Freelance cartoonist status

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1

Hello

I started working as a freelance industrial designer.

I currently have a client, for a monthly turnover of about 5K€.

I have inquired about the statuses, and I like the status of individual company.

The problem is that I have to invest in a license (solidworks) + a machine.

Given that the investment is substantial for a small activity like this (7 or even 8k), which status will be the most optimized for my case?

In micro-enterprises, my investment will be increased by 19.6% (VAT), if I understand correctly.

I work from home, I will have a few trips to make, two or three per month, 4/450KM ROUND TRIP+RETURN. Is there a status that allows me to pass on the costs of my accommodation to my future company, to  recover tax breaks (electricity, rent, etc.) given that my home is also my place of work? (I am a tenant).

In addition, is there any aid for young people starting a business (under 26 years old)?

There you go, if there are any independent cartoonists ready to inform me with their experience, I thank you in advance.

 

Kind regards

2

Hello

See this discussion: http://www.lynkoa.com/forum/solidworks/dessinateur-independant#answer-614090

3

Hello!

I have indeed read it and other subjects, but none of them deal with these stories of VAT and fees.

What's more, the documentation on the different tax regimes, the different statuses that I found on the internet is certainly detailed, but I can't fully understand what is being said, and these questions remain unanswered for me, especially in the context of an EI (and not under the micro enterprise regime, given that my annual turnover should exceed 34K without any major problems).

4

Hello

A few months ago I considered the same thing as you, but it hasn't happened yet...

Like you, I had spotted the "EI" status but also the "umbrella company". It seems to me that in 2018 with the new MACRON laws, wage portage no longer has much interest (to be explored...)

Are you talking about 7k€ of investment to start with? I think you should more reasonably go for 10k€! The standard solidworks license is already 6.5k€ + 1.5k€ of maintenance. If you add a real workstation with an additional screen and office equipment you can count on another 2K€ minimum. you will still have to add at least the costs of creating the EI, the mandatory internship as a business creator, the registration of your EI, the costs of an accountant, an antivirus worthy of the name, the Microsoft office suite, a hard drive...

The investment to start is quite important, it's clearly what held me back. But if you already have a recurring customer, it can allow you to smooth out this investment over several months or years.

There is a Dassault offer for young companies, from memory they give you a discount of 1000€ (to be confirmed) then it all depends on the area where you settle, the aids will be different. For that I advise you to go fishing for information wherever you can! the CCI, the region, the employment centre, the CG... tell yourself that you have nothing to lose and that help will not come to you alone! So you have to go and get them!!

 

Keep us informed of your progress! I'm interested!

Good luck.

 

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5

Hello 

There is aid for young entrepreneurs, you can find out more at Adie , you can also benefit from the ACCRE (continue to receive a small salary without touching the company's funds thanks to your unemployment rights). 

 

I live in Alsace and I too 2 and a half years ago I decided to open my own business, first I wanted to do like you, just a design office and then I had the opportunity to open a workshop and to join forces with someone who "unfortunately" was not in the business, At first everything was going well but with time I quickly realized that I had a lazy association.

 

I took care of making the estimates, the accounting , the plans, I made the parts in the workshop, I did the installation on the sites, I took care of placing the orders with the suppliers , in short, a lifestyle not possible, while my partner took it easy, enjoying the glory of telling everyone that he had become a boss etc etc ... The worst thing is that as he wasn't in the business he told to people like he sold me stuff for 150 euros when it was worth 400 !!!   well really the thing not viable at all. Too proud to have created my company I think I have hidden my face all this time. *

Today it has been 6 months that I have been in the papers to dissolve this company.

The advice I give you doesn't trust anyone and never associate yourself 50/50 even with your best friend.

 

When you become a manager, people change, there is no help between them or quickly done at the beginning then.

Cover up, ask for deposits even from people you trust. It's incredible the number of companies that have tried to do it to me upside down and unfortunately sometimes its work. yet I had everything for it to work but I should have stayed alone at the beginning. 

 

But one thing is for sure, unless I have a good position in a company somewhere, it's an experience that I'll definitely do again, but on my own this time. 

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6

@Thomas:

Concerning Solidworks, I have an offer excluding VAT at 5000€, according to the reseller, they can get discounts from the publisher because of my profile (22 years old, newly graduated, creation of a first company). So what point precisely allows me to get this discount I don't know, but it's still 1000€ less than the initial price. Because yes I don't intend to take solidworks premium and its toolbox. The standard version is enough for me. As well as the annual upgrade to 1500€ does not interest me at all.

Regarding the computer equipment, a laptop with a fairly powerful configuration around  1500/2000€ should be sufficient, I am waiting for feedback on this side to make sure that the machine will be powerful enough, the projects I will have to hand in are not of great complexity, nothing to do with a production line...

I am currently unemployed, unhappily waiting for an appointment with the job centre to explain my project to them.

Regarding the obligations related to the opening of the company, I was not aware of it.

That being said, I have to start shortly with my first client. Maybe the creation of a micro-enterprise in order to start is enough before changing status once my file is square and complete? My question was mainly about the initial investment and the recovery of VAT (the investment is tax-free, so as a self-employed person I will have to pay 19.6% more?).

In addition, concerning microsoft office etc: the status of EI or auto-entrepreneur is not linked to the creation of a legal entity, just as there is no "capital specific to the company", I already have an office license, so I don't need to buy one for my company?

 

@ gunter687sang :

I don't know Adie at all, I'm going to find out on the internet.

The problem as you say when you partner is that you are never sure of your partner's motivation, and it can quickly become problematic as in your case.

I decided to go it alone because the opportunity fell under my nose a little if I may say so. And managing my own schedule satisfies me. Maybe I'll look for a partner the day I plan to expand, but my goal for the moment is to set up a structure and make a living from it, without earning thousands, I know my abilities, I have room for improvement, but I'm not a superman, my achievements are not very complex, There is no in-depth study to do, I am still working on a small-scale project.

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Honestly for the computer 1500 euros I find its enormous.

I bought mine 5 years  ago for 500 euros and it still runs very well today with solidworks 2014 on it (I bought it new) and currently I use my laptop for solidworks and it is just starting to lag when I edit parts directly in a big assembly  (45 parts) 

After that, it's sure for the use of the rendering tools, the its train is good on the other hand but frankly I never use it. After that, it depends on the work you do ( boilermaking ? mechanics ? )  

Regarding the fact of starting the activity in a car you can do it and as soon as your turnover exceeds the legal threshold they will automatically change your status the following year.

 

After that, it's up to you to make your forecast to see all the expenses each month and what you are able to enter into your company as CA  because with only 1 customer it can quickly turn into mayonnaise you will have to approach a lot of companies create a logo and business cards at the beginning all this also costs money.

The papers and ink that you will use every month and even why not a small plotter. It's very stupid but the company in which I work does not have a plotter I simply have an A4 printer (I don't explain to you the delirium to print plans of the whole system of the elevator ) having a plotter is also providing an additional service you will not use those of your customers so when you have files with 5 or 6 shots in A0 you don't spend 20 minutes first plugging your pc there.

 

 

8

Hello

For me, the question doesn't even arise. I created a sole proprietorship 4 years ago. Charges: 63% approximately. I bought a company 2 years ago and became a company: Charges 68%.

I am closing the company at the end of the year.

I am a self-employed CAD contractor. Expenses 23.4%

Investments: 1 SW license, a PC, an office chair. (10000 euro excl. tax) + 2000 VAT

I worked 3 weeks for a client (2400 euros including tax)

2400-25%=1800 euro I reimbursed my PC

In society:

2400-63%=888 euro. I ate noodles.

The calculation is simplified but really realistic.

So well the VAT, the state can keep it. I don't have 1 day to waste looking for the missing penny. I don't have to tell myself that the state owes me 8 or 10 thousand euros in VAT that it didn't hesitate to take when it owes me some, I don't have to receive the letter from the ursaf which tells me that I owe 4000 euros every 3 months. I don't have to mope about how I'm going to pay my salary anymore because in any case I have to pay the charges.

So if you have 10 minutes to spare every 3 months, you will have the declaration paper to fill out and a small check to write.

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9

@gunter

I have an MSI GX70, a machine that is not crazy, but that holds its own, bought 4 years ago for 1000€.

When I was still an apprentice this year, I quickly saw the limits of my PC when I had to draw my cutting tool, although it was relatively simple, we are not talking about stamping, processes with simulation etc ...

I was also able to load a typical tool of the work I will have to do, and I guarantee you that the pc no longer follows. These are mechanical elements, no boilermaking, a few sheet metal suckers. It is assemblies of about fifty parts with standard elements such as cylinders, electrode holders, shunts, etc. Nothing strong really. And yet he no longer follows.

Dropping a little more money (500€ more) is to guarantee comfort, a longer lifespan, and above all to be able to increase in power in my own creations. Who knows, in 6 months I will have to carry out different projects, perhaps more substantial, which will require more important computer resources.

Yves, could you support the 63% load, could you give it in figures?

It is true that I have not paid attention to the contributions to be made concerning VAT (4 per year), and without cash flow it is heading for disaster.

 

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10

Hello

to follow up on our discussion.

A standard SLDW license at 5000€ so he gave you the "young company" discount. A reduction of 23% is not negligible!

On the other hand, as a service provider, I find it risky not to take maintenance. (Maintenance = access to future versions) In one or more years, you're bound to have a client working with a future version and you won't be able to communicate with them natively. That's too bad. (to think about it!)

For the PC you need something that runs and not save a penny. It's your main work tool! Once again, if tomorrow you find a client who asks you to do a little rendering, or an integration of large assemblies it would be a shame to decline the mission for a PC issue.

 

You say you are unemployed, quickly ask for an appointment at the Pôle emploi to benefit from the ACCRE. (Exemption from charges for 1 year and financial assistance to get you started)

Second piece of advice, go to the CCI on which you depend. Every 15 days you have free information meetings for business creators. You can then arrange an appointment with an advisor to help you with the process. (Having done it, it's very instructive and much clearer than the searches on the internet where you find everything and its opposite!)

Regarding VAT it is almost a problem. Don't forget that you get VAT back on everything you buy. On the other hand, it is certain that you have to have the cash flow to advance it.

Above all, don't be discouraged! At the beginning it takes a lot of energy, and don't hesitate to knock on all the doors!

And don't forget that before you can make money, you'll have to invest!

Good luck

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11

Hello!

Indeed, this is a nice discount. What's more, it sells the software alone, with no obligation to subscribe to maintenance. Concerning maintenance, it is true that providing only 2D plans for my client, portability stories do not worry me, but it is to be thought about with a view to developing the business in the coming months.

For the pc, I made a request for a "config" from a community of hardware enthusiasts, who will be able to advise me as best as possible according to my needs.

I am newly unemployed, end of work-study contract at the beginning of September. I had to postpone my first appointment (I had an appointment with my client, between receiving unemployment and being able to work, there's no photo, priorities are quickly chosen). I got a second appointment, but for October 25th I think. Quite a hassle...

I approached the CCI last night and got an appointment for the beginning of next week.

No, everything is fine for the moment, it makes you think a lot, but it's constructive. The hardest part will probably be for the bank to follow me, I'm going there this afternoon to test the waters.

12

cool it's progressing;)

 

For the bank, don't hesitate to make several and let them know!

I also advise you to arrive in front of the banker with a concrete file. A detailed business plan, a list of potential and prospective customers, your first orders if you have any, a schedule forecast, the list and the amount of aid you have obtained...

You have to put him at ease, show him that you haven't neglected any detail and above all be convinced that your project is viable!

Cheer up!

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Since one will be needed (to validate the accounts), do not hesitate to consult chartered accountants (http://www.experts-comptables.fr/).

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