Do NOT want to start a business!

[Maddie]

Anyone got any help for someone who DOES NOT categorically want to start a business?  We bought our house in France and decided to move here full time earlier in the year.  My other half was offered a position in London but when they found out he was moving to France (he is quite good at his job!!!) offered to kit him out with all the necessary computer and phone equipment so he could do it from here in France.  So, essentially he does exactly the same thing, working for the same company, under contract, but is paid in Euros as if salaried but is technically self employed, I assume.  His work involves no advertising, his clients do not know he is based in France, he has no equipment, he employs no other people, he does not make anything.  So how does he stand with regards to taxes and employment status etc?  Also, as his clients are all English speaking he has to speak very little if no French on a daily basis which leaves all the complicated stuff like this for me to deal with which I could well do without! (My French is gradually improving as I have to deal with builders, tilers, plasterers, plumbers, electricians etc and have made an effort to mix with my local community by joining a dog training club!)

All contributions gratefully received

Nic

 

[Mpprh]

Hi

There may be benefits from registering here as a profession liberale. As a

French resident working from France, I guess one day the French tax man could take an interest ?

He would automatically be in the French health system.

Invoices to a VAT registered company in UK would not attract VAT. However local costs including VAT could be reclaimed.

Taxable profit and social costs are based on income after allowable deductions.

Peter

[Val_2]

If you live in France as a resident(more than 180 days per year)then you should be filling in a tax return each year to the french fisc as taxes are taken from where you are officially domiciled I believe in the eyes of the tax man. Don't try and hide anything from these people or you could end up with a lorryload of trouble. The benefit of paying into the french system from working in France is that you can get into the health system which otherwise may cause problems too. Don't forget that the french and the english taxman "talk" to each other all the time so your movements will be followed. There are ways of setting up in France to suit your business, visit the local CCI and discuss it with them. You may find that other benefits follow once you are properly registered in France.

[Teamedup]

He is going to have to register in some way here. You need to see the CCI and perhaps a good accountant to see which would be the best way for him to work from France. It isn't like moving to the Lake District, this is a country with rules and regulations and if he wants to work from here, he will have to 'join' in like everybody else, no matter what you want.

[Will]

What is proposed is very similar to what I do. He has a choice - either employed by a French subsidiary of the English company, or self-employed as profession liberale/travalleur independant. Either way involves starting a business, albeit a one-man business, and paying into the system.

[Maddie]

Thanks everyone!

I have tried telling him this but the words brick wall, against, head and banging spring to mind.  He keeps going on about finding an accouintant but has so far done nothing.  Anyone know of a good accountant, preferably with some knowledge of English, who can help him through this minefield?

By the way, I just can't get on with this new search thing and have tried searching through previous posts and coming up with all sorts of weird and wonderful things.

Give me a mad (not literally) dog to train anyday!