Update on French electronic invoices

Below is an update on the proposed rules for businesses (resident and non-resident) wishing to issue electronic French VAT invoices.

This guidance is based on the 2012 3^rd Finance Act which included provisions to bring the French VAT compliance regime in line with the EU 2^nd Directive on e-Invoices.  This provided the rules for e-invoices to be implemented by all member states on 1 January 2013.  The aim is to give equal legality to e-invoices as paper invoices.

• Companies must produce details of all procedures and controls over their e-invoice system covering who and how such invoices are produced.  This audit trail includes documenting the complete process from ordering, dispatch notes and accounting postings.
• PDF and emails may qualify as original invoices provided that follow the above procedures
• Companies using approved Electronic Data Interchanges and qualified e-signatures are exempted

Click for free French VAT info