E Bay ?

[SandP]

We live in the UK at the moment and are in the process of looking at business opportunities in Spain. Hypothetically, IF I became Autonomo in my own name to run a bar or whatever, could my wife continue to buy and sell off e bay as she does now, making a small income - or would she have to declare this to the authorities ? Would she have to come Auonomo herself aswell ?

[Robster]

What are you asking here exactly : What you are obliged to do legally, or what you may be able to 'get away' with ?

[SandP]

I suppose what I am asking is this : Should we name my Wife as a dependant on me and my Autonomo status to get social security cover, or, as she makes a small income buying and selling on e bay, should we get her set up as an Autonomo in her own right ? Is there a limit that you can legally earn before you have to become Autonomo ? How likely is it that she will be caught out if we do not do this ?

[Chico]

Its not up to us to tell you what you should or should not do here, but the facts are this :

As your wife, she will be entitled to state healthcare (but no pension) as your dependant on your Autonomo status.

If she buys and sells on e bay, and does not raise invoices / facturas and takes payments via somebody like worldpay or paypal, how are the Spanish authorities going to find out exactly ? I'm not saying that doing this is entirely legal, but there are far more people dodging the system in a far more blatant and visible way than somebody making a few quid online every month.

I'd just keep your head down.

[Mekon]

Whilst technically what she would be doing is against the law, she would be very unliklely and very unlucky to be found out. The authorities have far bigger offenders, who are far more visible to be chasing after ahead of somebody making a few quid online at home.

[MustaphaP]

If you are that concerned why not just carry on trading - but in your name. Then it would be your business, and as you would already be an Autonomo, you would already be paying your subscription ?

[SandP]

Thanks Guys !
As you say, the logical thing seems to be to trade in my name and to start to declare it as and when it becomes an issue.