Do I need a VAT number straight away to be able to quote and invoice?
Anne R Italy Local time: 22:25 Member (Jan 2012) English to French
Jan 12
Hello All,
I have just registered as a Proz member and would like to start quoting for some translations jobs. However, as a resident in Italy still working part time as employee in a company, I do not have a VAT number at present. By law I can invoice Italian clients without having a VAT number up to a certain total amount for what is considered by law as 'occasional work', but I was wondering whether I can quote and work for a non Italian client/agency and invoice without having a VAT number?
I am quite perplexed because I actually have chosen to go part time for the next 3 months in order to be able to build my translation clientele. If I quit my job after March and only dedicate myself to translations, then I'll take a VAT number, but I am not sure I can actually take one now, in view of the fact that I am also an employee.
Therefore my first question at all is: will non italian job posters/potential clients on Proz refuse my quote/giving me a translation job if I do not have a VAT number yet?
Thank you for any feedback!
Anne
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lcstranslations Italy Local time: 22:25 Member (2010) Italian to English
VAT
Jan 12
Hi, I started working without a VAT number but it became much too much of a hassle and after about two weeks I got one straight away. I also was a part-time employee at the time and quickly moved onto working only as a freelancer.
There are different regimes available so you need to speak with an accountant to make sure you choose the correct one and are aware how to draw up an invoice and also what to do when working with clients abroad.
Italy is a very difficult country to live and work in and often even if you do everything by the book they still hassle you.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Linda
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Anne R Italy Local time: 22:25 Member (Jan 2012) English to French
TOPIC STARTER
VAT Italy
Jan 13
Hi,
Thank you for your comment, it is very useful. I actually spoke with an accountant yesterday and he was pretty useful, and I guess I will get that VAT number but did not understand whether of not I can open one, as you say here, and still be working as employee in the meantime. Do you think if I go to the Agenzia Entrate they provide information about this?
Last to get back on my first question, do you think non Italian clients will want me to have a VAT number straight away? I used to work in the UK and if I remember well there freelance translators do not have to have a VAT number up until a certain amount of work invoiced.
[Edited at 2012-01-13 07:29 GMT]
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Sheila Wilson Spain Local time: 21:25 Member (2007) English + ...
There are many possible countries
Jan 13
Hello Anne,
I would say that there will be possibilities for you. Of course, you've got the entire world outside of the EU for starters! That gives you currency conversion hassles but then life's never smooth. Also, the UK don't seem to have implemented things the way other countries have. They are refusing to give freelancers a VAT number unless they register for VAT (unlike France where they will give you a VAT number just to give you the ability to invoice clients in other EU states, but you stay exempt from charging/reclaiming it), so I imagine they extend the same premise to other countries' freelancers.
HTH
Sheila
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Williamson United Kingdom Local time: 21:25 Flemish to English + ...
Thresholds
Jan 13
Anne Rabier wrote:
Hi,
Thank you for your comment, it is very useful. I actually spoke with an accountant yesterday and he was pretty useful, and I guess I will get that VAT number but did not understand whether of not I can open one, as you say here, and still be working as employee in the meantime. Do you think if I go to the Agenzia Entrate they provide information about this?
Last to get back on my first question, do you think non Italian clients will want me to have a VAT number straight away? I used to work in the UK and if I remember well there freelance translators do not have to have a VAT number up until a certain amount of work invoiced.
[Edited at 2012-01-13 07:29 GMT]
The threshold : A turnover of £ 73,000 per annum
In Italy, there is no threshold, so I am afraid you need a VAT-number straight away.
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Anne R Italy Local time: 22:25 Member (Jan 2012) English to French
TOPIC STARTER
VAT o no VAT
Jan 14
[quote]Sheila Wilson wrote:
Hello Anne,
I would say that there will be possibilities for you. Of course, you've got the entire world outside of the EU for starters! That gives you currency conversion hassles but then life's never smooth. Also, the UK don't seem to have implemented things the way other countries have. ....
seems all complicated, to me, so I can quote Italian companies without as VAT number, and non European ones as well, but instead I cannot quote European clients without a VAT number.. I knew the beginnings would be difficult, but it all looks like 'chicken and egg' to me..
[Edited at 2012-01-14 15:39 GMT]
[Edited at 2012-01-14 15:40 GMT]
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Sheila Wilson Spain Local time: 21:25 Member (2007) English + ...
I think you've got the hang of it
Jan 14
I know, it's as clear as mud and not easy to live with even when you've understood it! I've tried to set out below the various categories in a logical way:
- If you can legally work in Italy without a VAT number, then you're OK invoicing anyone at all in Italy (though you'll probably have to include some sort of statement to that effect on the invoice).
- Outside of the EU, VAT doesn't exist so there's absolutely no problem.
- Even when dealing with other EU countries, you can still invoice private individuals and those freelancers and companies who do not themselves have a VAT number. That means that another freelance translator in another EU country may well be able to outsource to you quite legally.
So, in summary: your only problem will come when invoicing Vatable clients in the EU but outside Italy.
Hope that makes it a little clearer. (And I hope it's correct. I think it is but...)
Sheila
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Anne R Italy Local time: 22:25 Member (Jan 2012) English to French
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Thank you - not sure I have the hand of quoting and replying to a specific member though! :-)
Jan 14
Sheila Wilson wrote:
I know, it's as clear as mud and not easy to live with even when you've understood it! I've tried to set out below the various categories in a logical way:
- If you can legally work in Italy without a VAT number, then you're OK invoicing anyone at all in Italy (though you'll probably have to include some sort of statement to that effect on the invoice).
- Outside of the EU, VAT doesn't exist so there's absolutely no problem.
- Even when dealing with other EU countries, you can still invoice private individuals and those freelancers and companies who do not themselves have a VAT number. That means that another freelance translator in another EU country may well be able to outsource to you quite legally.
So, in summary: your only problem will come when invoicing Vatable clients in the EU but outside Italy.
Hope that makes it a little clearer. (And I hope it's correct. I think it is but...)
Sheila
[Edited at 2012-01-14 17:26 GMT]
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