Starting as sole trader from abroad

Starting as sole trader from abroad

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Hi, I need some advice on whether I can become a sole trader from abroad.

I am English, but spend most the year working/living abroad (Poland) as a freelance English teacher.
Is it possible for me to register as a sole trader in the UK, even though I live and work abroad for 95% of the year?

I would have to register my business location as my parent's address in the UK. Would I go about registering in the same way as if I was based/running my business in the UK? Do I have to supply additional information? Is it ok to do?

I could register as a business in Poland, but the process and time it takes is ridiculous.

Thanks

Replies (6)

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By duncanedwards
16th Sep 2014 12:42

If you live and work in Poland presumably you need to register and pay tax in Poland.

I assume there are Polish advisers who could help with formalities.

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By ian_s
16th Sep 2014 12:53

Hi,

 

At the moment I  am registered and pay tax in Poland (not registered as a business here, I just pay as an employee, even though I am freelance - It's the way it works here). To simplify the process on all sides, the companies I work for have suggested that I set up as a company in the UK.

To set up a company here can take months. It took 1 week to find a bank (even multinational) that would let me open a bank account here.

 

As an EU citizen I do not need to register here as a non-resident.

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Replying to pauld:
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By Batheba
16th Sep 2014 19:38

Hello Ian, 

Hello Ian, 

Opening the bank account in fact is probably the most time cosuming part of registering as a enterprenuer, but it also depend on the bank. For you the best option is to register as a sole trader in Poland. This ir rather simply and quick process. Please find the link: https://prod.ceidg.gov.pl/CEIDG.CMS.ENGINE/?D;6e25f506-ab93-49a6-919f-ff...

On the linked page there's a help center where you can find answers for your questions. Altought the registration process isn't so complicated, the choice of taxation is important. As a leanguage teacher, you have some options. I think you should ask for help some tax adviser or good accountant. 

Kind Regards, 

Marcin Domanski

 

 

 

 

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By johngroganjga
16th Sep 2014 13:07

You say your advice is to set up a UK company then you ask about setting yourself up as a UK sole trader. 

Setting up a UK company is easy.  Whether it is a useful or desirable thing to do is another matter.

Setting yourself up as a UK sole trader when:

you live in Poland100% of your work is done in Poland0% of your work is done in the UK

... is a contradiction in terms, and therefore a logical impossibility.

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By ian_s
16th Sep 2014 13:41

Yes, I will admit that the contradiction had occurred to me.

 

It also occurred to me that the regional managers of the large language school chains that I work for are trying to get me to do this so they don't have to pay for my health care /pensions etc in Poland (not that that amounts to much and I have private health insurance anyway) whilst also depriving the Polish government of it's tax. When I asked them about this, they muttered something about it being OK "because of the EU".

 

However, I thought I'd look into it as it would certainly be better for me as an individual to be able trader or to set up as limited company, but I wanted to be sure of the legality and workability of it.

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By johngroganjga
16th Sep 2014 13:47

Not sure how it would deprive the Polish government of its tax.  How would that work then?  Why would you pay Polish tax on income you receive directly but not on income channelled to you through a UK company?

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