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Registration-based taxes in France

If you're already using Shopify to sell in France, then you can update your tax settings to reflect your tax registrations by adding a VAT number. This change doesn't affect how tax is charged on your products.

When you update your tax settings, you're asked to provide your business's VAT number. After you add it, tax rates are automatically set that apply in the areas you've registered for.

Shopify Support can help you update your tax settings in your Shopify admin, but can't provide legal tax advice. If you need help changing your tax settings, then contact Shopify Support. If you need help understanding your tax obligations, then contact local tax authorities or a tax professional.

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What's a VAT number? Do I need one?

A VAT number, also referred to as a value-added tax identification number (VATIN), is an identifier used in France and throughout the EU. It's provided to you by a country's tax authority after you register with them. This number is issued by countries to allow merchants to charge value-added tax.

How do I know if I need to register to charge VAT in France?

If your sale of goods reaches 85,800 EUR or your sale of services reaches 34,400 EUR, then you're required to register to charge VAT. You can also register for VAT in advance of these thresholds. It's your responsibility to consult with local tax authorities or a tax professional to verify that you charge your customers the correct tax rates, and to ensure you file and remit your taxes correctly.

Do I have to register for a VAT number in other countries in the EU?

If you intend to sell to countries in the EU, then you might need to register with tax authorities in those regions or you can register for One-Stop Shop. The process varies depending on where your business is based and where you sell, and on individual government requirements. It's your responsibility to determine where you need to register to charge VAT.

If you have a significant presence in a country, then you should contact that country's tax authority to confirm whether you need to register to collect taxes.

How do I register for a VAT number?

  1. Obtain the form: eCommerce merchants can fill out the form using the French tax authorities' online portal or by visiting the local tax office (Centre des Impôts).
  2. Complete the form: Fill out the necessary information on the form, providing accurate details about your business, such as name, address, and contact information.
  3. Gather supporting documents: These documents might include proof of identity, proof of address, business registration documents, and other relevant paperwork.
  4. Submit the form: Ensure that you have included all the required information before submitting it to the local tax office (Centre des Impôts) or using the instructions provided by the French tax authorities for online submission, if available.

The registration process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks for the French tax authorities to review and process your application.

After your registration is approved, you will receive your VAT number from the French tax authorities. This number is essential for collecting and reporting VAT on your sales in France.

The registration process might involve additional requirements or steps depending on your specific business circumstances. It's your responsibility to consult with a tax professional or local tax authorities for any specific questions or concerns during the registration process.

How do I register to charge taxes in an EU country?

If you need to register to charge taxes in an EU country, then you can contact that country's tax authorities.

After you've registered, add your VAT number on the Taxes page.

Steps:

  1. From the Shopify admin, go to Settings > Taxes and duties.
  2. In the Countries/regions section, click European Union.
  3. In the VAT on sales within the EU section, click Collect VAT.
  4. Select a country in which you are registered.
  5. In VAT number, enter your VAT number.
  6. Click Collect VAT.
  7. Optional: To add more regions and account numbers, click Collect VAT.

You can delete or change your registrations or account numbers with the ... button next to the country name and account number in the Tax registrations section.

Will I be able to override tax settings?

Yes. For more information, refer to Tax overrides and exemptions.

Where can I go for more help?

Shopify Support can help you with how to change your settings but can't advise you about whether you should change your settings. If you need help determining whether you should register with VAT member countries and charge taxes to your customers, then your best resource is a local expert, such as an accountant or financial advisor. You can also contact individual country tax authorities directly.

What do I need to know about selling in the EU?

If you want to collect VAT at checkout, then you need to register for a VAT number. To help you manage the complexity of registering for a VAT number, reporting your sales, and remitting VAT, the EU has introduced the One-Stop Shop scheme (OSS) for merchants in the EU and the Import One-Stop Shop scheme (IOSS) for merchants importing into the EU. If you're not sure whether you should apply to the OSS, then contact a local tax professional.

After you receive your OSS number, you need to add it to your tax registration in your Shopify admin. Before you add your OSS number to your tax registration, make sure that you've set up a shipping profile for the European Union.

If you don't charge VAT and duties during the checkout process, then your customer pays them to the shipping carrier upon delivery.

Setting up your taxes

Steps:

  1. From the Shopify admin, go to Settings > Taxes and duties.
  2. In the Countries/regions section, click European Union.
  3. On the VAT on sales within the EU page, click Collect VAT.
  4. Select how you're registered for VAT.
    • If you've registered for the OSS scheme and you plan to submit a single VAT return for all sales to customers in EU member countries, then select One-Stop Shop registration.
    • If your store makes yearly sales of 10,000 EUR or less and you plan to submit a VAT return to your local tax authority, then select Micro-business exemption. The micro-business exemption is not available if you have more than one VAT registration.
    • If you plan to submit a VAT return directly to the tax authorities of EU member countries that you ship to, then select Country-specific registration.
  5. Click Next.
  6. Do one of the following:
    • If you selected One-Stop Shop registration, then enter your VAT number from the country where you're registered, and click Collect VAT. If you need to add additional VAT registrations, then click Add country on the VAT on sales within the EU page.
    • If you selected Micro-business exemption, then enter your VAT number from your home country, and click Collect VAT.
    • If you selected Country-specific registration, then enter your VAT number from the country where you're registered, and click Collect VAT. If you need to add additional VAT registrations, then click Add country on the VAT on sales within the EU page.
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