Module 219 min2229 wordsFree — no account
VAT credits, the certificate of compliance, blocks and penalties: when offsetting stops
The module’s worked examples, then cases to attempt before revealing their solution · 2 sections · 279 words · 3 min
Worked example
Marco's calendar
Marco files the VAT return, carrying a certificate of compliance, on 10 March 2026. The tenth day after is 20 March. In the F24 due on 16 March he may use up to 5,000 euros of the credit, if he has not already spent them this year; the remaining 27,000 euros become usable from 20 March, for instance in the F24 due on 16 April.
Practical case
The VAT credit of an installation company
An SRL has an annual 2025 VAT credit of 40,000 euros. On 16 February 2026, before filing the return, it has already offset 5,000 euros of it against January's withholdings. On 27 February 2026 it files the VAT return carrying a certificate of compliance. On 16 March it wants to offset a further 20,000 euros against February's contributions and withholdings. It has no overdue rolls or collection orders. Is the March offset allowed, from what date is the part above the threshold usable, and how much credit will be left?
Hint: Separate the portion within the yearly threshold from the portion above it, then count ten days starting from the day after filing.
Show the solution
The 5,000 euros used in February fall within the yearly threshold, so no starting date applies. The excess may be offset from the tenth day after filing: counting ten days from 27 February 2026, that is 28 February and then 1 to 9 March, leads to 9 March 2026. The certificate is in place and there are no overdue rolls, so on 16 March the 20,000-euro offset is allowed. Credit left: 40,000 − 5,000 − 20,000 = 15,000 euros, far below the 2-million annual cap.
Answer: Allowed, from 9 March 2026; 15,000 euros remain
Educational content, current with the sources cited. It does not replace advice tailored to your situation. These courses are neither certifying nor CPF-eligible: they prepare for no certification registered with the French RNCP or specific register.