The government now wants us to have our accounts checked by an accountant or Centre de Gestion...what with that and the CFE, I'll be paying for the privilege of working!! Here's the info in French from FEDAE http://www.federation-auto-entrepreneur.fr/auto-entrepreneur/actualite/2011/11/26/actualite-les-auto-entrepreneurs-rejetent-la-proposition-de-contr-le-de-leur-gestion.html UPDATE Just in case anyone panics, this measure has now been defeated in the National Assembly....I did post at the time but just in case this is the first thing you see!
Thanks very much for your speedy response.
I will start filling out the form.
Best Regards
Colette
Yes it is Colette, the 3 monthly thing is to cover your health and social security contributions plus tax, if you're over the income tax threshold (if you're not, like me you should pay a lower percentage of your turnover). At the mo we don't have to pay CFE (a sort of business rate), but this being France you still have to fill in the stupid form! If you need any help, feel free to give me a ring on 05 46 33 09 89. By the way, I'm not a professional adviser, just a weary AE, but I try to keep abreast of events!
Hi Wendy,
I don't know if you can help me but I hope so? I've just received my siret number after registering as an auto-entrepeneur for my B&B business.
I am confused by the Declaration initiale pour la cotisation fonciere des entreprises (CFE). I have read that I have to apply for exemption by 31st December 2013. Is this a different tax from the one that I have opted to pay every three months via the AE system?
Basically, I was just going to pay online via the AE website as I have been in business for 3 months; then I wondered if this is the tax that I should be exempt from? Also, there are dates for payment listed on the AE website and I am between October and January as obviously we are in December now, therefore, if I am to pay tax on the 1st three months business, should I now wait for the December payment deadline?
Any help would be appreciated, thank you. Colette
I'm in, too - I've just read with great interest all the discussion points, and am very grateful for the tips.
I'm working as a teacher under a 'création d'entreprise' scheme led by a cooperative and financed at least in part by Pôle Emploi. I'm hoping to develop my ideas for teaching in and out of the classroom during my 1-2 years in the cooperative, which provides 'portage salarial' and group training in setting up a business. The business training is carried out in French (I have a good level) and I'm one of only 2 non-native speakers in my group of about 20, which includes a sweep, a yoga teacher, beauticians, translators, graphic designers, social economists. . .
I'm currently classed as employed by the cooperative, with a CDI (it's only the training/set up period which is limited to 2 years). I work part-time (got small-ish kids) at a private language school and I also have a CDD at a Grande Ecole; this latter work does not go through the coop.
The way it works is this: I use the coop's SIRET no but my own trading name on any invoices; I am VAT registered via the cooperative; any contracts for work and any invoices I generate go through the cooperative; the money comes into their accounts and is paid out to me in the form of declared mileage, business expenses and then salary net of ALL social charges (about 34%) ie I am a business owner in that I pay both the employer's and employee's charges; the coop also charges 10% for the portage salarial services. I joined the coop in August, started working in October and am just being paid my first invoices at the moment, so I'm not very clear about what happens next.
Most people think that I'm crazy joining the coop when I could just go and work as an AE. However, having only just got here (Sept 10) and being quite isolated from the world of work as a full-time mum for a year, I really enjoy being part of the coop and of a group of like-minded, positive people. I also really appreciate having access to the training sessions, and I have people in the coop whose job it is to help me grow my activity and to make sure I understand what I'm doing, which I consider to be a real plus after dealing with Pôle Emploi and other organisations. I can also take the time to listen to and read other people's experience of the AE system (thank you all!) from the 'safety' of being an employee, albeit one who has to find all the work which enables me to be paid.
My resolution for 2012 is to find a balanced way forward, perhaps leaving the coop early for either employment or self-employment via AE or another regime, perhaps staying in for the full two years to give myself time to test left-field ideas. I can opt to stay in the coop after the 2 years training period by becoming an associate, thereby using the portage salarial service as before and staying part of an organisation instead of going it alone. Or I could perhaps try to set up a coop of teachers to pool resources and knowledge. . . My mum has always said, though, that organising teachers is a bit like trying to get an octopus into a string bag!! She should know - she's been one!
Given all the other demands on an average adult's time, it's very annoying to note that the various bureaucratic professionals can't be relied upon to do their job well or helpfully (thanks for the cautionary tales) and that precious work or personal time will have to be spent checking and cajoling. I suppose forewarned is somewhat forearmed, though. Hey ho!! And Merry Christmas!
Hi Glen, Bandwaggon! could we see sight of the AE regs? in English
Ron and Michelle Birks
caption@hotmail.fr
merci
Yes Finn, and note well how many French negotiations get a warning about them not being secure straight away. I take cheques or cash to the local tresorerie and no more than that, not even a card is considered.
well it'd be good fun trying ;-)
Here too Emily. I even suspect there are local bye-laws that make feminism punishable by ducking or who knows what. I have a fair few female friends and visitors (my OH shares them all, by the way and has the same with male friends, etc) and rumours of my 'many' affairs seem to get around fast. Given a century or two the poor dears might grow out of it...
God Emily, I feel so old.....and I take your point about gender....
And if we ever meet I'll still drink you all under the table... teehee!
Everyone! I have missed so many messages, so sorry, Thank you all so much, catching up now.
Second that ;-)
Respect!
Beat ya all, soixante trois... With young children to boot, a risky choice of profession to begin with and a world recession that is gutting what we (try to) do. Nonetheless, do not give up all hope, seen it and been there before and these cycles make us all the more resolute than resigned.
Survive et bon dimanche!!
Brian, A & E is brilliant, I love all that, Wooden Horse (Eric Williams) coded cryptic stuff, riddle me this, and all that. I'd start it myself, but not sure I would be the best 'starter', but I would certainly be a joiner. ( chip off the old block, dovetail in with that, etc etc....Ron. I will do the 'graphic!
Thanks Emily, just trying to help and if it's any consolation to you both, I no longer think it's an age thing (45 myself) but more the fact that the current economic climate is pretty disasterous not only here in France but elsewhere too. Airbus seems to be the only exeption I can think of, everyone else is laying people off left, right and centre!
Bon appétit, bon dimanche, courage et bonne chance !!!
The bit on 'noir' is what I was saying to Glen who is considering it yesterday. Not worth it. Being as 'creative' with accounting and keeping money (stashing it as we might say) is part of the game as long as it is within the law which, fortunately, even the lawmakers are not exactly sure is! I suggested some kind of forum where the links, contacts, discussion itself and so on could happen. Those of us with the slightly higher levels of linguistic ability get it both ways (we understand - as far as anyone can - and can also talk to 'them' or each other) and sharing costs only time. With work as it is at present I am not short of time, so sure. Actually, when all said and done Ronald, you are not ranting but at times I bet we all tear our teddy apart with frustration. My OH and I have helped French acquaintances and know it is everybody who needs their teddies repaired occasionally. So, somebody start another group under pseudonym 'Accident and Emergency' (which is what those two letters are at the back of my head) and I will certainly come to play. There is a great old Scots tradition called 'countin' the bawbies' and I prefer it not to be fiscal authorities who are not exactly sure what they are taking, what for and how much and, as I have noticed when talking to URSSAF people, exactly why.
Hey Andrew, thank you so much for taking the time to read my rantings and formulating a reply.
I note what you have said, and the fact that there is guidance available re assures me. I have always done B to B so have never handled 'cash' and I am against the principal. ( Catholic ) I am a realist tho' and clearly no French or any company for that matter is going to 'take on' a 60 year old, and I believe the charges are prohibitive anyway.
So, as I am too wrecked to pick fruit, or serve table, freelance is the only way. My other big problem is that having retired some time back, the brain has softened, deciding between a pain au raison and a croissant is a nightmare. Also, having always been the firefighter my skill set is not that well honed, so I'm none too sure what to 'sell'. Networking in my day was a pint and a game of darts. I do have a sort of business model, and luckily my wife does do 'common sense'.
I do get very frustrated with the 'pas chèz nous' Monsieur attitude. I also can't function without 'logic' which seems to be a basic that's missing here. It really is comforting to realise that there a many here who do make it work, thanks again.
Andrew's 'when in Rome', sums it up I guess. It's ok I've taken my tablets now.