VAT in France

French VAT is the TVA (taxe sur la valeur ajoutée). A company registered in France charges it on most of its sales, recovers it on most of its costs and settles the difference through periodic returns. A business established abroad can also need a French VAT number without a French company, for example when it holds stock in France or sells to French consumers, and a business from outside the EU with no permanent establishment in France that carries on a taxable activity must appoint a tax representative established in France. The standard rate is 20 percent, with reduced rates of 10, 5.5 and 2.1 percent for listed goods and services. The reverse charge, sales to other EU countries and distance sales to consumers are where invoices most often go wrong.

Firms offering VAT in France

ADEKI

Accounting firm · Boutique firm

Lyon

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +3 more

Languages: French · English

View profile of ADEKI

Astria

Accounting firm · Boutique firm

Paris

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +4 more

Languages: French · English · German

View profile of Astria

COGEP

Accounting firm · Medium-sized firm

Lyon

  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • VAT
  • +2 more

Languages: French · English

View profile of COGEP

Easton

Accounting firm · Medium-sized firm

Lyon

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +3 more

Languages: French · English

View profile of Easton

Eurex

Accounting firm · Medium-sized firm

Paris

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +5 more

Languages: French · English

View profile of Eurex

In Extenso

Accounting firm · Medium-sized firm

Lyon

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +5 more

Languages: French · English · Spanish · Italian

View profile of In Extenso

INELYS

Accounting firm · Medium-sized firm

Lyon

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +4 more

Languages: French · English

View profile of INELYS

Roche & Cie

Accounting firm · Boutique firm

Lyon

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +2 more

Languages: French · English · Italian · Russian

View profile of Roche & Cie

AUGEFI

Accounting firm · Medium-sized firm

Paris

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +4 more

Languages: French · English

View profile of AUGEFI

38 more firms offering VAT in France

Questions for a VAT adviser in France

The tax office normally sends the intra-community VAT number at registration, so ask how quickly the firm sets up your online account and first return. Ask how often returns will be due and who prepares the statement of sales to other EU countries. If you sell online across borders, ask how the firm treats the EU one-stop shop and whether it files that return too. Check what it costs when the tax office asks to see invoices.

VAT firms on Accountanty

Of the 62 firms on Accountanty that handle VAT in France, 54 are accounting firms, seven are law firms and one is a corporate service provider. Thirty-eight are small, 21 medium-sized and three part of large networks. French is spoken at 51, English at 42 and Italian at 14, and 45 of the 62 say they serve foreign clients. Paris accounts for 32, Lyon for 17 and Nice for 11. For the books behind each return, see accounting in France.

Frequently asked questions

Does a foreign company need a French VAT number?

It can, even without a French entity, if it stores goods in France, sells to French consumers or makes certain other supplies there. Have an adviser check your flows before the first sale, as invoices issued without the right number are hard to put right later.

Which languages do VAT advisers in France on Accountanty offer?

French at 51 of the 62 firms and English at 42. Italian is offered by 14, and Russian and Spanish by six each, which helps if your finance team works in one of those languages.

Other services in France

Accountants by city in France

Setting up a company in France: the guide and every firm

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules, rates and fees change: check them with the official sources linked on this page or with a qualified adviser before you act.