The status of auto-entrepreneur, now micro-entrepreneur, is a simplified individual entrepreneurial status designed to enable anyone to embark on the adventure of entrepreneurship. Simple to set up and manage, it doesn't require a great deal of skill, and can be used, for example, to test the potential of a business before moving on to a more complex status. Here's how to become an auto-entrepreneur.
1 Setting up your company
What setsauto-entreprise apart from other types of status is the ease with which it can be set up. All you have to do is go online and declare your activity. In just a few minutes, you fill in the necessary form, which is then sent to the appropriate Centre des Formalités des Entreprises (Business Formalities Center), depending on the type of activity: + The Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie (CCI) for a commercial activity, + The Chambre des Métiers et de l'Artisanat (CMA) for a craft or commercial AND craft activity, + URSSAF for a self-employed activity.
The APE code corresponding to your field of activity determines which CFE is responsible. If you wish to undertake a regulated activity, the CFE may ask you for additional documents such as diplomas or proof of qualifications.
Please note: since 2015, all craft activities require participation in a pre-installation training course at the Chamber of Trades. This one-week training course, for which a fee is charged, is required to register with the Chambre des Métiers. For any commercial or industrial activity, registration with the Registre du Commerce et des Sociétés (RCS) is mandatory to obtain a Kbis auto-entrepreneur.
Join an auto-entrepreneur association Once you've registered as an auto-entrepreneur, you can join an auto-entrepreneur association. This is advisable to obtain information to maximize your chances of development, but also to defend your interests.
2.get help
Support for business start-ups
To become an auto-entrepreneur, it is possible to benefit from certain forms of assistance: + If you are unemployed or meet certain criteria (age, etc.), you can apply for ACCRE, a partial exemption from social security charges for the first three years of your business. This is a partial exemption from social security charges for the first 3 years of your business. + If you are granted ACCRE, you can apply for NACRE, a zero-interest loan to help you get started. + If you run your business from overseas departments, you can be exempt from social security charges for 24 months for craft and commercial professions.
If you return to work after a period of unemployment, you can continue to supplement your income with your Aide de Retour à l'Emploi (ARE) benefits. If you are entitled to ACCRE, you can also opt for ARCE, i.e. the possibility of receiving 45% of the remainder of your ARE entitlement in a single payment.
ADIE assistance
ADIE is an association whose aim is to help people with no access to traditional credit to set up their own business. To this end, ADIE can grant you a microcredit as well as microinsurance adapted to your situation.
The association also offers individual and group training courses, as well as individual coaching appointments.
If you're aged between 18 and 32, ADIE has set up the special Adie CréaJeunes program to help young entrepreneurs turn their projects into reality. This is a free 5-6 week training program organized in the form of group workshops and extended individual support for 6 months.
Assistance from the Chamber of Trades and Crafts
The Chambres de Métiers de l'Artisanat (Chambers of Trades and Crafts) offer free meetings where you can obtain information on the specifics of the micro-enterprise scheme. You can also put your questions to specialists.
On the other hand, if you're a registered tradesperson, you can access a whole range of training courses to help you develop your business, at very attractive prices. To consult the training schedule, simply visit the website of your local CMA.
Assistance from Chambers of Commerce and Industry
CCIs offer personalized or group assistance. You can attend information meetings or training courses lasting a few days. Individual support can also be arranged. Each CCI has its own conditions, so contact your local one for full details.
3. take out the necessary insurance
Depending on your field of activity, certain types of insurance may be compulsory: + Professional liability for health and wellness, construction and public works, automotive, transport, sports and leisure, insurance and finance + Ten-year guarantee for public works and construction.
Other types of insurance may also be recommended, such as professional car insurance, multi-risk professional insurance and legal protection. Professional liability insurance is recommended in most cases.
4.create a dedicated account
Opening a bank account dedicated to your auto-business is also a must. To avoid excessive bank charges, a simple and affordable solution like Anytime's pro offer may be ideal. After registering in just a few minutes, your account will be created as quickly as possible, and it will only take a few days to obtain your business bank card. You'll be able to communicate your bank details to your customers very quickly, so you can start getting paid.
Need a payment terminal? Anytime has thought of everything, and can also offer you a simple and practical payment solution.
5. declare your sales
Micro-businesses are designed to be easy to manage, and require no special accounting skills. For example, you benefit from VAT exemption, which means that you can invoice everything net of VAT and have no VAT to declare.
Every month, or every quarter, depending on your initial choice, you declare your total sales via a paper form or the Internet. It only takes a few minutes, and your social security contributions are calculated immediately. Your only obligation is to declare your sales within certain deadlines, otherwise you'll be liable for surcharges. Please note: even sales equal to zero must be declared, even if they do not give rise to any contributions.
On a day-to-day basis, theauto-entrepreneur can keep simplified income/expense accounts. However, they need to keep all their invoices in order to justify their expenses in the event of a tax audit. For this, using an all-in-one solution such as Anytime can be effective. Thanks to the mobile application, you can photograph the receipt and link it directly to the payment. This way, there's no risk of misplacing a single bill.
