Entrepreneur fraud crackdown

Clearer warnings on insurance obligations and more powers to examine turnover figures are among proposals

AUTO-entrepreneurs should have their businesses closed after 18 months if they fail to declare any turnover, a MPs' report advises.

Among other proposals in the report, which examines issues surrounding France's simplest business regime, is that more power should be given to combat fraud.

A committee of three MPs produced key recommendations to the government, including that all auto-entrepreneurs should be forced into traditional business regimes after three years.

Other proposals include:
- More powers to anti-fraud office the DGCCRF to crack down on fraud such as false turnover, and disguised employment – where businesses force employees to set up as auto-entrepreneurs instead of employing them directly.

- Auto-entrepreneurs should receive clearer warnings on their responsibilities to carry insurance appropriate to their work.

- Those who carry out artisan work, even when it is not their main activity, must sign up with their local chambre de métiers.

- Enforced monthly or three-monthly turnover declarations, even if 'zero'.

The reports also recommend extending the simple sign-up and payment procedures to France's traditional self-employed business regimes.