Register spouse to help business

I am a French registered artisan builder and my wife wants to know about how to become a conjoint collaborateur. If she doesn’t have a job in her own right, does she have to become a conjoint collaborateur? We would be grateful for any advice.

Since June 2007 it is an obligation for the spouse who actively participates in their partner’s business to be registered as a conjoint collaborateur, conjoint salarié or conjoint associé, therefore legally recognizing their participation in their partner’s business.

This simple, affordable, registration (done with your chambre de métiers) was made obligatory because too many people were left with no health cover or pension cover in the sad event of a divorce or the death of their spouse, in particular if their sole professional activity was carried out in their partner’s business.

Your wife can be conjoint collaborateur yet still have a salaried job. On the other hand if she has a full time job with benefits elsewhere and/or is not involved in the running of your business then registering her is not appropriate. Based on your particular situation (income, age, etc.) your accountant can assist you in figuring out what basis to use for calculation of your spouse’s social charges as there are a number of ways this can be done.

Note that this system is also available for auto-entrepreneurs and that your spouse’s social charges are tax deductible as a business expense (régime réel only - not auto-entrepreneurs).