Complete Guide to French Innovation Tax Credit (CII) Accreditation
What is CII Accreditation?
The Innovation Tax Credit (CII) Accreditation is an official document issued by the Directorate General for Enterprises (DGE) within the French Ministry of Economy and Finance. This accreditation certifies a company’s technical and human capabilities to participate in the design or realization of prototypes or pilot installations of new products as a subcontractor.
This accreditation allows subcontracting companies to enable their clients (principals) to benefit from the advantages of the Innovation Tax Credit (CII) for the services rendered. All companies, regardless of size, can apply for this accreditation, including associations, scientific experts, technicians, and foundations.
Why Obtain Innovation Tax Credit (CII) Accreditation?
CII Accreditation is a recognition of your expertise in innovation, highly sought after by principals. Companies commissioning work often turn to subcontractors holding CII Accreditation because they can include the subcontracting invoices in their own CII declaration.
For the subcontractor, this accreditation constitutes a powerful commercial argument to differentiate themselves in the market and attract new clients.
Obtain a Free Diagnosis of Your CII Eligibility
Wondering if you are eligible for the Innovation Tax Credit Accreditation? Obtain a free diagnosis within 48 hours to evaluate your eligibility.
How to Apply for Innovation Tax Credit (CII) Accreditation?
For your application, you must submit a complete file composed of:
- The Cerfa form N° 10198*08.
- A scientific file detailing your innovation project.
- Supporting documents such as your diplomas and CV.
Submitting the Application:
- If you are applying for accreditation alone, your application must be addressed to the DGE.
- If you are also seeking CIR accreditation in parallel, or if you already have it, your file should be submitted to the Ministry of Research, and the CII accreditation will be granted automatically if the CIR accreditation is approved.
Deadline and Validity of CII Accreditation
The accreditation application must be submitted to the relevant body before September 30th of the year of your first application. CII accreditation is valid for a period of 5 years.
If you wish to renew your accreditation, the application must be made before September 30th of the year following the last year granted.
AREAD's Support for Obtaining CII Accreditation
At AREAD, our consultants specialized in the Innovation Tax Credit (CII) support you throughout the process. We conduct an audit of your projects to select those eligible for CII accreditation and take charge of drafting the application file.
We also ensure administrative follow-up and liaison with the competent authorities to maximize your chances of obtaining the accreditation.
