how to register company / freelancer in Finland

arkadin · Post by **arkadin** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:15 pm

Hi All ,

I am getting process of applying to some company in Finland (Name is not been shared yet )

so they ask me either i need to register my own company in Finland for getting my salary , can you please help me to understand the process

1. what are the type of company registration (as i will be the only employee of the company )
2. what are the procedure to apply for company
3. can i apply ass freelancer as i heard it also an option in finland
4. where i can inquire for the documentation process (if any website )
5. how about tax and other things

please help me on urgent bases

mail me if any document on arkadinjeni@gmail.com

**Sponsor:**

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:25 pm

arkadin wrote:Hi All ,

I am getting process of applying to some company in Finland (Name is not been shared yet )

so they ask me either i need to register my own company in Finland for getting my salary , can you please help me to understand the process

1. what are the type of company registration (as i will be the only employee of the company )
2. what are the procedure to apply for company
3. can i apply ass freelancer as i heard it also an option in finland
4. where i can inquire for the documentation process (if any website )
5. how about tax and other things

please help me on urgent bases

mail me if any document on arkadinjeni@gmail.com

Just to be clear: freelancer is considered employee, so they don't wonder about taxes, book keeping and all the other stuff that is needed with company.
http://www.prh.fi/en/kaupparekisteri/yr ... minen.html

arkadin · Post by **arkadin** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:31 pm

Hi

so i can register me as freelancer and can be part of employment rather then registering a company

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 7:03 pm

arkadin wrote:Hi

so i can register me as freelancer and can be part of employment rather then registering a company

You don't register freelancer. You just get freelance tax card. That is easier for you, but more hoops for the companies hiring you. Are they willing to do that or would they like more to get bill an pay it and that would be it?

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 8:44 pm

You can only register as a company in Finland if you are a resident in the EU. You can only get a freelance tax card if you resident in Finland.

I would be suspicious of any company that insists on operating in this way. They are trying to offload their responsibilities onto their employees...

You stand to lose out if you have to hire a bookkeeper to do your tax returns and you will also have to make your own social contributions (pension etc)

Is this company registered in Finland?

Eezy.fi might be an option for you

harryc · Post by **harryc** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 9:00 pm

Do you live near a 'large' city?

If so I suggest you make a visit to the main office of Vero there

These days Vero has probably the most helpful 'customer service' in Finland

Sit down with someone there and tell what your situation is - believe it or not - there is a 95% chance that they will find for you the best solution for YOU (- try it with Saunalahti and you will get a bill 2X what it could be

)

Somebody in the 90's turned Vero upside down and oriented it towards actually HELPING the taxpayer - of course, that did not include discounts

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 12:32 am

Yes. I agree. They are very helpful. They have even won awards for it

Nimi · Post by **Nimi** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 7:59 am

I did some days of freelance job months ago, it makes things complicated if not well taking care off from the taxation, union dues, pension etc. What I did was to call Vero office told them my situation and they gave me two options either to wait and pay the tax at the end of the year or to get a pre tax paid calculated from the amount I have earned already, I did choose to pay the pre tax amount immediately and also paid for my union dues as well to the union. They can be done online through your bank and the viite numeroa from both offices.

it can give you some complications if you do not know what to do and can result to tax avoidance, moreover when the company does not operate directly in Finland. Considering the economic downturn and unemployment issues you will see this kind of freelance jobs coming around which is good for the employer but makes the employee not saving for pension and other social issues, but allows you to earn money for your living expenses and relieve you from the stress and idolness associated with being unemployed and the work experience that comes along with being a freelancer is valuable.

harryc · Post by **harryc** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 8:15 am

Rosamunda wrote:
Yes. I agree. They are very helpful. They have even won awards for it

It's true - not sure what it was - perhaps result of a HS survey.

One HS survey showed the best customer service was given by a funeral director!! So fitting for the state of customer service in Finland - you have to die first!

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 10:00 am

Death and taxes. The two things you can't can't avoid and the best customer service is there? First one doesn't nowadays likely get much repeat business, the second one has you locked for life (or until emigration)

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 12:46 pm

Basically, you're getting screwed. You're not getting "a job" you are "selling services". So that means not only are you paying your taxes, you are paying their taxes and the social fees. So you need to charge proper contractor fees to cover your expenses and get dome nest egg as you can show up in the morning and they say goodbye, they say it to your company, and as you're not their employee, its up to you to deal with it. Also as you are a "rich enterpreneur", you don't qualify for unemployment benefits. I'd also look into eezy.fi - contracting has its benefits, but you need to "know" and not "think"

betelgeuse · Post by **betelgeuse** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 1:24 pm

Pursuivant wrote:So you need to charge proper contractor fees to cover your expenses and get dome nest egg as you can show up in the morning and they say goodbye, they say it to your company, and as you're not their employee, its up to you to deal with it.

On the flip side it's possible to draft a contract with equally good (or even better) protections as a contractor. However, the OP probably is not in a position to negotiate this.

Pursuivant wrote: Also as you are a "rich enterpreneur", you don't qualify for unemployment benefits.

There's earnings tied unemployment benefits for entrepreneurs these days:

http://www.syt.fi/index.php/fi/

Pursuivant wrote: I'd also look into eezy.fi - contracting has its benefits, but you need to "know" and not "think"

Agreed. One can always "upgrade" to own entity later.

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 4:47 pm

betelgeuse wrote:
Pursuivant wrote: I'd also look into eezy.fi - contracting has its benefits, but you need to "know" and not "think"
Agreed. One can always "upgrade" to own entity later.

Plus they have a nice calculator that gives you something to compare to: https://extra.eezy.fi/salaries/calculate?lang=en

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 4:50 pm

Need to buy stuff? Computers, tools, cameras etc.? Set up a proper company to deduct VATs. If you are buying something expensive with limited money and insurance cover, you might be wise to buy it yourself and get yourself protected as consumer.

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 7:57 pm

I think if you are with eezy.fi you are "their" employee from the tax/unemployment P.o.v - but I'd check how it exactly goes. Each country vas its own nice little snags.

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