Implications for Businesses and Tax Professionals France is continuing to modernise its tax legislation with the reorganisation of VAT into the “Code des Impositions sur les Biens et Services” (CIBS). The new structure will take effect from 1 September 2026. This reform does not change the substance of VAT rules; rather, it reorganises and clarifies...
Since 1 January 2026, all VAT-registered businesses in France carrying out Customs operations are required to use an EORI number based on their company SIREN. Until now, France had allowed EORI numbers to be issued using a company’s SIRET establishment number, meaning that several EORI numbers could exist for the same legal entity. As this...
Since 1 December 2025, all French Kbis extracts now include the EUID (European Unique Identifier), a single European identification number designed to harmonise company identification across the European Union. This development, implemented in line with Directive 2012/17/EU on the interconnection of business registers, marks an important step towards more reliable and secure legal information for...
Clarification for chain transactions The question of which reduced VAT rate applies to prepared food products often raises issues, especially in chain transactions involving several intermediaries. A recent clarification from the French Tax Authorities, published in BOI-RES-TVA-000205 on 19 November 2025, provides practical guidance for affected businesses. In a typical chain transaction, a franchisee sells...
What changes with the Conseil d’Etat ruling of 12 November 2025 Furnished residential rentals are normally exempt from VAT under Article 261 D(4) of the French Tax Code, whether they are long term, seasonal or short term. However, some rentals can fall within the scope of VAT when the services provided start to resemble hotel...
France – threshold maintained for 2025 On 3 November 2025, Law no. 2025 1044 was enacted, reinstating and stabilising the VAT exemption thresholds (“franchise en base”) for micro entrepreneurs and small businesses. This reverses the change initially planned under the 2025 Finance Act, which would have introduced a single € 25,000 threshold for all activities...
Nantes Administrative Court of Appeal – Decision of May 28, 2025 In a decision issued on 28 May 2025 (no. 24NT03194), the Nantes Administrative Court of Appeal ruled that a company cannot exercise its right to deduct VAT if it knew or should have known that its purchases were linked to a VAT fraud scheme....
France – Reduced VAT for renovation works – CJEU case PRIMISO and new BOFIP guidelines On 29 September 2025, the Administrative Court of Cergy Pontoise (SAS PRIMISO, no. 2306229) confirmed the French Tax Authorities’ strict approach to applying reduced VAT rates for renovation works. During a tax audit, the company’s use of reduced VAT rates...
Check the risks involved and the late payment interest applied in case you have not fulfilled your VAT obligations in time in a state of the European Union.
Recent Clarifications A ruling published in the BOFiP on 17 September 2025 provides important clarifications on the VAT rates applicable to household waste collection and treatment services. These services are often complex, and determining the correct VAT can be challenging, especially for mixed operations. The ruling confirms that the reduced 5.5% rate applies to: Services...
Judgment of the Bordeaux Administrative Court of Appeal, 16 September 2025 Under Article 259 A, 1° a of the French Tax Code, short-term rentals of means of transport are subject to French VAT when the vehicle is made available to the lessee on French territory. In this case, a French company had concluded bicycle rental...
Decision of the Administrative Court of Appeal of Marseille, 18 September 2025 In this case, several horse breeding and training stables had received income subject to VAT. Relying on CJEU case law, they sought reimbursement of the tax that had been incorrectly charged and collected. The Administrative Court of Appeal of Marseille clarified in its...
Extension of the Compliance Deadline The BOFiP update published on 2 October 2025 extends the compliance deadline for cash register software and systems to 31 August 2026. Under this measure, only a certificate issued by an accredited body will serve as proof of compliance, replacing the self-declaration previously issued by software publishers. Key implementation dates:...
