What did the French authorities change when it came to the VAT registration process?

France has recently announced a major change in its VAT registration process, aimed at making it simpler and more convenient for businesses to carry out the formalities. The French government has shifted services related to VAT registration, changes of company details, and deregistration to the one-stop-shop portal "INPI." This move is intended to streamline the process and make it more accessible to businesses of all sizes.

However, despite the government's efforts to make the process more efficient, companies currently applying for VAT registration in France are experiencing delays in obtaining a VAT number. This is due to the fact that the INPI portal is experiencing a high volume of applications, leading to longer processing times.

For those who are already registered for VAT in France, there is no change to their reporting obligations. They will still need to file their VAT returns using the existing impots-gouv platform.

The INPI portal, which stands for the National Institute of Industrial Property (Institut national de la propriété industrielle), is a French government agency responsible for managing intellectual property rights in France. This includes patents, trademarks, and designs. The agency is also responsible for managing the French trademark register and providing information and support to businesses and entrepreneurs on intellectual property issues.

The French government's decision to move VAT registration services to the INPI portal is part of a wider effort to simplify and modernize the country's tax system. By centralizing services and making them more accessible, the government hopes to encourage more businesses to operate in France, ultimately boosting the country's economy.