The status of self-employed (also called micro-entrepreneurs) makes it possible to alleviate the obligations in terms of accounting and taxation. But there are some accounting obligations of which the self-employed person must be freed.
Based on a turnover threshold not to be exceeded and defined according to the nature of the activity, this micro-social and micro-fiscal regime simplifies the steps of these independent professionals, without however exempting them from any obligation.
A reminder is essential? Here are the rules to be observed in the accounting management of the self-business!
The accounting obligations of a self-employed
If the accounting operations of self-enterprises are clearly simplified, there is nevertheless a framework which to comply with financial transactions. Whether invoicing, holding revenue and purchases or banking management, here are the obligations to know.
Generate invoices
Any sale or provision of services made by a self-employed entrepreneur must give rise to an invoice. There are then specific rules to respect, with information and compulsory legal notices to include invoiceswithout which strong fines are provided for by law.
It is important to also remember that the invoices issued by the auto-entrepreneur must be kept for 10 years after the closing of the financial year. Secure storage is recommended, for example on a cloud.
Hold a book of recipes
A book of collected recipes is also one of the compulsory accounting documents for a self-enterprise. If you exercise in liberal activity, you must chronologically list each recipe with its date of collection, its origin (customer name, possible quote and nature of the sale), its amount and the method of payment. If you are a merchant or provider of accommodation services, you must also reference payment supporting documents.
A self-employed entrepreneur who receives regulations by check may only note the total amount of a discount to the bank. In addition, in the case of services to individuals or sales in detail, it is possible to note the overall day recipe, if the amount of each transaction does not exceed € 76. You must then make the total of the revenue in a quarterly.
Please note, you also have to keep these documents for 10 years after the accounting exercise concerned.
Hold a purchase register (merchants)
In addition to the book of recipes, merchants and providers of accommodation services exercising as an entrepreneur have the obligation to keep a purchase register. This must keep track of the expenses detail carried out as part of professional activity. They must be noted chronologically with each of their date, their nature (which product or service purchased and which supplier), the payment method used and supporting documents.
There are accounting software adapted to self-enterprise and which make it possible to hold the book of revenues and purchases. Also note that if the merchant is liable for VAT and that he sells for individuals (goods or services), he must use certified cash register software.
Open a separate bank account
If the turnover of your auto-business does not exceed € 10,000 for two consecutive calendar years, you are authorized to use your personal bank account. Beyond this level, it becomes compulsory to have a bank account dedicated to financial transactions and the money back to professional activity. Whatever your situation, you are in any case in the obligation to have a bank account to exercise as a entrepreneur.
The tax bonds of a self-employed
Despite its reduced tax system, self-employed status does not exercise any obligation. The professional must indeed comply with a few rules from a tax and declarative point of view.
Monthly or quarterly declaration of turnover
As an entrepreneur, you must declare your turnover regularly. The frequency of the declaration may vary between each month and each quarter, a framework which is to be chosen at the launch of the auto-entrepreneurial activity. Once your company is open, you will have to systematically make this declaration, even if the turnover is zero at certain deadlines.
In the event of non-compliance with this declaration, the auto-entrepreneur receives a penalty (€ 58 per missing declaration) and, if he does not regulate his situation at the end of the year, he can be taxed automatically, or even lose his tax status.
Annual income tax declaration
If you are registered as an entreprise, you must complete an additional to your personal income tax return. You need to indicate the total of the revenues generated by your activity if it is non-commercial (micro-BNC), or your annual turnover if you exercise as a merchant, craftsman or industrial (micro-BIC). To this are added the capital gains or losses that you have potentially made during the calendar year.
The benefit on which the income tax of self-entrepreneurs is based is set up on the basis of a package by the tax administration, with a lump sum reduction on the CA. That's it taxable profit of the self-business which is added to the income of the home for the calculation of the tax.
Payment at URSSAF
The taxation of self-employed entrepreneurs is strongly lightened, however it is still necessary to pay social contributions. These are calculated at the time of monthly or quarterly declaration of turnovermade to the URSSAF. The amount of contributions to be paid immediately.
Auto-entrepreneurs can choose to subscribe to the release of income tax. In this case, URSSAF centralizes all payments: the tax is to be paid at the same time as social contributions.
Payment of the CFE
The Land Contribution of Business (CFE) is one of the tax obligations of self-employed entrepreneurs, individual entrepreneurs and companies. That being said, there are many cases in which An entrepreneur with a self-enterprise regime is exempt from CFE ::
- Craft activity
- Painter, photographer, author (except software author)
- Taxi driver
- Farmer
- Sporty
- Operator of furnished tourism, if it is in the main home of which the auto-entrepreneur is the owner
- Any micro-enterprise activity generating less than € 5,000 in annual turnover and not having professional premises
Software to simplify the accounting obligations of a self-enterprise
Use a billing software or accounting is not among the bonds of self-employed entrepreneurs. On the other hand, there are several solutions adapted to this activity, to make life easier in administrative management.
Invoice.net
Fully free, Invoice.net is the ideal billing tool for self-employed entrepreneurs and any other professional diet. This is an excellent solution to comply with the obligations of the self-enterprise by properly holding its accounts.
Invoice.net saves time with the Quick creation of quotes and invoicesintegrating all the necessary legal information. Perfectly adapted to electronic billing rules, this online software allows you to add a payment link to the documents. The auto-entrepreneur also takes advantage of a complete CRM to follow its activity and facilitate the management of its customers.
Needma
Based on a monthly subscription, the accounting software Needma brings together all the tools that can be useful for a self-employed entrepreneur for invoicing and holding expenses and purchases. The dashboard allows you to keep a complete follow -up of the activity and payments of payments to be respected.
It is also very practical to declare its turnover to URSSAF thanks to synchronization with the administration site and the protection of accounting data. On the other hand, this software cannot be synchronized with banking sites.
Macompta.fr
Adapted to the activity of auto-entrepreneur as much as to other professional statutes, Macompta.fr has the advantage of being both very complete and inexpensive. We can regret the absence of stock management, however it contains all other useful features: invoices edition, automation of accounting tasks, tax declarations. Practical accounting software that knows how to meet the needs of self-enterprises.
The accounting obligations of the auto-entrepreneur are not very restrictive
Unlike an EIRL, EURL or SARL type company, the accounting obligations of the auto-entrepreneur are very binding.
It is mainly a monthly or quarterly declaration of turnover and payment of contributions.
So do not hesitate to launch your self-business to take advantage of this advantageous legal status.