TVA Invoice Format in France: Complete Guide for Small Businesses

Getting the TVA invoice format right in France is essential for compliance with Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP). An incorrectly formatted invoice can mean your clients can't claim input tax credits, and your business faces penalties during audits.

This guide explains the exact format requirements, walks through a calculation example, and shows you how to set up compliant invoices in minutes.

What Is a TVA Invoice?

A TVA invoice is a formal document that shows the TVA charged on a sale. It serves as proof of the transaction for both seller and buyer, and enables TVA-registered buyers to claim input tax credits from DGFiP.

A TVA invoice is a formal document that shows the TVA charged on a sale. It serves as proof of the transaction for both seller and buyer, and enables TVA-registered buyers to claim input tax credits from DGFiP.

Required Fields on a TVA Invoice

Every TVA invoice in France must clearly display:

Every TVA invoice in France must clearly display:

• The words "Tax Invoice" prominently displayed
• Seller's business name, address, and SIREN/SIRET
• Buyer's name, address, and SIREN/SIRET (for B2B)
• Invoice number (unique and sequential)
• Invoice date and tax point
• Line-item descriptions with quantities and unit prices
• Subtotal before TVA
• TVA rate applied: 20% standard, 10% intermediate, 5.5% reduced, 2.1% super-reduced
• TVA amount
• Total payable including TVA

TVA Calculation Example

For a service worth €10,000 in France:

For a service worth €10,000 in France:

• Subtotal: €10,000
• TVA (20% standard, 10% intermediate, 5.5% reduced, 2.1% super-reduced): calculated on the subtotal
• Total: subtotal + TVA

Always show the TVA as a separate line item — never bundle it into the price without disclosure.

Common Format Mistakes

Common Format Mistakes includes: Missing "SIREN/SIRET" — makes the invoice invalid for input credits Not labelling the document as "Tax Invoice"

• Missing "SIREN/SIRET" — makes the invoice invalid for input credits
• Not labelling the document as "Tax Invoice"
• Using old TVA rates
• Bundling TVA into prices without a clear breakdown
• Non-sequential or duplicated invoice numbers

Free Templates for French Businesses

Invoicemonk's invoice generator provides pre-built templates with all DGFiP-required fields. Select your country, add your SIREN/SIRET, and the platform handles TVA calculations automatically.

Invoicemonk's invoice generator provides pre-built templates with all DGFiP-required fields. Select your country, add your SIREN/SIRET, and the platform handles TVA calculations automatically.

Digital vs Paper Invoices

DGFiP accepts digital invoices provided they contain all mandatory elements and can be produced for audit.

DGFiP accepts digital invoices provided they contain all mandatory elements and can be produced for audit. France is implementing mandatory e-invoicing via the PPF (Portail Public de Facturation) and accredited PDP (Plateformes de Dématérialisation Partenaires). Large enterprises must comply from September 2026, mid-sized from September 2027, and SMEs/micro from September 2028. B2B e-invoicing uses Factur-X (hybrid PDF/XML based on CII) and UBL formats.

Using invoicing software ensures consistency and reduces errors compared to manual formatting.