Zelfstandige worden #2: je eigen zaak starten

Xerius

21 Aug 202002:52

Summary

TLDRThe video script serves as a comprehensive guide for aspiring entrepreneurs in Belgium, detailing the steps to start a business. It begins with mandatory legal registration at the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO), obtaining a unique enterprise number and activating a VAT number. It highlights the importance of social contributions for benefits like family allowance and medical cost reimbursements. The script also emphasizes the need for a separate business bank account and health insurance. It advises on the activation of the VAT number from the business start date, which allows for invoice issuing to clients. Lastly, it offers tips for choosing the ideal start date to maximize benefits and save costs, with an option to contact for further assistance.

Takeaways

📝 Start with the necessary legal registration as a self-employed individual by visiting an enterprise window to get your enterprise number, which is also your VAT number.
🔢 The enterprise number is unique to your business, similar to a national registration number on an ID card.
💰 The cost for this registration and additional permits you might need is set by the government, approximately at 155 euros.
🏦 Open a separate business bank account under the name of your business to keep your private and professional finances strictly separated.
🤒 Inform your health insurance fund of your new self-employed status to ensure you have the required health coverage.
📅 Receive your VAT number and wait for 3 to 5 working days before you can start your business operations.
🎉 Celebrate your new venture with a champagne, but remember to keep it cool until the right moment.
🗓 Choosing the right start date for your business can make a significant difference; the VAT number is only activated from the start date of your enterprise.
💸 You only pay social contributions for a full quarter, even if you start at the end of that quarter, which can save you money.
❓ For help in determining the ideal start date for your business, consider reaching out to the enterprise for further assistance.
🔄 If you are unsure about any details, you can revisit the enterprise's website or contact them for more guidance on starting as a self-employed individual.

Q & A

What is the first step to start a business in Belgium?
-The first step is to register as a self-employed individual by visiting an enterprise desk (ondernemingsloket) where you will be registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO) and receive a unique enterprise number.
What is the role of the enterprise number received after registration?
-The enterprise number is unique to your business and is somewhat comparable to the national register number on your identity card. It also activates your VAT number at the same time.
What does the VAT number stand for and when does it become active?
-The VAT number is essentially the same as the enterprise number but with 'BTW' (Belgian VAT) in front. It becomes active from the start date of your business.
What are the benefits of being registered as a self-employed individual in Belgium?
-Being registered as a self-employed individual provides social protection, including the right to family benefits, legal pension, reimbursement of medical costs, and unemployment benefits.
What is the approximate cost of the mandatory registration and obtaining additional permits?
-The cost is determined by the government and is approximately 155 euros.
What is the importance of having a separate business bank account?
-A separate business bank account ensures a clear separation between private and professional finances, and the tax authorities are not allowed to look into your private account.
What is the next step after registering the business and obtaining the VAT number?
-The next step is to inform your health insurance fund about your new status as a self-employed individual to ensure you have the required health insurance coverage.
How long does it take to activate the VAT number after obtaining it?
-It takes approximately 3 to 5 working days to activate the VAT number after obtaining it.
Why is it important to choose the right start date for your business?
-The start date is important because the VAT number is only activated from that date, and you can only send invoices to customers from then on. Also, social contributions are always paid for a full quarter, so starting at the right time can save money.
What should you do if you need help determining the ideal start date for your business?
-You can visit 'serieus.be' for a thorough read or contact them for further assistance in determining the ideal start date for your business.
What is the final advice given to someone who has just started their business?
-The advice is to celebrate the start of the business by buying champagne, chilling it, and popping the cork to mark the occasion.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Starting a Business in Belgium: Administrative Steps

This paragraph outlines the initial steps for starting a business in Belgium. It emphasizes the necessity of administrative procedures, such as mandatory legal registration at an enterprise desk, obtaining a business number akin to a national registration number, and activation of a VAT number. The paragraph also touches on social security contributions, the benefits of social protection, family allowance, pension, medical cost reimbursement, and unemployment benefits. It mentions the additional permits that might be required and the associated costs, which are determined by the government and approximately 155 euros. The paragraph concludes with a reminder of the importance of choosing the right start date for the business to align with the activation of the VAT number and to ensure compliance with social contributions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Self-Employment

Self-employment refers to the status of a person who works for themselves rather than for wages or a salary. In the video's context, it is about starting one's own business and becoming an independent entrepreneur. The script mentions the administrative steps required to register as a self-employed individual, which is a crucial part of the video's theme.

💡Administrative Procedures

Administrative procedures are the official actions or formalities required by law or regulation. The video discusses the necessity of going through certain administrative steps to start a business, such as registering with the KBO (Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen) and obtaining a business number, which is essential for legal recognition and operation.

💡Enterprise Number

An enterprise number is a unique identifier assigned to a business entity upon registration. In the script, it is compared to the registration number on an identity card, emphasizing its importance for identifying the business in official records and transactions.

💡VAT Number

A VAT (Value Added Tax) number is used to identify businesses for tax purposes within the European Union. The script explains that the enterprise number also activates as a VAT number, which is vital for invoicing customers and managing tax obligations.

💡Social Contributions

Social contributions are payments made by individuals or employers to finance social insurance programs. The video mentions the need to pay these contributions as a self-employed person to gain access to social benefits like healthcare and pension.

💡Health Insurance

Health insurance provides coverage for medical expenses and is mandatory for self-employed individuals in many countries, including Belgium. The script advises informing the health insurance fund about the new self-employed status to ensure proper coverage.

💡Business Bank Account

A business bank account is a financial account specifically for business transactions, separate from personal accounts. The video emphasizes the importance of having a separate account to maintain a clear distinction between personal and business finances, which is crucial for tax and legal purposes.

💡Taxation

Taxation refers to the process of levying a tax on individuals or businesses. In the script, it is mentioned in the context of activating a VAT number and paying social contributions, which are part of the tax obligations for self-employed individuals.

💡Start Date

The start date is the date when a business officially begins operations. The video script discusses the significance of choosing the right start date, as it affects the activation of the VAT number and the commencement of invoicing customers.

💡Legal Requirements

Legal requirements are the obligatory conditions or rules that must be met by law. The video outlines the various legal steps and registrations needed to start a business, such as obtaining an enterprise number and VAT number, which are part of the legal framework for self-employment.

💡Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur is an individual who creates a new business, bearing the risks and the potential rewards. The video is directed towards aspiring entrepreneurs, providing guidance on the steps to start their own business and navigate the associated administrative processes.

Highlights

Starting a business in Belgium requires navigating administrative processes.

Visit an enterprise desk for mandatory legal registration as a self-employed individual.

Mistakenly referring to the K.V.O. as a football association, corrected to K.B.O. (Crossroads Bank for Enterprises).

Receiving an enterprise number, comparable to a national register number on an identity card.

Enterprise number also activates as a VAT number, which is essentially the same number.

Being officially registered as a self-employed individual provides social protection.

Paying social contributions entitles to family benefits, legal pension, medical cost reimbursement, and unemployment benefits.

The enterprise desk also assists with obtaining additional permits that may be required.

The cost of registration and permits is determined by the government, approximately 155 euros.

Maintaining a separate business bank account ensures a clear separation between private and professional finances.

Informing the health insurance fund about starting a business is crucial for mandatory health insurance.

Receiving a VAT number allows for the commencement of business operations, which may take 3 to 5 working days.

The importance of choosing the right start date for the business is emphasized to maximize benefits.

VAT number activation only occurs from the start date of the business, affecting invoice sending to customers.

Social contributions are paid for a full quarter, even if the business starts at the end of the quarter.

Advice on determining the ideal start date for the business to save costs and maximize benefits.

Offering further assistance for starting a business through the provided contact information.