Albert the InfoGipsy Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I'm a freelance IT consultant, currently working in the UK for my own limited company. The company pays me a salary and I draw a small amount in dividends; the remaining profit stays in the company's bank account. I hope to retire, slightly early, in a year or two. In the meantime I want to move to France and do as much work as possible at home, although I would still need to spend some time in the UK.I appreciate that if I move to France I must pay French taxes and cotisations on payments I receive for any work done in France. I don't want to go through all the bureaucracy of setting up a 'French subsidiary' for my company so I am considering resigning from my employment and working for the company as a freelance entreprise individuelle or through a portage. I would invoice the company approximately the same as I am paid at present and may occasionally draw dividends. The company invoices the clients and any profit would still be retained in the company. When I retire I plan to use the money in the company in the most tax efficient way I can, possibly by drawing dividends over several years. Does all this sound sensible and, above all, legal?I know that I need to work out the financial pros & cons of UK corporation tax, French tax & cotisations on earnings and any tax & social charges on dividends. I can't just do away with the company because in IT you can't easily get work as a sole trader. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyh4 Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Albertyou need to get an accountant's view not a forum member's view or members' views.Getting it wrong will be expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I know there's a poster on here (can't remember who but hopefully they'll respond anyway!) who works via a portage company and seems very pleased with the way it works. I have an English speaking accountant here, if that's of any interest to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert the InfoGipsy Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 Andy,Thanks. I know I'll have to talk to a professional or two. The reason for bouncing it off the forum is to see if anyone can find a show-stopper I haven't spotted. Initially I'm trying to work out if my idea's likely to be legal before I start paying too much to accountants or lawyers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert the InfoGipsy Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 Thanks, Coops.Your accountant sounds useful. As well as speaking English does he/she have any experience of cross-border work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 They specialise in Brits living in France, both working and not. I've mentioned them before on here:Bruno Hebert et Associes, "Le Trifide", 18, rue Claude Bloch, 14050, Caen, Cedex 4 and 45, Boulevard Haussmann 02 31 53 15 13 a.francoise@bruno-hebert.euMy contact there is Angela Francoise - that's her e-mail address. They are part of a big group (groupe Fidorg) of French accoutantshttp://www.groupe-fidorg.fr/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert the InfoGipsy Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 Thanks, Coops. I'll be in Britanny for most of May so shall contact them then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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