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 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.
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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)
Posted by: Cynthia in France | 13 May 2009 at 09:59
Hi Cynthia, hope it helps as the l'auto-entrepreneur system could prove very useful.
All the best, Craig
Posted by: Craig McGinty | 13 May 2009 at 16:44
Thanks so much for this post. It's exactly what I needed. :)
Posted by: Angela Alcorn | 17 June 2009 at 16:54
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
Posted by: cherie | 16 July 2009 at 09:21
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
Posted by: Craig McGinty | 16 July 2009 at 15:54
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
Posted by: jennifer | 16 July 2009 at 19:18
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
Posted by: Glenn | 19 July 2009 at 15:42
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
Posted by: Craig McGinty | 21 July 2009 at 15:05
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
Posted by: Craig McGinty | 21 July 2009 at 15:10
Hi Am a french nationality holder but living in pondicherry (india)... can i become l'auto-entrepreneur by starting a buisness here in india
Posted by: devarajan | 03 August 2009 at 12:35
Hi Devarajan, I'm afraid the l'auto-entrepreneur system is only open to those people resident in France. Kind regards, Craig
Posted by: Craig McGinty | 04 August 2009 at 07:13
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.
Posted by: Megan | 21 September 2009 at 21:06
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
Posted by: Craig McGinty | 22 September 2009 at 08:28
Thanks, Craig! Very reassuring.
Posted by: Megan | 24 September 2009 at 13:10
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.
Posted by: Sarah | 02 October 2009 at 13:59
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!
Posted by: CherryT | 11 October 2009 at 11:47
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
Posted by: Craig McGinty | 13 October 2009 at 14:49
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?
Posted by: Rose | 13 October 2009 at 18:38
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
Posted by: Craig McGinty | 14 October 2009 at 18:58
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
Posted by: nikola STRONG | 06 November 2009 at 20:50
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!
Posted by: Ben | 09 November 2009 at 12:42
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
Posted by: katie | 25 November 2009 at 20:02
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'?
Posted by: Chris | 11 December 2009 at 11:50
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 ?
Posted by: Jeannet | 15 December 2009 at 09:39
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
Posted by: roger | 30 December 2009 at 21:37
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?
Posted by: Keith | 10 January 2010 at 19:14
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?
Posted by: Carol | 28 January 2010 at 13:36
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?
Posted by: Alexi | 04 March 2010 at 13:33
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
Posted by: Craig McGinty | 05 March 2010 at 15:36
For auto-entrepreneur help in English you can also try http://www.startbusinessinfrance.com.
Posted by: Lee Aston | 10 June 2010 at 10:30