93% des Entreprises vont se prendre une amende en septembre

In September 2026, 93% of French companies face fines, not for fraud, but for continuing to send invoices as PDF files via email, a method that will no longer be compliant. The speaker, who also used to send PDF invoices, discovered this upcoming change and the associated penalty of 50 euros per non-compliant invoice, potentially amounting to 5,000 euros per month for a company issuing 100 invoices. This reform mandates electronic invoicing for all business-to-business transactions. The new reform, effective from September 1, 2026, will require all 4.5 million French businesses, regardless of size or legal structure (auto-entrepreneurs, freelancers, SMEs, SARL managers), to be capable of receiving electronic invoices. A common misconception is that a PDF sent by email already qualifies as an electronic invoice. However, this is incorrect. A PDF is considered merely a "photo" of an invoice, readable by humans but not by computers as structured data. Even the presence of a QR code does not make it a compliant electronic invoice. The state demands a special format: a structured file, often still a PDF, but one that allows a computer to directly read all fields such as amount, VAT, SIREN number, and date. Essentially, the state wants the source file, not just an image. The change extends beyond just the format; it redefines the entire invoicing process. Currently, businesses create an invoice, convert it to PDF, and send it directly to the client. This simple, direct, and free method will no longer be sufficient. From September 2026, businesses must use an approved platform (PA), which acts as a state-certified intermediary. Instead of sending an invoice directly to the client, it will be sent to the business's PA. This PA will then consult a directory to send the invoice to the client's PA, which in turn delivers it to the client. Simultaneously, fiscal data is automatically transmitted to the tax authorities. This system is likened to a certified post office for invoices, with the PA handling all communication, including with the tax authorities. The speaker highlights that 93% of businesses are currently unprepared for this change. He recounts his own experience, noting that his previous system, using Stripe for PDF invoice generation and automatic sending, would no longer be compliant because Stripe is not an approved platform. He realized that existing invoicing tools, whether Stripe, spreadsheets, or traditional software, would likely be insufficient. His initial search for a free state-provided tool proved fruitless. The public portal (PPF), initially intended for both sending and receiving invoices, has been stripped of most of its functionality due to technical complexities and now primarily serves as a directory. Therefore, businesses must rely on a private approved platform, which often integrates with existing accounting and invoicing software. The speaker's accountant advised him to consolidate his invoicing and accounting on a single platform, PennyLane, to avoid discrepancies and synchronization issues that could arise from using separate tools (e.g., Conto for invoicing and PennyLane for accounting). The accountant emphasized that the PA also plays a crucial role in "e-reporting," which involves sending transaction information to the tax administration at the end of the year, simplifying the accountant's work. A key factor in the speaker's choice of PennyLane was its API integration, specifically its connector with Make (formerly Integromat), an automation platform he already used. This allowed him to automate his entire invoicing process. He contacted PennyLane, who agreed to sponsor this video. He reiterates that any invoicing software can be used, as long as it is an approved platform. Google Sheets and Excel are not on this list. The speaker then demonstrates the PennyLane interface, which serves as his approved platform for both sending and receiving invoices. It allows him to connect bank accounts, communicate with his accountant, and view all transactions, purchase, and sales invoices. To become compliant, businesses must declare their chosen PA to the state. PennyLane offers an onboarding process where users input their SIREN number, confirm their legal representation, and electronically sign, after which PennyLane handles the declaration to the state. Once declared, other businesses (like large corporations such as EDF or Free) can send electronic invoices directly to the user's PA, eliminating the need to manually retrieve invoices. Creating an invoice in PennyLane functions like any electronic invoicing tool. After inputting client and service details, the user can either send the invoice directly via PennyLane (which manages the compliant sending process) or download it as a PDF. The speaker clarifies that a PDF downloaded from an approved platform like PennyLane is indeed a valid electronic invoice. This is because it is not a "normal" PDF; it contains embedded metadata, essentially a hidden XML file with structured data (amount, VAT, SIREN). This format is known as Factur-X. He contrasts this with a standard PDF from Stripe, which lacks these metadata. To help others verify their invoices, the speaker created a simple online tool (factureobligatoire.fr) where users can upload a PDF to check if it's in the Factur-X format. He demonstrates how his old Stripe PDF fails the check, while a new PDF from PennyLane is detected as Factur-X, albeit with a note about missing client information he intentionally omitted for the demonstration. While he has achieved compliance, the speaker goes a step further by automating the entire invoice management process using Make. His automation workflow begins with a sale on Stripe, which triggers the creation of a client and then an invoice in PennyLane. PennyLane automatically handles the compliant sending. Additionally, the workflow updates his emailing software, logs any errors in a Google Sheet, downloads the invoice, sends it to the client via Gmail, and finally updates the invoice status. He cautions users to verify the first few automated invoices to ensure accuracy. Regarding invoice reception, PennyLane or any other PA should theoretically manage it. The official calendar indicates that large companies and intermediate-sized enterprises (ETI) must manage both reception and emission, while SMEs and micro-enterprises are only obligated to manage reception initially. Emission will become mandatory later. The fine for non-compliance, initially 15 euros, has increased to 50 euros per non-compliant invoice, capped at 15,000 euros per year. The state has included a "benevolence clause," meaning no fine for a first infraction, provided the business becomes compliant within 30 days. The speaker expresses concern that such a technical and automated system could lead to fines for seemingly minor omissions, like a missing field in a Factur-X invoice. In summary, to be compliant by September 2026, businesses must choose an approved platform and declare it to the state (which the PA usually handles). For those seeking further automation, integrating the PA with tools like Make can streamline the entire invoicing workflow. The speaker promotes PennyLane, offering a discount code for 3 months free. He concludes by recommending other videos on using AI for invoice generation and other relevant topics.