English language guide to l'auto entrepreneur updated

SINCE the turn of the year it has been estimated that around 120,000 people have signed up to the l'auto-entrepreneur system that makes it easier for individuals to start up a small business, without facing massive costs.

The system allows new start-ups to pay tax and social charges each month based upon their turnover and so alleviate some of the burdens of running a business.

And whilst the sign up procedure is not too complex an English language guide to the l'auto-entrepreneur system (.pdf) by translator Alison Morton will prove helpful.

Alison, who runs PBSS Translations, has followed the changes announced by the government as the system has progressed, with this being the third edition of her translation.

Feel free to print the document off and pass it to friends, but do make your own enquires in advance and you can start the registration process through the l'Auto Entrepreneur website.

Comments

[Cynthia in France]

Thanks so much for this great info. I'm an American living in the French Alps and I'm looking into starting a business here and all the info I can get in English is so appreciated. Keep it coming! Cynthia in France (Alia FranceVideosGal)

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Cynthia, hope it helps as the l'auto-entrepreneur system could prove very useful.
All the best, Craig

[Angela Alcorn]

Thanks so much for this post. It's exactly what I needed. :)

[cherie]

can any one tell me the catorgories of an auto entipreneur my husband is a builder and does most jobs but now after an accident can only do small works ie nothing to heavy? can you tell me the choices there are to choose thanks

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Cherie,
In the back of the .pdf download above there is a list of the different professions featuring the original French and English translation.
Hope this helps,
Craig

[jennifer]

AS I an a uk resident tax payer, can anyone tell me if I have to pay tax to the french or uk government when I do vide greniers. I am told that i should register as an auto entrenpreneur but I understand that I must be a french resident for this.

Can anyone help me as no-one seems to know?

Very grateful to you, Jennifer

[Glenn]

What an excellent site. I have two questions:

1) If both my wife and I work in the same (registered auto-entrepreneur) business, is our earnings ceiling doubled? (I suspect not)

2) Would the A-E scheme include full state health cover for my wife and I?

Appreciate any help available! Glenn

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Glenn, only individuals can be registered as an l'auto-entrepreneur, and any 'employee' can't be registered as one either. And you would be paying social charges towards health cover based upon turnover.
All the best, Craig

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Jennifer, if you live and work from the UK then you are considered UK resident. There are particular rules about residency, you can't decide yourself, so much will depend upon your individual circumstance.
This from the HMRC might help:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/hmrc6.pdf
All the best,
Craig

[devarajan]

Hi Am a french nationality holder but living in pondicherry (india)... can i become l'auto-entrepreneur by starting a buisness here in india

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Devarajan, I'm afraid the l'auto-entrepreneur system is only open to those people resident in France. Kind regards, Craig

[Megan]

Can anyone confirm for me that auto-entrepreneurs receive health coverage (the carte verte)? I see one makes contributions, but that doesn't quite assure me. Perhaps the coverage would be contingent on a certain level of income/taxes.
Thanks.

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Megan, you should receive health coverage via the carte vitale as long as you are paying into the auto-entrepreneur system.
Even those who have some slack periods will still be entitled, but if you do not make any contributions for a longer period of time you are likely to receive some form of communication.
There is more info, in French, on the social cover you will receive here:
http://www.lautoentrepreneur.fr/questions_reponses.htm#Couverture
All the best,
Craig

[Megan]

Thanks, Craig! Very reassuring.

[Sarah]

how can I check that someone is actually registered as an autoentrepreneur? He says he did so last week and is waiting for the proof but can start work now.

[CherryT]

Hi! I am about to begin claiming Chomage after being made redundant for economic reasons from my previous job. Can I continue to claim chomage whilst at the same time trying to set up as an Auto-Entrepreneur? Grateful for any advice! Thanks!

[Craig McGinty]

Hi CherryT, I would talk to the staff handling your unemployment claim as there is special assistance available for people who register on the auto-entrepreneur scheme whilst looking for work.
Hope this helps, Craig

[Rose]

I am currently being offered cash-in-hand for regular unskilled work 5-6 hours per week. I am keen to work legally + in the system, so would registering as an Auto-entrepreneur enable me to do this?

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Rose, you are definitely better off being properly registered. Whether you can apply to the auto-entrepreneur system depends upon the actual work you do. The downloadable guide and auto-e website will help you narrow down the job type you are in.
All the best, Craig

[nikola STRONG]

Hi,

Does anybody know if I register as an auto-entrepreneur will my husband and 2 children be covered for health cover aswell as me?

Thanks,

Nikki

[Ben]

WOW - great translation, however I think I need another translation into simple terms! My head hurst a bit!

I have a couple of questions as I want to start my business in January and am trying to research this carefully to see if it is actually worth doing.

Our household is a married couple. My wife earns well and is employed as French employee. I have not been working but am looking to start up my small business as a Graphic designer/Marketing consultant. (so should be inthe €32,000 euro 23% tax bracket I think?)

However our house hold income without me earning anything would be over the €25,000 euro bracket, does that mean I cannot use the pay as you go system and have to file my accounts with our household return? and I did read through but can't make out how this would effect the tax brackets?

Also I have my own carte vitale under my wife's payments, does this effect the payments I or she have to make and or do I get issued an alternative carte?

The other question is about the tax bracket after 3 years? do you automatically leave the auto entrepeneur system? I couldn't quite understand it?

Funny really I have been looking forward to getting back to work but am really quite scared about taking the first steps in case I get caught out somewhere!!

cheers all!

[katie]

Hi,

I originally registered a micro BNC back in Nov last year, but have switched to Auto Entrepreneur this year; and have made the May and October quarterly payments. Today I got a cotisations request from CIPAV for pension contributions of over €600 ( I nearly cried ) has the system not caught up yet, or am I going to have to find this extra money from somewhere ?

any advice most welcome
thanks

[Chris]

I'm hoping to set up a small business selling plants by post. Is this allowed under AE, or is it excluded as being somehow 'agricultural'?

[Jeannet]

So, if I understand correctly, it is enough to register to receive health insurance. Even if we are new to France and have not (been) registred before. Or do we need to apply for health, pension, or any of the other benefits with other organisations ?

[roger]

Could you tell me how I make a monthly return on line for auto entrepreneur,great translation and I am now registered,I now think that might have been the easy bit

[Keith]

If I register as an auto entrepreneur am I allowed to work outside France, so long as I declare all my income? For example could I teach English, sometimes in France, but also sometimes in other countries?

[Carol]

If my husband registers as auto entrepreneur will I be able to get a carte vitale, as his dependant? also what is the minimum earnings to join?

[Alexi]

is it possible for 2 people living at the same address to have 2 separate auto entrepreneurs. if so how does this work tax wise?

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Alexi, two people living at the same address could apply as auto-entrepreneurs, you would just complete the forms separately. If you are married or in a PACS then you would be taxed jointly.
Hope this helps, Craig

[Lee Aston]

For auto-entrepreneur help in English you can also try http://www.startbusinessinfrance.com.

[Fiona Cook]

Hi,

I am a counsellor and hypno-psychotherapist with my business registered in the UK. I am trying to find out what I have to do if I were to practice at times in France. Insurance is covered through professional indemnity and I declare my earnings to the Inland Revenue as a sole trader but what would I do for the earnings in France - if I ever get any?

I know I cannot be taxed twice but wonder if the French authorities would allow me to declare earnings on French soil, to UK.

I have tried to find out but keep meeting dead ends -can anyone help me please?

Many thanks :-)

[Craig McGinty]

Hi Fiona, I think the first place to start should be the HMRC website at:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/
You can also contact them direct with your question if necessary.
Regards, Craig

[Kevin Albin]

I am resident in France and registered as an A-E. I work as an accompagnateur en montagne, which involves taking clients walking and trekking in the mountains, snowshoeing holidays and trips to different far away countries. I ahve liability insurance from a UK company but they will only cover me for UK clients. Do you know where or from whom I might obtain liability insurance to cover me for non UK clients? Thanks for any suggestions.

[Anna Davey]

My husband is registered as an auto entrepreneur, we run a gites business together that is getting dangerously close to the €32,000 threshold with much more scope to grow even further. Can I register as an Auto entrepreneur and take on half the gites as my own business therefore doubling our allowable turnover?

[Camilla Villefort]

Can anyone tell me when you have to declare your activity. If you look at the form on the government website it asks you when you started ...so it seems it is ok to declare your activity after you have started...but how long have you got after the date when you started? Thanks for any help.

[Dirk Millar]

Hi Craig
I have been working as an auto entrepreneur for a year now. My wife would also like to become an auto entrepreneur, and run her own business. Is it possible for both husband and wife to be auto entrepreneurs, running their own businesses? I was told by a friend that this was not allowed, but have no confirmation.