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Registering as an independent with only 1 client?
Jul 25, 2018 @ 13:57

Greetings glocals, 


I recently began working for a newly founded association as a consultant. My "contract" is to work for them for 6 months. I was told I could register with OCAS as an independent. However, OCAS  informed me I only qualify as an independent with at least 3 clients. They consider me to be salaried and say the association should register with OCAS and pay the necessary social charges. I've also read on other forums that freelancers with 1 or 2 clients don't need to register the income. Is this true?


If so, since this is a new association, is there some leeway to make the argumet that this is my first client and not follow through with registering with OCAS? My salary is quite low as it is and meets the bare minimum of my budget. Registering as salaried takes a much larger portion of my paycheck out. 


Any info is appreciated! 

The text you are quoting:

Greetings glocals, 


I recently began working for a newly founded association as a consultant. My "contract" is to work for them for 6 months. I was told I could register with OCAS as an independent. However, OCAS  informed me I only qualify as an independent with at least 3 clients. They consider me to be salaried and say the association should register with OCAS and pay the necessary social charges. I've also read on other forums that freelancers with 1 or 2 clients don't need to register the income. Is this true?


If so, since this is a new association, is there some leeway to make the argumet that this is my first client and not follow through with registering with OCAS? My salary is quite low as it is and meets the bare minimum of my budget. Registering as salaried takes a much larger portion of my paycheck out. 


Any info is appreciated! 


Carolina DJul 25, 2018 @ 13:57
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Re: Registering as an independent with only 1 client?
Post 1
Jul 29, 2018 @ 19:36

Hi Carolina, I think registering you as independent is depending of your permit of residence, if you are European citizen and lived in Switzerland from long time it’s easier to register you, as I know no need to register in OCAS as independent if you don’t have an income exceeding 100K Chf

The text you are quoting:

Hi Carolina, I think registering you as independent is depending of your permit of residence, if you are European citizen and lived in Switzerland from long time it’s easier to register you, as I know no need to register in OCAS as independent if you don’t have an income exceeding 100K Chf


Hedi LAKHAL, Jul 29, 2018 @ 19:36
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Re: Registering as an independent with only 1 client?
Post 2
Aug 3, 2018 @ 13:38

Hi,


The rule of having at least 3 clients is correct and usually applied by the Swiss social security administration (OCAS). Before you become a "real" independent you are effectively treated as an employee in matter of social security contributions and the association who employs you has a certain responsibility (for the payment of the contributions).


As Hedi mentions, there might be some implications if you need a working permit, because the permit for an employee is not the same as for an independent.


Regarding your other question, the answer might depend on whether you are resident in Switzerland (tax on a tax return) or resident in France (taxed at source). You should assum that all revenues should be declared, except if they are really marginal and below the taxable thresholds.

The text you are quoting:

Hi,


The rule of having at least 3 clients is correct and usually applied by the Swiss social security administration (OCAS). Before you become a "real" independent you are effectively treated as an employee in matter of social security contributions and the association who employs you has a certain responsibility (for the payment of the contributions).


As Hedi mentions, there might be some implications if you need a working permit, because the permit for an employee is not the same as for an independent.


Regarding your other question, the answer might depend on whether you are resident in Switzerland (tax on a tax return) or resident in France (taxed at source). You should assum that all revenues should be declared, except if they are really marginal and below the taxable thresholds.


Per P, Aug 3, 2018 @ 13:38
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Re: Registering as an independent with only 1 client?
Post 3
Aug 4, 2018 @ 20:07

Dear Carolina,


I am also an independant in Geneva and just created my SARL company. From the moment you start making money in Switzerland, you should declaire it and pay AVS and taxes, just like everyone else. OCAS is right, to get an independant status, you usually have six months where during that period, you must prove that you have at least 3 clients and several invoices from those 3 or more clients. Check out their website but usually if you make very little, you wont have to pay much AVS nor taxes.


I am an integration cultural coach and i help expats who are newcomers to Geneva with questions like yours, to save them time and money as i am a true Genevoise and have a big network.


Feel free to contact me if you have any questions: www.languagecoachinggeneva.ch


Best of luck!

The text you are quoting:

Dear Carolina,


I am also an independant in Geneva and just created my SARL company. From the moment you start making money in Switzerland, you should declaire it and pay AVS and taxes, just like everyone else. OCAS is right, to get an independant status, you usually have six months where during that period, you must prove that you have at least 3 clients and several invoices from those 3 or more clients. Check out their website but usually if you make very little, you wont have to pay much AVS nor taxes.


I am an integration cultural coach and i help expats who are newcomers to Geneva with questions like yours, to save them time and money as i am a true Genevoise and have a big network.


Feel free to contact me if you have any questions: www.languagecoachinggeneva.ch


Best of luck!


Rachelle P, Aug 4, 2018 @ 20:07
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