What should I do when I receive an audit letter?

1️⃣ Don’t ignore the letter

Audit letters always include deadlines. Missing these deadlines can lead to penalties — so it’s important to act quickly.

2️⃣ Read the letter carefully

Check:

• which period is being reviewed
• what information is required
• how to submit the documents
• the contact person at the tax office (DGFiP)

3️⃣ Collect the requested documents

Typical documents include:

• VAT returns and payment confirmations
• invoices (sales and purchases)
• sales reports from marketplaces and online shops
• OSS reports (if applicable)
• import and customs documents
• bank statements related to VAT transactions
• accounting records and summaries

📌 You may also need to provide additional documentation to explain:

• your business model
• differences between ECS (État récapitulatif TVA / DES) filings and annual declarations
• mismatches between submitted data and centrally reported data (e.g. EU or platform data)
• purchases and movement of goods

4️⃣ Keep copies of everything you send

Always store digital copies of all documents submitted for your own records.

5️⃣ Ask for help if you are unsure

If something is unclear, it is better to ask for clarification rather than make assumptions.

How hellotax can help

We can support you with:

✔ copies of VAT returns filed on your behalf
✔ VAT reports and summaries from our system
✔ explanations of how reported amounts were calculated
✔ coordination with your tax advisor (if applicable)

We are happy to clarify any VAT data we have submitted for you.

What hellotax cannot do

To remain compliant and protect you, there are limits to our role:

❌ we cannot communicate with the tax authorities as your legal representative (unless formally authorised)
❌ we cannot provide legal or audit defense services
❌ we cannot create or reconstruct documents that were not originally provided or recorded
❌ we cannot guarantee the outcome of the audit

In many cases, you may need a local French tax advisor to support you directly with the DGFiP.

If needed, we can help you understand what type of advisor is required and share your VAT data with them.

Does an audit mean I will receive a penalty?

Not necessarily.

Many audits result in:

• no changes, or
• only minor corrections

Penalties are usually applied only when:

• important information is missing
• VAT has been significantly underdeclared
• deadlines have been repeatedly missed
• deliberate misreporting is suspected

👉 Responding calmly, accurately, and on time significantly reduces risk.

How to reduce the chance of future audits

• file VAT returns on time
• ensure consistency between platforms and accounting data
• keep invoices and records well organised
• retain documentation for at least 10 years
• inform us of any business changes (new countries, warehouses, platforms, etc.)

📌 Good documentation is your best protection.

Need help?

If you’ve received an audit letter, please open a support ticket and attach:

• a copy of the letter
• the period covered by the audit
• any deadlines mentioned

Our team will review your request, explain the next steps, and provide any relevant VAT data we hold for you.

Key takeaway

An audit from the French tax authorities (DGFiP) is common and often routine.
It does not automatically mean something is wrong — but it does require careful and timely action.

hellotax is here to support you with your VAT data and guidance, helping you navigate the process as smoothly as possible.