Becoming self-employed soon? Beware these 5 myths!

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Are you considering becoming self-employed? If so, you probably have a lot of questions, like: Is it mandatory to hire an accountant? Do I still pay taxes, even if I’m not earning much yet? Do I have to join a union for the self-employed?

In this article, we debunk 5 common myths about self-employment, so you can get started with confidence.

Myth #1: Hiring an accountant is mandatory

❌ False.

Many new freelancers think they need to have an accountant. This isn't entirely true.

When you’re self-employed as a sole trader in Belgium, you can easily manage your own accounting using an app like Accountable, for example. This will save you several hundred euros.

The added value of an accountant lies in the financial advice they provide. This becomes increasingly useful as your business grows and your accounting becomes more complex.

Are you self-employed with a company? In that case, hiring a chartered accountant becomes a must.

Myth #2: You need to join a union for the self-employed 

❌ False.

When you become self-employed, you receive various letters in the post that look like official invoices from unions for the self-employed, e.g. an invitation to join the SDI/SDZ, a Belgian union for the self-employed and SMEs.

But beware: these are often commercial in nature and not legitimate invoices. You only need to pay if you want to become a member.

A genuine invoice always features the word Invoice (or Facture / Factuur) and mentions your company registration number on the document. If it doesn’t? Then it’s not a real invoice, and you’re under no obligation to pay!

Myth #3: When you don’t earn much, you don't pay taxes 

❌ False.

Many newly self-employed people think, "I don't earn much yet, so I won't have to pay taxes." Unfortunately, that’s not how it works.

Even with a limited income, you still need to pay taxes, although there is a ‘tax-exempt portion’.

This year (2025), the amount is €10,570. If your net taxable income (i.e., turnover - social security contributions - professional expenses) is less than or equal to this amount, you won’t have to pay income tax.

If you earn more, the tax-exempt portion is calculated as a ‘reduction’ of the total amount you need to pay in taxes.

Important! Before becoming self-employed in a secondary occupation, note that your income from your self-employed activity is added to your employee salary for tax purposes.

Therefore, even if your secondary income is below the tax-exempt threshold, you’ll still be taxed on it if your total income exceeds the tax-exempt amount.

The best way to keep as much of your income as possible is to generate sufficient business expenses. Read more here.

Myth #4: The more money I spend, the better

❌ False.

Not everything you buy is tax-deductible. Also, you can only claim professional expenses against your taxes, as private expenses are not taken into account.

It’s tempting to make a few expensive purchases at the end of the year to reduce your tax burden. But remember: every expense costs money, and the most important thing is that your business is making a profit. So, only invest in expenses that actually bring value to your business.

Myth #5: Accounting software is only for experts

❌ False.

You don't need an accounting degree or years of experience to be able to handle your own accounting.

Thanks to user-friendly tools like Accountable, accounting is easy, even for those starting out.

Tools like this allow you to track your income, expenses, and taxes right from your smartphone, so you have a clear overview and can manage everything easily.

We hope these answers give you the confidence to embark on your freelance adventure. Ready to take control of your admin and accounting?

Try Accountable free for 14 days.

Author - Nicolas Quarré

Nicolas is co-founder and CEO at Accountable. His vision for the company has always been clear: free self-employed from administrative nightmares.

Who is Nicolas ?