Becoming a software consultant in Sweden can be a great way to start your own business, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. However, with a little bit of guidance, you can get started quickly and avoid common pitfalls.
Why should I become self employed?
One of the best things about being a self-employed consultant is that you have the freedom to work on projects that you're passionate about, and you're in control of your own schedule. However, it's important to remember that you're also responsible for all aspects of your business, including accounting, taxes, budget, insurance and client acquisition. No need to fear, though! Even if taxes seem overwhelming, you can get support from companies like Wint, or us at Majojo who are there to help you every step of the way!
Some may believe that self-employment is less secure, but recent events have shown that this is not the case. In fact, it may be easier to find a new consulting assignment as opposed to searching for a new job after being laid off. Additionally, with experience, one can quickly build an economic buffer in the company to rely on during difficult times.
Starting your company
When it comes to starting your company, there are mainly two options:
Buy a “lagerbolag”.
Start it yourself.
We won’t go into more details since there is a lot of information about this online. But basically the benefit of "lager bolag" is that it is very quick to start. Starting a company yourself takes a bit longer, but can save you more money. It is quite easy to start a company yourself - you just need 25,000kr and then just follow the steps on https://www.verksamt.se/starta
You can also start a company using Wint for no extra fees as long as you sign up with using their booking service for a year. https://www.wint.se/for-vem/starta-bolag
Bookkeeping
When it comes to bookkeeping, you can either do it yourself or use a service like Wint. If you choose to do it yourself, it's important to make sure that you keep accurate records and stay on top of your taxes. If you're not comfortable doing your own bookkeeping, then using a service like Wint can be a great way to take care of this task. Also, keep in mind that bookkeeping would be a company expense and not a personal one.
Wint also helps you with:
VAT reporting (Directly to Skatteverket)
Financial year-end bookkeeping (Bokslut)
Invoicing
Salary payment
Receipt handling
Invoice payment
Bookkeeping questions
Selecting salary and dividends (utdelning)
When it comes to determining your salary as a self-employed consultant in Sweden, it ultimately comes down to how much you want to earn each month. However, there are certain factors to consider in order to maximize your pension and healthcare benefits while staying below the tax limit.
In 2023, one recommendation would be to aim for a salary of 51,158 kr/month, as everything above this will be taxed by an additional 20%. This salary will not only allow you to receive the maximal pension and healthcare benefits, but it will also enable you to take a dividend (utdelning) of 306,950 kr/year. It's important to note that dividends are taxed at a lower rate of only 20%.
On the other hand, if you choose to take a lower salary or no salary at all, you can still take a utdelning of 195,250 kr/year (”schablonbelopp” 2023). This can be a good option for those who want to keep their taxable income low, but still want to receive some income from their business.
Finding assignments and pricing
When it comes to finding assignments as a self-employed consultant, you have two options: you can either do it yourself or use a broker like us at Majojo. Each option has its own set of pros and cons. If you’re in the market for an assignment, take a look at our open opportunities here: https://www.majojo.se/blog/categories/assignemts
Doing it yourself will make you able to save a bit more money since there is no broker fee. However, this option requires more effort on your part and you'll need to have a strong network of contacts to help you find new clients.
On the other hand, using a broker like Majojo can be a great way to get your business off the ground quickly. Note that many of the larger companies will only hire consultants through brokers that they have agreements with, so using a broker can definitely open up new opportunities for you. The downside is that brokers typically charge a fee, usually around 10-20%. At Majojo, we try to keep things easy for you so we charge a standard rate of only 10%.
When it comes to pricing, the rate you can charge will depend on your experience. In Stockholm, the common rate for software consultants varies between 750-1100kr per hour.
Conclusion
So, to sum it up, becoming a software consultant in Sweden can be a great way to start your own business! it requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but it is well worth the effort. By following the tips and tricks we mentioned above, and using external services, you can make the process of starting your own consultancy a smooth one!
If you still find it scary we at Majojo can help you along the way just contact us at hej@majojo.se, We can also help you with finding an assignment that suits you! So just reach out and we will be happy to help! 😊
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