Compliance with French VAT rules depends on the timely and accurate submission of your transaction data. Missing deadlines or submitting incorrect data can result in penalties, additional fees, and complications with the French tax authorities.

This article explains the key deadlines, official tax office deadlines, why they matter, and what happens if you do not comply.

✅ Key Data Deadlines in France

All transaction data must be uploaded to your hellotax software account — never sent by email — to ensure accurate VAT filings.

Monthly Filing (Déclaration CA3 mensuelle)

• Data upload to hellotax: By the 4th of the following month
  • Example: January sales → upload by 4 February
• Official filing deadline (French tax authorities):
  • Between the 19th and 24th of the following month, depending on your assigned schedule

Quarterly Filing (Déclaration CA3 trimestrielle)

• Data upload to hellotax: By the 4th of the month following the quarter
  • Example: Q1 (Jan–Mar) → upload by 4 April
• Official filing deadline:
  • Between the 19th and 24th of the month following the quarter, depending on your assigned schedule

Annual VAT Return (Déclaration annuelle – CA12)

• Applies only under the simplified regime (rare for non-resident e-commerce sellers)
• Official filing deadline:
  • Typically May of the following year (exact date set by the tax authorities)

⚠️ Hellotax requires data by the 4th of the month to ensure VAT returns can be prepared and submitted on time in line with official deadlines.

⚠️ Why Meeting Deadlines Matters

Submitting your data on time ensures:

• Accurate VAT filings — all sales, refunds, and returns are included
• Efficient automated processing — the hellotax system relies on uploaded data
• Audit-ready records — French tax authorities may review prior periods
• Avoidance of penalties and interest

❌ Consequences of Late or Missing Data

Late uploads (after the 4th):

• Automatic filing may no longer be possible
• Manual processing is required by hellotax
• A €119 fee applies for each affected filing

Missing data (not uploaded at all):

• VAT returns cannot be submitted
• The French tax authorities may apply:
  • Late filing penalty (generally 5%)
  • Late payment interest (approx. 0.2% per month)
  • Estimated assessments if no declaration is submitted
• Repeated non-compliance may lead to additional administrative actions

💡 Best Practices to Stay Compliant

• Upload early: Ideally between the 1st–3rd of the month
• Use integrations: Connect marketplaces (Amazon, eBay) and webshops (Shopify, WooCommerce)
• Do not send data by email: Always upload via your hellotax account
• Check completeness: Include refunds, returns, manual orders, and stock movements
• Forward tax letters immediately: Send any communication from French tax authorities to your Account Manager

🤝 How hellotax Supports You

• Automated checks for missing or incomplete data
• Alerts for integration or upload issues
• Clear visibility of deadlines in your dashboard
• Manual support if deadlines are missed (with applicable fees)
• Full audit-ready storage of filings and confirmations

📌 Summary of Deadlines and Responsibilities

Meeting these deadlines is your responsibility, but hellotax provides the tools, support, and guidance to make compliance simple and stress-free.