Mar 14, 2012

The Same Product Taxed 3 Different Ways in France – Merci les Impôts!

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I am nearly done writing my first book. My curiosity got the best of me so I started looking into what I would owe in taxes once it is for sale. This seemed simple enough. I am an auto-entrepreneur, which is similar to a sole-proprietor in the USA but with many limits.This book is going to be available as a paperback and ebook. Business activities are labeled as either commercial or service. Selling a paperback book is a commercial activity so I will owe 13% in taxes. The ebook is a service activity and taxed at 20.5%. If I were to give the book to a publisher then my royalties would be … [Read more...]

Mar 9, 2012

Balancing Baby, Book, Blog and Body – Whew!

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Life is great after our move to the south of France. We are finally settled and enjoying this small village. We could not tour around outside of the village because Juliana was wearing a hip brace and could not fit in her car seat with it. Working at home with baby can be challenging at times – not only because she needs me constantly throughout the day, but she is just too darn cute to put down!For the month of February, I spent every spare moment I had into working on a book. I thought if I could focus all my energy into it, I could finish it by the end of the month. Sometimes life … [Read more...]

Jan 9, 2012

Starting a Business in France as an Auto-Entrepreneur

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One of the first things you need to do is to select the activity you plan on pursuing from a list provided by the government.  Activities are divided and taxed based on the category it falls in. For instance, if you are a plumber, then you will have to state that you will be starting a plumbing business. Auto-entrepreneurs will be registered either under RSI or under CIPAV. There is not one sole tax agency, like the IRS is in the USA.You will be under CIPAV if you are an architect, psychologist, consultant or perform a similar type of activity. Everyone else will fall under RSI. If you … [Read more...]

Aug 29, 2011

Tips for Women Entrepreneurs in France for Starting a Business

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When starting a business in France, it is important to solidify your business idea, register it with the appropriate offices and find a support group. Be prepared for obstacles and be open to advice from other French business women.Finding a job in France is getting even more difficult. The headlines in our local paper a few days ago stated that unemployment has risen again. This mixed with the fact that women in France are often paid less and find it harder to move up the ladder, it is tempting to create a business than to keep trying to search for the perfect job.Here are some quick … [Read more...]

Aug 28, 2011

Obstacles to Starting a Business in France

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It is not a secret that starting a business in France is a challenge. There was an article on CNN Money about how talented young entrepreneurs are leaving France to open their doors in more business-friendly areas, such as Silicone Valley, CA. My husband even tried to convince me that we should move to the UK!There are many theories to why entrepreneurs are leaving France, but my thoughts are it is a combination of high taxation, confusing business legal structures and cultural acceptance. … [Read more...]

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