How to get a Siret No

[Bobbykins]

My wife, who is a professional Cake decorator wants to start up her own small business from home, but what we want to know is how does she go about obtaining a SIRET No. What would she have to do, where to go and how much would it cost roughly. We live in the Charente Maritime. Many thanks, Bob.

[P-D de Rouffignac]

You need to visit your local 'chambre des metiers' and discuss this, including what (hygiene) regulations apply for preparing food, for example, in your own home for sale to the public. If this is going to be a part-time, low key activity, or even not (income up to 34 000 euros pa for providing a service) you might think of using the new 'auto-entrepreneur' scheme which comes into effect in January. This offers a simplified tax and social security regime, based on a 23 per cent (for services) payment monthly or quarterly, but only calculated and payable on actual - as opposed to - notional earnings. The present small-business regimes tend to kill off enterprises that find themselves struggling to pay fixed tax and social security based on money they have not earned.

The registration process is simplified (ask the 'chambre des metiers') but other regulations regarding qualifications, hygiene rules etc will of course still apply.

Hope this helps.

Peter-Danton de ROUFFIGNAC www.francemediterraneanproperty.com

[Bobbykins]

Hi Peter, many thanks for your reply, do you know if you have to wait until Jan 1st to go and sort this out or can we go earlier to get it set up for that date. once again many thanks, Bob.

[P-D de Rouffignac]

Details of the auto-entrepeneur scheme are still being finalised and although there is a 'kit' available (you can download it online) which includes draft forms for registering your enterprise, most people seem to be waiting for something more definite in the next weeks. You could check with your chambre des metiers meanwhile, also on things like regulations. Note that under the auto-entrepenru scheme, the plan is you won't get a SIRET number, but like most things that might change once the civil servants start working on the details. Some people are arguing that a SIRET number is essential for dealing with suppliers etc, which might be applicable in your case, and note that if you are in the business of 'buying and selling' your turnover can go up to just over 80 000 euros. You cannot register for VAT under this scheme, but if your clients are the general public, they'll be buying from you at nearly 20 per cent less than the commercial competition; You cannot recover VAT on supplies of course, but under the higher turnover (ie 'buying and selling') your fixed tax and social security charge is just 14 per cent as opposed to just under 24 per cent for services (up to a T/O of 34 000 euros). And only payable on actual earnings.

Sorry for a long winded reply but you need to weigh up all these pros and cons before you get started. But as noted you can start checking the hygiene etc regulations and doing your market research, planning your marketing, sorting out suppliers etc ahead of a possible 01 Jan start date which is only a few weeks away.....

Hope this helps - Peter-D de R.

[Rob Roy]

What about using the 'conveuses d'entreprise' which enable you to set up and try out your business ideas without having to register. You will then be able to use their Siret No. More information at www.uniondescouveuses.com

[Charlotte3]

Hello there,

Why do you not need a siret number?  Surely that has nothing to do with your regime, rather it proves your qualifications to perform metier occupations. If you won't need a siret number to do this work, how would your clients know that you were actually qualified (and therefore legal) or not. I have visions of lots of dodgy characters using a loophole like this to jump on the bandwagon of 'almost' legal status and making it even more difficult for us qualified artisans to earn a crust.

I'm really hoping you are wrong on this one,

Aly

[Will]

A SIRET number proves only that you have registered and - where applicable - done the business practices formation course. The number is no indication of being qualified, experienced or competent. Some chambres may ask those applying for registration for proof of qualifications, others don't.

As far as artisans are concerned, it seems that the stumbling block to autoentrepreneur status is the compulsory professional insurance, which is only available to fully Siret-registered companies.

[P-D de Rouffignac]

Just to add a couple of words. On the French site www.auto-entrepreneur.fr there is a lively Forum on which the subject of the SIRET has come up for discussion. Some contributors are arguing that a SIRET should be made available under the auto-entrepreneur scheme but not a Kbis - the latter being regarded as essential for opening trade accounts with suppliers. I would hazard that if you wish to operate at this level, you will probably want VAT registration as well (in order to reclaim on purchases of supplies) and so probably may need to look at one of the other possible regimes.

Peter-Danton de ROUFFIGNAC