Automated VAT Return: 5 Minutes Instead of Half a Day

AI prepares your VAT return from your issued and received invoices. Zero risk of error, zero penalties.

• The problem it solves
• The solution: Pennylane, Indy (ex-Georges)
• Real-world example: A tradesperson on the simplified actual-cost scheme
• How to implement this solution
• Alternatives and comparison
• Available funding to finance this investment
• Conclusion

The problem it solves

Every day, SMEs and tradespeople waste time and money on tasks that technology can automate. 2–4 hours per month, plus the risk of errors and penalties — that's exactly what this solution eliminates. Time spent on these tasks is time not invested in business development, customer relationships, or innovation.

The solution: Pennylane, Indy (ex-Georges)

Pennylane is one of the most accessible tools in this category. It takes just a few hours to set up, requires no advanced technical skills, and the return on investment is visible from the very first month.

How it works

The tool integrates with your existing systems (email, calendar, CRM, accounting software) and automates repetitive tasks. The AI learns from your habits and improves over time. You stay in control of the important decisions — the AI handles the rest.

Key benefits

• 24/7 availability: the tool keeps working even when you're on a job or taking the weekend off
• Zero data entry errors: the system never gets numbers or dates wrong
• Scalability: your volume can triple with no significant extra cost
• Full traceability: everything is recorded and instantly retrievable

Real-world example: A tradesperson on the simplified actual-cost scheme

A tradesperson on the simplified actual-cost VAT scheme used to spend half a day every month preparing their VAT return: gathering invoices, calculating collected and deductible VAT, checking rates. With Indy, the return is prepared automatically from the invoices already in the system. The tradesperson reviews the summary in 5 minutes and submits. No more calculation errors, no more late filings.

How to implement this solution

Step 1: Assessment (1 day)

Step 2: Free trial (1–2 weeks)

Step 3: Rollout (1–2 weeks)

Step 4: ROI measurement (months 1–3)

Alternatives and comparison

Several solutions exist in this category: Pennylane, Indy (ex-Georges). The right choice depends on your size, budget, and existing tech stack. For an SME with fewer than 20 employees, the simplest solution is often the best — team adoption matters more than advanced features.

Available funding to finance this investment

As a French SME, you may be eligible for several support schemes:

• France Num: digital vouchers worth €500 to €6,500 for the digitalisation of micro and small businesses
• Crédit Impôt Innovation (CII): reclaim 20% of your innovation expenditure
• OPCO: funding for training linked to the tool
• BPI France: innovation loans and digital transformation grants

Want to go further? Check out our Digital Transformation for SMEs: The Ultimate 2026 Guide, which covers the full picture.

Conclusion

At €20–60/month with savings of €200–400/month and zero tax penalties, the maths speak for themselves. This solution is one of the "quick wins" every SME or tradesperson should prioritise. The risk is virtually zero thanks to free trials, and the gains are immediate and measurable.