Anybody know of a company that can invoice clients on your behalf? Thread poster: Lisa McCarthy
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Hi there
New to the site and fairly new to translation as I work mainly as a business English teacher. I've had a look at the forum threads to see if my question has been answered previously but it seems it hasn't.
I was considering registering as a freelance translator but at the moment can't afford to pay the 240 or so costs each month as I am still studying so can't do enough work to cover the expense. I've heard that there are companies who will invoice clients on ... See more Hi there
New to the site and fairly new to translation as I work mainly as a business English teacher. I've had a look at the forum threads to see if my question has been answered previously but it seems it hasn't.
I was considering registering as a freelance translator but at the moment can't afford to pay the 240 or so costs each month as I am still studying so can't do enough work to cover the expense. I've heard that there are companies who will invoice clients on your behalf, paying the relevant taxes in exchange for a commission. Does anybody have the name of such a company or experience using one?
All help appreciated.
Thanks
Lisa ▲ Collapse
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Maybe I have no business answering, since I live in a different country.
But I am sure any accountant would be happy to do this for you, provided you pay for it.
I have only just started doing a bit of freelance translating myself, and I did not have to pay anything to start, as I am already registered as self-employed.
I have downloaded an invoicing software that looks quite promising, after getting some info from my accountant as to what is sufficient info for tax purposes... See more Maybe I have no business answering, since I live in a different country.
But I am sure any accountant would be happy to do this for you, provided you pay for it.
I have only just started doing a bit of freelance translating myself, and I did not have to pay anything to start, as I am already registered as self-employed.
I have downloaded an invoicing software that looks quite promising, after getting some info from my accountant as to what is sufficient info for tax purposes about this. I do not really see the need to employ anyone to do this?
Sending reminders and keeping track of payments may turn out to be worse. So far I have opted for not accepting any work for anyone who does not have a good BLue Board record, and if they do not pay me, I won't work for them again.
Works fine for small jobs, and that is what I have been getting to start with. HOpefully, I shall not run into problems later on. ▲ Collapse
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| Umbrella company? | Aug 12, 2007 |
This seems a solution to your needs - they provide the service mostly to IT frelancers, but there might be some specialising in other fields as well, either in Spain or back in Ireland (you'd be "exporting" your services to Spain then)
Still, on the financial side this might be the same as registration as self-employed - needs checking.
How about registering as self-employed in Ireland and again "exporting" your services to Spain - is it financially and legally viable?
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Lisa McCarthy 
Spain
Local time: 05:47
Spanish to English
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TOPIC STARTER | Company to do my invoicing for me | Aug 12, 2007 |
Thanks for your replies and suggestions.
I think getting an accountant to do the work for me may well cost as much as becoming freelance and paying my own Social Security.
With regard to registering in Ireland I haven't lived there for over 17 years now and would rather keep things as straightforward as possible. I plan to live in Spain long-term so would like to organise everything through the system here.
I saw a company that did this kind of thing b... See more Thanks for your replies and suggestions.
I think getting an accountant to do the work for me may well cost as much as becoming freelance and paying my own Social Security.
With regard to registering in Ireland I haven't lived there for over 17 years now and would rather keep things as straightforward as possible. I plan to live in Spain long-term so would like to organise everything through the system here.
I saw a company that did this kind of thing but I just can't remember where on the net I saw it.
Any more ideas welcome! ▲ Collapse
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Lia Fail (X)
Spain
Local time: 05:47
Spanish to English
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| This is Spain | Aug 12, 2007 |
I know exactly what your problem is, as it's a problem for all freelancers starting off in a small way with no capital in Spain - that to be 100% legal you have to register with the tax authorities, but also with the social security body AND PAY nearly 250 euros from the outset per month irrespective of what you earn.
I will write you a mail privately and tell you how people typically deal with this conundrum.
Ailish
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lexical
Spain
Local time: 05:47
Portuguese to English
| Some (vague) thoughts | Aug 12, 2007 |
Hi Lisa,
Presumably these translations are not coming via the school for which you give the business English lessons (if that's what you do), or you could just ask them to pay them as "extra lessons". I'm assuming you are employed "por cuenta ajena" and are not an "autonomo".
I'm sorry if this next bit is very vague but I've never needed to take advantage of it myself and have a very imperfect recollection of it, but it has come up in the Spanish Forum. What I seem to ... See more Hi Lisa,
Presumably these translations are not coming via the school for which you give the business English lessons (if that's what you do), or you could just ask them to pay them as "extra lessons". I'm assuming you are employed "por cuenta ajena" and are not an "autonomo".
I'm sorry if this next bit is very vague but I've never needed to take advantage of it myself and have a very imperfect recollection of it, but it has come up in the Spanish Forum. What I seem to recall is that you can earn up to 4000 euros a year without paying social security. I've no idea if this is on top of your earnings as an English teacher or includes them - probably the latter. Maybe someone reading this will know better.
You might ask yourself how much you expect to earn from translations. Social security as an autonomo will cost you 221,96 euros a month this year, which I would regard as less than 2 days' translating.
It might be a good idea to post your question in the Spanish Forum - there are some very knowledgable people in there, who are a lot more clued up than the staff at the Hacienda. ▲ Collapse
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lexical
Spain
Local time: 05:47
Portuguese to English
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Véronique L.
France
Local time: 05:47
English to French
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| sociedad cooperativa? | Aug 12, 2007 |
LisaMac wrote:
I've heard that there are companies who will invoice clients on your behalf, paying the relevant taxes in exchange for a commission.
Hi LisaMac,
In France, we've got what we call "société de portage" which basically follows the same principle as the "umbrella company" Iza was suggesting.
I remember I came across this when I was trying to find if there was something similar in Spain: http://www.freelancecooperativa.blogspot.com/
I have no idea how legal or widespread this practice is in Spain, so I think you should check (and be careful!).
Véronique
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