What’s new for auto-entrepreneurs in 2011

By Valérie Aston on 18 January 2011 · Viewed 6020 times ·

2010 was an eventful year for auto entrepreneurs, with new laws trying to regulate this new regime and unexpected tax such as CFE. Several changes were voted in the loi de finance 2011, here is a summary of changes impacting your auto-entrepreneur ÌÒÖ­Ó°Ôº in 2011:

New auto entrepreneur turnover threshold

From 1st January 2011, the turnover threshold for sales of goods, supply of food and accommodation (hotels, cottages, country houses, furnished accommodation, ...) has increase to 81,500€ . The turnover for services providers has increased to 32,600€. For mixed activities with sales and services, the overall maximum turnover is 81,500€ with a maximum of 32,600€ for services and the remaining 48,900€ for sales.

Prorata rule maintained for auto-entrepreneurs

The turnover threshold is considered for a full calendar year. Auto-entrepreneurs registering their ÌÒÖ­Ó°Ôº along the year will therefore have a lower threshold calculated according to their starting date. For instance a translator starting on 10th February 2011, would have a maximum turnover for 29,028€ in 2011. Calculate your maximum turnover with the (read paragraph entitled - Les seuils applicables la première année d’activité).

Compulsory turnover declarations

As of 1st January 2011, auto-entrepreneurs must report their sales every month or quarter, including when the amount is zero or neant in French.

Introduction of the Cotisation a la Formation Professionnelle (CFP)

Auto-entrepreneurs are now liable to the Cotisation a la Formation Professionnelle or profesional training tax, representing 0.3% of the turnover for artisans (crafts), 0.2 % for services and , 0,1% for trade. The only exemption will apply to auto-entrepreneurs with an income below 4,740€ in 2011. ACOSS, the national agency regrouping all URSSAF offices has not clarified yet how this tax will be implemented.

Opting for income tax paid at source

The auto-entrepreneur system enables you to pay your income tax at source, rather than one year down the line with the income tax form. You may opt for regime micro fiscal, also called impot liberatoire, provided your income for 2009 was below 26,030€ for a single person. This income is applied per person or by part de quotient familial, which is the reference taken by impots. A married couple for instance would have 2 parts, and could therefore register an auto entrepreneur each if their joint income was below 52,060€.

Auto entrepreneur activity limited to 2 years

Auto entrepreneurs without any activity for 2 years, i.e no turnover declared, will be automatically switched to a standard entreprise individuelle regime. Social charges will then be calculated on a set amount or forfait based roughly on 3,000€ for the first year.

Domiciliation can be used as official address

Domiciliation is a service enabling you to rent an official ÌÒÖ­Ó°Ôº address (provision of a registered office address, postal mail redirected, etc). Auto-entrepreneurs can now use a domiciliation, provided they register their ÌÒÖ­Ó°Ôº on the Registre du Commerce et des Societes (RCS) or Registre des Metiers (RM). This registration may cost between 60€ to 200€.

CFE exemption for 3 years

All auto-entrepreneurs are exempt from for their first 3 years in ÌÒÖ­Ó°Ôº, whatever the level of their turnover.


Valerie Lemiere: Start Business in France

About the author: Valérie Aston

I've been helping people who want to start or already have a small ÌÒÖ­Ó°Ôº set up in France since 2009. After graduating from a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, I worked as a senior marketing consultant in the UK and France for various International companies. I worked as a conseillère en création d'entreprises (senior ÌÒÖ­Ó°Ôº advisor) for here in France and run this independent ÌÒÖ­Ó°Ôº on a daily basis.