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Billing - digital
The generalization of electronic invoicing postponed to September 1, 2026
Publié le 10 février 2023 - Mise à jour le 05 janvier 2024 - Legal and Administrative Information Directorate (Prime Minister)
Originally planned on 1er July 2024, the obligation for companies established in France to issue and receive electronic invoices will apply progressively from 1er September 2026.
Since 1er in january 2021, companies are required to submit their invoices to the public sector electronically. To do this, they use the portal Chorus Pro. This issue of electronic invoices will concern all transactions between companies subject to VAT, established in France.
Deferral of the obligation to issue and receive electronic invoices
In order to guarantee the best possible conditions for the transition to e-invoicing of companies, the 2024 budget has set a new timetable for the implementation of this reform.
L'obligation to issue electronic invoices will be issued:
- the 1er september 2026 for large companies and mid-cap companies;
- the 1er september 2027 for small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) and micro-companies.
L'obligation to receive electronic invoices will apply for all companies from 1er september 2026.
The dates laid down in this timetable may be extended, if necessary, by a maximum of six months.
FYI
This calendar will also be used for setting up the transmission of the company's transaction data.
Please note
The dates laid down in this timetable may be extended, if necessary, by no more than 3 months.
Reminder
Electronic invoices will transit through a platform used by the issuer and the recipient of the invoice. This can be the Chorus Pro portal or a partner dematerialization platform (PDP) accredited by the tax administration. As such, a registration service dedicated to PDPs opened in may 2023.
Scope of e-invoicing
As indicated above, electronic invoicing concerns all transactions between companies established in France and liable to VAT. The following are therefore subject to electronic invoicing:
- the supply of goods or services in France by a taxable person to another taxable person which is not exempt from VAT;
- the advance payments relating to those operations;
- the public auction of second-hand goods, works of art, collectors' items and antiques.
New mandatory particulars
These amendments are accompanied by new information to be added to the invoice:
- the SIREN number;
- the address of delivery of the goods, where different from the address of the customer;
- information that the transactions on which an invoice is issued consist exclusively of supplies of goods or services or consist of both categories of transactions;
- the payment of the tax on the basis of debits, where the supplier has opted for it.
Securing and preserving electronic invoices
The 2023 budget allows for the use of qualified electronic seals to secure electronic invoices. This stamp is used by legal persons to guarantee the authenticity of the origin, the integrity of the content and the legibility of the invoice. It is used to certify that the creator of the stamp is indeed the originator of the document.
It has also been stated that documents (including invoices) drawn up or received in electronic form must be kept in this form for a period of 6 years. This period shall run from the date on which the invoice was drawn up.
Please note
The conditions for issuing, stamping and storing electronic invoices will shortly be specified by decree.
A transition to prepare for company
In order to be ready when this major change takes place, companies must identify the players involved in this reform and take stock of the situation in order to know what changes are to be made. The company will also have to adapt its invoice processing and therefore choose an electronic invoice receiving platform. These changes should be incorporated into the company's billing and accounting organization.
To this end, the State Agency for Financial Informatics (AIFE) has published a video summarizing the terms and deadlines of business-to-business e-invoicing and e-reporting.
In addition, the Electronic Invoicing Mission of the Directorate General of Public Finance (DGFIP) has published fact sheets for SMEs and micro-companies:
- PREAMBLE
- SHEET 1: What will happen to my company in terms of billing?
- SHEET 2: Will my company be required to bill electronically?
- SHEET 3: When should my company be ready to receive electronic invoices? And to issue them?
- SHEET 4: What are the first steps for my e-invoicing company?
- SHEET 5: What documentation is available? Where can I find more information?
Specific objectives
The objectives of this important change are multiple for tax administration:
- combat VAT fraud more effectively;
- improving the competitiveness of companies through dematerialization. This allows for a reduction in payment delays and thus a reduction in the administrative burden;
- simplifying, in the long term, VAT reporting obligations through the pre-filling of declarations;
- Improve real-time knowledge of company activity.
Application in the Overseas Communities (COM) and Overseas Departments (DOM)
Operators established in COM (French Guiana, Mayotte, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, Saint-Barthélemy, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna) and the French Southern and Antarctic Lands are not not concerned by electronic invoicing, VAT not being applicable to it. However, the transactions of the taxable person established in mainland France fall within the scope of e-reporting (transmission of transaction data to the tax authorities).
Operators established in DOM (Guadeloupe, Martinique and Reunion) are, concerned by electronic invoicing and e-reporting, VAT being applicable in these departments. However, e-invoicing does not apply for Guyana and Mayotte.
Additional topics
General Directorate of Public Finance
General Directorate of Public Finance
Ministry of Economy
France Num