How to register as a self-employed person?

Discover the key steps to becoming self-employed with ease!

How to register as a self-employed person?

The key steps to becoming self-employed

If you wish to start out as a self-employed person, be aware that several administrative steps must be followed to formalize your activity. Here is a practical guide to help you with this process:

Choose your activity and study its viability

Before you get started, it is essential to clearly define the activity you are going to carry out. Take the time to study the market, competition and demand to ensure the viability of your project. This step is crucial to laying a solid foundation for your future business.

Carry out the registration procedures

Once your activity has been determined, you must register. Go to the official self-entrepreneurs website to fill out the online form. Bring the requested supporting documents such as your identity document, proof of address and possibly specific authorization depending on your sector of activity.

Choosing a tax regime

As a self-employed person, you can opt for the micro-enterprise tax regime. This simplified system allows you to benefit from reduced administrative formalities and a simplified method of calculating the amount of your social security contributions and your taxes. Study this diet carefully to see if it fits your activity.

Provide professional insurance

To carry out your activity with complete peace of mind, it is recommended to take out professional liability insurance. This will protect you in the event of a dispute with a customer or business partner. Find out about the different insurance options tailored to your industry.

Maintain simplified accounting

As a self-employed person, you are required to keep simplified accounts. It is advisable to use invoicing and revenue and expense tracking software to make it easier to manage your business. Also remember to keep all your invoices and supporting documents in a dedicated folder.

Know and respect your obligations

Finally, find out about all of your obligations as a self-employed person. This includes declaring and paying your social security contributions, invoicing your customers, declaring your turnover, etc. Be sure to scrupulously respect these obligations to avoid any administrative problems.

Administrative procedures to follow

Choose your self-employed status

The first step to becoming self-employed is to choose the right status. It is essential to fully understand its implications in terms of responsibilities, tax and social regime.

Carry out the creation procedures

Once the status is defined, it is time to proceed with the creation of the company. This involves several administrative stages such as the choice of the business name, the drafting of the statutes, and registration in the trade and companies register.

Obtain a SIRET number

The SIRET number is essential to carry out an activity as a self-employed person. It is made up of 14 digits and allows the company to be identified. It is obtained upon registration in the trade and companies register.

Declare your activity

Once all administrative procedures have been completed, it is necessary to declare your activity to the appropriate organizations. This declaration will allow you to benefit from the self-employed tax regime.

Choose your tax and social system

As a self-employed person, it is possible to choose between the micro-fiscal regime and the micro-social regime. Each has its own specificities in terms of calculating charges and taxes to pay.

Keep your accounts up to date

Accounting management is an essential aspect of being a self-employed person. It is important to keep up-to-date accounting records and comply with reporting obligations regarding VAT and social charges.

Renew your registration

Registration in the trade and companies register must be renewed every year to maintain your activity as a self-employed person. It is essential to respect this formality to avoid any interruption in your activity.

Take out professional insurance

It is strongly recommended to take out professional insurance to protect yourself from possible disputes or accidents linked to your self-employed activity. This allows you to work with complete peace of mind.

Stay informed of legal developments

Finally, it is essential to keep informed of legal developments regarding self-entrepreneurship. As laws and regulations are subject to change, it is essential to stay up to date to comply with current legislation.

Documents to provide for registration

Administrative procedures

To start an activity as a self-employed person, it is essential to carry out certain administrative procedures. First of all, you should go to the official website of the self-employed person to complete the declaration of start of activity. This formality can be carried out online and will allow you to obtain a SIRET number, essential for any commercial activity.

The necessary documents

Several documents are required to become self-employed. First of all, it is essential to provide a valid ID. Then, it is necessary to present proof of address dated less than three months ago. These documents make it possible to verify the identity and address of the future self-employed person.

Financial information

As an entrepreneur, financial management is essential. Therefore, it is important to prepare your bank statements for the last three months. These documents will be necessary to declare self-employed income and facilitate accounting management.

Professional liability insurance

To carry out an activity as a self-employed person, it is often compulsory to take out professional liability insurance. This type of insurance covers possible damage caused to third parties in the context of professional activity.

Specificities linked to the activity

Depending on the industry, additional documents may be required. For example, for regulated activities such as construction or health, specific certifications or diplomas may be required. It is therefore important to find out about the specificities linked to your field of activity.

In summary, becoming self-employed involves gathering different documents and carrying out specific administrative procedures. By providing the required documents and respecting legal obligations, it is possible to create your activity legally and launch into entrepreneurship with complete peace of mind.

The obligations and responsibilities of the self-employed

Administrative obligations

As a self-employed person, it is essential to respect certain administrative obligations to carry out your activity legally. Here are some things to consider:

• Registration in the trade register or trade directory depending on your activity
• Declaration of your monthly or quarterly turnover
• Payment of social contributions and income tax

Tax and accounting responsibilities

As a self-employed person, you have tax and accounting responsibilities that should not be neglected. Here's what you need to pay attention to:

• Keep simplified accounts and record your income and expenses
• Carry out regular monitoring of your turnover to avoid unpleasant surprises
• Meet your VAT obligations if you exceed the applicable thresholds

Social protection and insurance

As a self-employed person, your social protection is also a crucial point. Think of :

• Join a social protection scheme to benefit from sickness and maternity cover
• Consider professional liability insurance to protect yourself against possible litigation
• Make sure you contribute to your retirement to guarantee your future income

Compliance with standards and regulations

As a self-employed person, you must also comply with certain standards and regulations in force. Make sure you :

• Respect the health and safety standards specific to your activity
• Know and apply the regulations specific to your sector of activity
• Be in compliance with the authorizations and certifications necessary for your professional practice