesi, President of the French Association of Chartered Accountants and Auditors (ECF), interviewed by Les Echos.
Whatever your company's profile, we recommend that you start preparing for the transition to electronic invoicing now, by taking stock of your invoice flows and mapping them.