Invoice Lifecycle

What is the invoice lifecycle?

Under France's new e-invoicing reform from September 2026, an invoice is no longer simply sent and then paid. It moves through a defined series of statuses, from submission all the way to payment. Each status is reported so that both the business and the tax authorities can see in real time, where an invoice is in the process. 

How the invoice lifecycle works

As an e-invoice moves through the system, its status is updated at each single step. Typical statuses include Submitted, when the invoice has been sent, Received, Refused, when the recipient declines it, for example because of an error, Rejected, for a technical or validation failure, and Payment received. Some statuses are mandatory and must be reported, while others are recommended and simply give extra visibility. Your accredited platform (PA, such as Inexchange) records and transmits these statuses automatically as the invoice progresses.

Why the invoice lifecycle matters

The lifecycle gives both parties a shared, up-to-date view of each invoice, which reduces disputes and helps speed up payment. For the tax authorities (DGFiP), it provides real-time transparency over transactions. For your business, it means fewer invoices that get lost or stuck, and a clear audit trail from submission through to payment.

What it means for your business

You do not have to manage these status codes manually. Your accredited platform tracks each invoice through its lifecycle and reports the required statuses on your behalf. In practice, you get a clear, real-time view of where your invoices stand, while a provider like Inexchange handles the underlying status reporting and keeps you compliant.