The Finance Bill for 2024 sets out a new timetable for the rollout of electronic invoicing reform within companies. The roll-out will be phased in gradually from September 1, 2026. Here's an overview of the key points and important dates concerning electronic invoicing.
The players and operations involved
Since 2020, companies have been required toissue digital invoices in order to send their payment requests, via Chorus pro, for contracts entered into by the State, local authorities and public establishments.Article 26 of the amended Finance Act for 2022 plans to eventually extend this measure to invoices issued by companies subject to VAT in France.
Electronic invoicing applies to all purchases and sales of goods and/or services between companies established in France and subject to VAT, whenever these transactions take place on French territory.
The October 7, 2022 decree defines the terms and conditions for implementing the obligation to issue, receive and transmit dematerialized invoices.
Postponement of the generalization of electronic invoicing
Initially scheduled for July 1, 2024, the widespread introduction of electronic invoicing for companies located in France has been postponed to a later date. Jérôme Fournel, Director General of Public Finances, who took part in the plenary session of the Congrès des experts-comptables on September 29 via videoconference, said that the timetable for rolling out the reform would be detailed during the work to adopt the Finance Act for 2024.
Jérôme Fournel spoke at the meeting about the reasons for the postponement of the reform: " Companies, even if they are gradually maturing, are still far from ready. Even the very large ones. The second reality is that, technically, we weren't ready.
Two generalization phases
The first part of the Finance Bill for 2024, adopted on October 19, 2023, specifies the phase in which electronic invoicing will become widespread.
Two key dates are worth remembering:
- September 1, 2026
This date marks the obligation for all companies, whatever their size, to receive electronic invoices.
From September 1, 2026, large companies, ETIs and VAT groups will have to issue electronic invoices and transmit certain information relating to commercial transactions not covered by electronic invoicing (e-reporting).
- September 1, 2027
September 1, 2027 is the date from which SMEs and micro-enterprises (non-members of a VAT group) will have to issue electronic invoices and comply with the obligation to transmit certain data to the tax authorities.
To issue or receive electronic invoices, the players concerned can use a partner dematerialization platform (PDP) or the Chorus Pro public invoicing portal. E-reporting transaction data must be transmitted by these same intermediaries.