Independent consultant with €100,000 turnover: Sole proprietorship, single-member limited liability company or simplified joint-stock company, which retains the most?

1. The assumptions of the calculation

The typical case concerns a consultant whose activity is an unregulated freelance profession. They fall under the self-employed workers' scheme (TNS) for social security contributions (Urssaf) and the general retirement insurance scheme for their pension: the Interprofessional Pension and Old-Age Insurance Fund (Cipav) only covers a limited list of professions, which includes consulting engineers but not organizational, management, or IT consultants. If your pension statement mentions Cipav, the rates on this page do not apply.

• Activity €100,000 in annual turnover excluding VAT, €20,000 in deductible expenses excluding social security contributions, i.e. €80,000 profit before manager's remuneration. The micro-enterprise ceiling for a liberal activity is €83,600 in 2026: at €100,000, the actual regime applies.
• Personal situation Single person, one share of the family quotient, no other income, no contributions to a retirement savings plan (PER). Income tax (IR) scale 2026, on 2025 income, including the discount.
• Full distribution Everything the company earns is paid out within the year, either as salary or dividends. What the company retains, the sole proprietorship does not: this choice is addressed in section 8.
• Contribution thresholds : assumption, The thresholds expressed in euros apply to the base amount after the 26% deduction (59,200 euros in this case). Cnav circular 2025-14 states this for basic and supplementary pensions; the pages consulted do not mention it for sickness and family allowances. Section 3 provides the figures for the other interpretation.
• SASU : rate of a salaried manager without unemployment insurance. Hypotheses : work accident at 1 % (the actual rate is notified to the company), no general reduction of contributions (section 7), no supplementary insurance contract or mutual insurance, no accounting fees or formalities specific to companies.
• Retirement 35 years of service at the same level, 2026 values fixed, constant euros, reference period of 172 quarters (born in 1966 and later), with a pro rata calculation and no reduction. This is an order of magnitude for comparing pension schemes, not a forecast.

2. What changes between the three statuses

A sole proprietorship (EI) under the actual profit regime can also opt for corporate income tax (IS) by requesting to be treated as a single-member limited liability company (EURL) (Article 1655 sexies of the French General Tax Code, or CGI): a written request must be submitted to the business tax office before the end of the third fiscal month. This option is irrevocable, but can be revoked up to the month preceding the first corporate income tax installment of the fifth fiscal year following. The sole proprietorship then retains its self-employed status, and its remuneration is classified as wages and salaries. You obtain the tax advantages of an EURL without creating a separate company.

3. Social security contributions of a self-employed worker on €80,000 of profit

Since the reform of the social security contribution base, which came into effect in April 2026, contributions are calculated on income without deduction of contributions, reduced by one abatement of 26 %. For a profit of €80,000, the tax base is €59,200. The 2026 rates for an unregulated liberal profession (service-public.gouv.fr, information sheet verified on October 8, 2026) are as follows:

The contributions and €4,026 of general social contribution (6.8% of the taxable base) are deducted from taxable income: €56,600 instead of €80,000. The health insurance rate is found on the "craftsmen and tradespeople" page of service-public.gouv.fr, as the page for liberal professions does not specify the rate: we are using it as the common rate for self-employed workers, which is an assumption. The ceiling for the first bracket of supplementary retirement benefits is €48,060 on service-public.gouv.fr (craftsmen and tradespeople page) and €44,286 in the Cnav circular 2025-31: the latter would add €38 in contributions, without affecting the conclusions.

Another interpretation of the thresholds. If the thresholds for health insurance and family allowances were applied to earnings of €80,000 before deductions, contributions would increase from €25,117 to €26,487, an increase of €1,371 for all self-employed statuses (sole proprietorship and single-member limited liability company). Net income would then rise to €43,840 for sole proprietorships and €45,497 for single-member limited liability companies, compared to a maximum of €42,675 for a simplified joint-stock company (SASU) after pension adjustments: the ranking remains unchanged. SASU contributions are not affected by these thresholds.

4. The contributions of the president of a SASU: a salaried executive without unemployment benefits

The president of a SASU (Simplified Joint-Stock Company with a Single Shareholder) is considered an employee for social security purposes: their social security contributions are those of a managerial employee, except for unemployment insurance (service-public.gouv.fr). The 2026 rates for the general social security scheme and the Agirc-Arrco supplementary pension scheme (the scheme for private-sector employees) are as follows, based on gross salary. We use the full rates of 13% (sickness) and 5.25% (family allowances), since the general reduction is not applied:

• Employer's share : sickness 13 % (7 % for salaries below 2.25 times the minimum wage, or SMIC, at employers eligible for the general reduction), old age 8.55 % up to €48,060 and 2.11 % on the entire amount, family allowances 5.25 % (3.45 % up to 3.3 times the SMIC at the same employers), solidarity and autonomy 0.30 %, social dialogue 0.16 %, national housing assistance fund 0.10 %, supplementary pension 4.72 % + 1.29 % balancing contribution up to €48,060 then 12.95 % + 1.62 %, Apec (Association for Employment) contribution (of managers) 0.036 %, and 1 % of work accident (hypothesis).
• Employee share : old age 6.9 % up to €48,060 and 0.4 % on the whole, supplementary pension 3.15 % + 0.86 % up to €48,060 then 8.64 % + 1.08 %, Apec 0.024 %, generalized social contribution and contribution for the repayment of the social debt 9.7 % on 98.25 % of the gross.
• Above €48,060 : technical balancing contribution of 0.21 % (employer) and 0.14 % (employee).

For the company to spend €80,000, the maximum gross salary is €58,518 Employer contributions amount to €21,482 (36.7% of gross salary). The employee pays €6,590 in social security contributions and €5,577 in general social contribution and contribution for the repayment of the social debt. Total social security contributions are €33,649, i.e. 42.1 % of €80,000, compared to 31.4 % in TNS.

5. The result: who keeps the most?

The "annual savings" line item converts the retirement gap into effort: a capital of €290,594 is needed at retirement to contribute an additional €16,688 per year for 25 years at 3 %, meaning €3,945 must be saved each year for 35 years at 4 %. These returns are calculation assumptions, common to all our articles. A negative amount (SASU with full salary) means a higher pension than that of the EI.

6. Retirement acquired according to status

The basic pension is worth 50 times % of the average annual income (25 best years, capped each year at the Social Security ceiling of €48,060) × validated quarters ÷ 172. One quarter is validated with 150 hours at the minimum wage (SMIC), i.e., €1,803 of contributory income. For self-employed individuals (TNS), the supplementary pension converts contributions into points, at €21.726 per point, and each point pays €1.347 per year. For SASU companies, Agirc-Arrco points are calculated on 6.20 times % from the first bracket and 17 times % from the second bracket, at €20.1877 per point (purchase value as of January 1, 2026), and each point pays €1.4386 per year (since November 1, 2025).

The self-employed worker's basic pension is capped at the Social Security ceiling, just like an employee's: with a contribution base of €59,200, €11,140 does not generate any basic pension rights but does generate supplementary pension points. A president who pays themselves a salary of €58,518 accrues a pension of €31,425, €1,258 more than the self-employed worker, at the cost of €8,532 in additional social security contributions per year. A president who pays themselves only €7,212 validates their four quarters of contributions but only accrues a pension of €4,050. With no salary at all, they accrue no quarters: €44,075 in their pocket, no pension.

7. SASU: the right salary level

The highest cash balance (€46,147) corresponds to a salary of approximately €23,500: at this level, income tax on the salary is almost zero. A dividend is subject to 41.7% in cumulative levies when the corporate tax rate is 15% (then a flat-rate levy of 31.4% on the remaining amount), and 48.6% when the corporate tax rate is 25%, with no social security contributions in either case. Once retirement income is brought down to the level of the sole proprietorship, the best net income is €42,675 for a salary of €39,962, which is €3,823 less than the EURL.

The point we cannot resolve: the single, general, decreasing reduction. Since January 1, 2026, this reduction in employer social security contributions applies to salaries below three times the minimum wage (SMIC) (€65,629 per year). Service-public.gouv.fr indicates that an employment contract and an employer contributing to unemployment insurance are required, but says nothing about the president of a SASU (simplified joint-stock company). We did not apply it. To measure the loss if it were applied, we recalculated using its official formula (coefficient of 2 % + 37.81 % × [½ × (3 × annual minimum wage ÷ salary − 1)]).^1,75, (annual minimum wage of €21,876.40) and retaining the maximum reduction: the best net income of the SASU would amount to €46,212 for a salary of €22,627, i.e. €285 less than the EURL. Even at this upper limit, the SASU does not exceed the EURL ; It's roughly equal to it, within a few hundred euros. If you need to set a president's salary, have this entitlement confirmed by the Urssaf (French social security agency) before structuring the arrangement around this reduction.

8. How to decide

• You live off your salary and are aiming for a full retirement The EURL (single-member limited liability company) subject to corporate income tax, or the EI (sole proprietorship) with the option for corporate income tax, provides €46,497 in cash and €30,167 in retirement benefits. The EI without the option remains simple, at a cost of €1,698 per year.
• You want the best social protection The SASU (simplified joint-stock company) provides a full salary of €31,425 in retirement benefits, which is €1,258 more than the self-employed (TNS) but €4,517 less than the sole proprietorship (EI). This amount is obtained with 42.1% of social security contributions (%), compared to 31.4% of % for the self-employed.
• You leave the money in society A dividend is only paid when it is distributed. A company subject to corporate income tax (IS) levies a tax rate of 15% up to €42,500, then 25%; the flat-rate levy of 31.4% brings the total to 41.7% if the entire amount is distributed. A simplified joint-stock company (SASU) or a single-member limited liability company (EURL) may be suitable if the company finances investments, or if you want to control the timing of dividend payments.
• You have a pension elsewhere (spouse, long salaried career, assets): the minimum salary of €7,212 from the SASU and its dividends give €44,717 in pocket, at the price of €4,050 of pension acquired per year.
• You practice a profession within the Cipav pension fund. (consulting engineer): different rate and point value, calculation needs to be redone.

9. The PER, and what to do about the difference

The PER (Retirement Savings Plan) is deducted from taxable income up to the higher of 10% of the previous year's professional income (capped at eight times the Social Security ceiling) and 10% of the previous year's ceiling, i.e., a minimum of €4,710 and a maximum of €37,680 for a payment in 2026. The income considered is the profit after contributions for a sole proprietorship (EI) (€5,660 ceiling here), the remuneration after contributions and deduction of 10% for the manager of a single-member limited liability company (EURL) (€5,094 ceiling), and the net taxable salary for the president of a simplified joint-stock company (SASU). Unused ceilings can be carried forward for five years (BOFiP of August 10, 2026). The BOFiP does not mention dividends in this calculation.

The PER (Retirement Savings Plan) is more beneficial to a self-employed individual than to a low-salary SASU (Simplified Joint-Stock Company) president: a contribution of €5,660 saves €1,698 in tax for a sole proprietorship (tax bracket 30, %), whereas with a salary of €24,000, the contribution saves only €79, as salary tax is €79 and dividends remain outside the tax bracket. Details are available on the page PER deduction limit. THE Individual PER, shares in real estate investment companies (SCPIs) and the status of non-professional furnished rental provider are the usual ways to use the difference.

Frequently asked questions

Can a consultant remain a micro-enterprise with a turnover of €100,000?

The revenue threshold for a micro-enterprise operating as a freelance professional is €83,600 excluding VAT in 2026, to be met over the two preceding years. With €100,000 per year, the standard tax regime applies: profit is calculated by deducting actual expenses, in this case €20,000, and social security contributions are levied on €80,000 of profit, after the 26% allowance.

Are dividends from a SASU subject to social security contributions?

No. The tax administration's information sheet on the SASU (Simplified Joint-Stock Company with a Single Shareholder) specifies that dividends are not remuneration but investment income, not subject to social security contributions. They are subject to a flat tax of 31.4% in 2026 (12.8% income tax, 18.6% social security contributions), or, by option, the standard tax scale with a 40% allowance. This tax is in addition to the corporate income tax paid by the company.

Are dividends from a single-member limited liability company (EURL) subject to social security contributions?

Yes, for the portion exceeding 10% of the share capital: service-public.gouv.fr indicates that the manager's social security contributions are calculated on their net remuneration plus dividends exceeding 10% of the EURL's share capital. This rule limits the advantage of dividends in an EURL compared to a SASU.

Is the president of SASU entitled to unemployment benefits?

No. He is not affiliated with unemployment insurance and does not pay the corresponding contribution. He can take out optional supplementary unemployment insurance. The manager of a single-member limited liability company (EURL), being self-employed, is also not covered.

Can one be subject to corporation tax without creating a company?

Yes. A sole proprietor under the actual tax regime can request to be treated as a single-member limited liability company (EURL) (Article 1655 sexies of the French General Tax Code). They must submit a written request to the business tax office before the end of the third month of their fiscal year. This option is irrevocable, but can be revoked up until the month preceding the first corporate income tax installment of the fifth fiscal year following.

Our position

We do not intervene in the choice of legal structure, the articles of association, the accounting, the calculation of contributions, or the setting of the president's salary: that is the work of your lawyer and your accountant. Our role begins afterward: the use of your savings, the need to rebuild your retirement income, and the taxation of your savings, including retirement savings plans (PER), life insurance, real estate investment trusts (SCPI), and real estate. We receive commissions on contracts taken out through our firm.

Book an exchange with Balmont Conseil

Alexis Sagnier, financial and real estate investment advisor, insurance broker, AMF certified. ORIAS 13003497. Updated on 28/10/2026.

Official sources consulted

• Service-Public Entreprendre, «Social protection for the self-employed professional» (2026 rate for the unregulated self-employed profession, verified on October 8, 2026): entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
• Service-Public Entreprendre, "Social protection for traders and craftsmen" (sickness-maternity scale and family allowances, 26% reduction %): entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
• Public Service for Entrepreneurship, "Reform of the social security contribution base" (reduction of 26% %, April 2026): entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
• Service-Public Entreprendre, «Micro-entrepreneur: exceeding the thresholds» (ceiling of €83,600 for a freelance activity): entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
• Service-Public Entreprendre, "Contribution to vocational training" (0.25 % of the Social Security ceiling): entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
• Cipav, «Affiliation» (limited list of affiliated professions): lacicav.fr
• Retirement insurance, Cnav circular 2025-14 of April 4, 2025 (base after deduction of 26 %, rate of 17.87 % and 8.1 % / 9.1 %): legislation.lassuranceretraite.fr
• Retirement Insurance, Cnav circular 2025-31 of December 22, 2025 (supplementary retirement points for self-employed workers: €21.726 and €1.347): legislation.lassuranceretraite.fr
• Retirement Insurance, Cnav circular 2025-33 of December 23, 2025 (validation of quarters: 150 hours of minimum wage, €12.02): legislation.lassuranceretraite.fr
• Service-Public Entreprendre, "Retirement for the individual entrepreneur" (basic retirement formula, reference period of 172 quarters): entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
• Service-Public Entreprendre, "Supplementary pension for self-employed workers" (points rounded down to the nearest whole number): entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
• CLEISS, "Social security and unemployment contribution rates in France" (employee and employer rates as of January 1, 2026): cleiss.fr
• Agirc-Arrco, circular 2025-16 SG-DRJ, parameters as of January 1, 2026 (purchase value €20.1877, service value €1.4386, rate): agirc-arrco.fr
• Public Service for Entrepreneurship, "Social Security Contributions of the SASU" (president treated as an employee, without unemployment insurance): entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
• Public Service for Entrepreneurship, "Single General Degressive Reduction" (2026 formula, threshold of 3 times the minimum wage): entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
• Service-Public Entreprendre, «Taxation of the SASU» (corporate tax at 15 % and 25 %, single flat-rate levy of 31.4 %): entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
• Service-Public Entreprendre, "EURL" (manager's contributions, dividends exceeding 10 % of the capital): entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
• Service-Public Entreprendre, «Dividends of the majority manager» (single flat-rate levy, option for the scale with a 40% allowance %): entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
• Service-Public Entreprendre, "Sole proprietorship: option for corporation tax" (article 1655 sexies of the French General Tax Code, time limit, irrevocability): entreprendre.service-public.gouv.fr
• Directorate General of Public Finances, fact sheet "The single-member simplified joint-stock company (SASU)", March 2025: impots.gouv.fr
• impots.gouv.fr, "I am a company manager, can I benefit from actual expenses?" (deduction of 10 % for managers under article 62 of the French General Tax Code): impots.gouv.fr
• impots.gouv.fr, 2026 tax simulator, "professional expenses" assistance (deduction of 10 %: €509 minimum, €14,555 maximum for 2025 income): impots.gouv.fr
• BOFiP, BOI-RSA-GER-20 (remuneration of managers under article 62, deduction of contributions then of 10 %): bofip.impots.gouv.fr
• Service-Public, "CSG and CRDS on earned income" (CSG of 9.2 %, of which 6.8 % is deductible, CRDS of 0.5 %, tax base of 98.25 %): service-public.gouv.fr
• Service-Public, "Income tax: tax brackets" (2025 income, taxed in 2026): service-public.gouv.fr
• BOFiP, BOI-IR-LIQ-20-20-30 (discount of €897 and €45.25 % for a single person): bofip.impots.gouv.fr
• BOFiP, BOI-IR-BASE-20-50-20 (deduction ceiling for retirement savings contributions, carry-forward over five years), version of 10/08/2026: bofip.impots.gouv.fr

Read also

• Individual PER: operation and ceiling
• PER deduction ceiling in 2026
• SCPI: How it works and its return
• LMNP: the status of non-professional furnished rental owner
• Tax optimization: all the solutions