Since the introduction of new invoicing rules, the technical and especially legal conditions have been defined so that companies can dematerialise invoicing and make estimated savings of almost 60% of invoice processing costs.

However, the highly complex legislation governing this invoicing method coupled with the technical constraints that may weigh upon companies desiring to implement a dematerialised invoicing system, gives rise to many questions. Not all of the uncertainties have been addressed and the risks relating to use of a non-conforming dematerialised invoicing solution remain (notably the rejection of the right to recover VAT shown on an electronic and/or dematerialised invoice).

Dematerialised invoicing vs. electronic invoicing
Dematerialised invoices are presented as invoices using a structured file based on a predefined format (EDI, ASP, etc.).

Electronic invoices are generally in Word, PDF or another file format and secured by means of a digital signature supported by a digital certificate.

Benefits
The implementation of a dematerialised invoicing or electronic invoicing solution has many avantages:

• Cost saving of almost 60% of the processing costs compared to paper invoices -
• Increased transaction security 
• Efficient integration of invoicing data in the issuer’s and recipient’s IT systems
• Rationalisation of the invoicing process, thereby eliminating occurrence of omissions relating to the information required on invoices

Our Expertise

In order to meet companies’ expectations, our teams are positioned to provide global services:

• In the scope of preliminary groundwork: defining needs, drafting and negotiating different contracts required by the implementation of electronic invoicing or dematerialised invoicing (services agreements, interchange specification agreements, etc.)
• Legal and tax assistance in the implementation of electronic invoicing and dematerialised invoicing solutions
• Project monitoring 
• Diagnosis and compliance upgrades for existing solutions with economic, legal and tax law and regulations applying to electronic invoicing and dematerialised invoicing (compliance analysis with the summarized list, partner file, log file, etc.) 
• Raising awareness of the teams involved regarding tax and legal obligations applicable to electronic invoicing and dematerialised invoicing 
• Assistance during tax inspections of electronic invoicing and dematerialised invoicing systems (and during compliance upgrade stages further to an IT investigation without notice).

Our Approach 

• A personalized and multidisciplinary approach taking into account each company’s specificities: 
• A global approach integrating economic, legal, technical and operational information required to smoothly implement the project 
• Developing synergies between all of the company’s departments (accounting, finance, legal, taxation and IT) enabling each department to fully the challenges and constituent element for implementating electronic invoicing.

Our Clients

Large French and international groups and medium-sized companies have already given up their trust in this field. We have provided our expertise in all business sectors, notably in mass marketing, the food industry, the car industry, pharmaceuticals, petrochemical engineering, etc.

Our team

In the scope of each project, we provide our clients with teams of lawyers specialised in the relevant fields of taxation including VAT, contract law, industry & commerce regulations, and information technology taxation.