Hmm yes, thanks for that, however it's advice from a so called "expert" that has got me into the situation I'm in. I have learned a huge lesson though and that is, "You will only get the answer to the question you ask" At huge cost (far more than your suggested 250 euros) my accountant told me there was no way around paying cotisations even though I told her that I was unlikely to earn more than 4,000 euros and she said that everyone pays up front. I now know this to be untrue. Because of her advice I never even asked the question of URSSAF when I registered and out of my meagre earnings of 3,800 this year I have paid 1881 euros in cotisations to URSSAF and RAM Gamex, 625 euros to basic pension and now this demand for Taxe Professionnelle for 550 euros. So, for 380 hours of work this year I am left with a total wage of 796 euros which works out at 2,09 per hour. Mad?! Yes I'm hopping. I'm particularly cross that I now have to go back to all these places and find out how I can get refunded . Sorry but in this country more than any other I have lived in I feel I can trust no one but most particularly anyone who claims to be an expert. I'm off to eat chocolate now! Sue