The implementation of B2B electronic invoicing in France will begin in 2023 and will culminate in 2025.
The French government continues to make progress in its plan to implement B2B electronic invoicing in the country. After announcing this obligation at the end of 2020, the Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP) has now published new details to be taken into account to get ready for the arrival of the B2B e-invoice in France.
What model will B2B e-invoicing follow in France?
France will follow a clearance model for electronic invoicing. Clearance models are characterised by requiring real-time communication with the country’s tax authority. This model is the most commonly used in Latin American countries. It is also the model used in Italy with its SdI.
However, the DGFiP has decided to follow the Mexican model, a successful model recognised worldwide, which is slightly different from the Italian model. This is what the e-invoice flow will be like in France:
- The company creates and issues an electronic invoice which it must be sent to a certified supplier (Plateforme Privée Certifiée (PPC)).
- The PPC must verify the invoice on the basis of the requirements of the DGFiP.
- Once the invoice is validated, the PPC will deliver it to the DGFiP and to its recipient.
In addition to the issued invoices, companies will also have to communicate the payment status of the invoice, B2C transaction data and cross-border transaction data.
Companies that do not connect to a Certified Provider will be able to report their invoices manually through the Chorus Pro portal. Chorus Pro is the French government’s e-invoicing platform already in use for B2G invoices.
The difference between the Italian model and the one France wants to implement is that in Italy companies connect directly with the tax authority. And in France, they will need a Certified Provider.
B2B electronic invoicing in France calendar
The country continues to advance in the implementation of B2B electronic invoicing with the same timetable it had already established. The electronic invoice will be compulsory progressively from 2023 to 2025, depending on the size of the company. On 1 January 2023, it will be mandatory for large companies. On 1 January 2024, medium-sized companies will have to be ready. Finally, on 1 January 2025, SMEs and micro-enterprises will be added.
Main objectives of electronic invoicing in France
Reducing and combating fraud are two of the objectives that many governments pursue when they plan to introduce electronic invoicing in a given territory. France is no exception. However, France also aims to improve and streamline its systems and thus optimise tax returns and refunds, where appropriate. Another of France’s objectives is to have a real-time snapshot of the country’s economic activity.
The leap to electronic invoicing also has benefits for businesses. The main advantage is the leap to the digitalisation of administration processes and, consequently, the reduction of manual work and the increase in the efficiency of teams.
Technical specifications
The French government has not yet published information on the technical specifications of this project. The first details about the format of the different tax documents, the conditions for certified suppliers and the periodicity of electronic declarations are expected to be published in September.
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