How to become a professional translator?

Marina Oreškovic-COO

When one works as a professional translator there are many legal options that regulate your work activity. Having the ability to issue invoices whether you are a translation company or a sole proprietor is bound to make you a more desirable business partner to translation companies and other clients you may have. If you are working for a translation company as a physical person they will have to pay higher taxes on your services and claim a VAT number so they can pay the taxes in their country. These procedures take time and cost money, hence professional translators who have the ability to issue invoices will be chosen first. Also, in any form of registration you will also be able to deduct your expenses such as CAT software licenses and others, which you cannot do as a physical person. 

Your business in most countries could take one of three basic forms such as

• a sole proprietor/sole trader/self-employed. This is the simplest way of starting a business and has many advantages.
• a partnership which is similar in form to a sole trader except that two or more people run the business.
• a limited liability company means that the business is a separate entity from the people who run it.  
• you could also open a franchise or work in a cooperative but these will not be covered as this is not the case with most translators.

Firstly, a sole proprietorship is easy to set up, make changes to and close. This is probably the best option if your plan is to employ only yourself and not grow your business. Most governments have websites and help lines where you could get informed and it takes a few days to get all the documentation and papers ready for your trade. In this case you will pay your own contributions for health care and pension funds. In most countries if you do not make enough money you will get an exemption but will still have to pay minimal amounts for which you are liable with your personal property. Obviously, the main attraction of sole proprietorship is having the flexibility to arrange your own schedule. However, this can be offset by not being certain of having a regular income, having to arrange your own sick pay and pension and in reality having to work long hours. Still, if you try it and it does not work out, a trade is easy to close.

The other option that professional translators use is a limited liability company. It costs a bit more money to set one up and you have to keep records of financial statements which can further drive up the cost. However, you are not responsible with your personal assets for any losses your may incur, which is a great advantage. Limited liability companies are also hard to close, so if you fail it might be a better solution to just sell it to someone. Finally, sometimes limited liability companies are viewed as more ‘professional’.

These are great options for someone who wants to make translating their career but for someone who translates on a part time basis they might be too expensive. For part time translators it might be worth looking into becoming a member of a professional language or linguist association that can issue invoices for you. That way the translation companies you want to work for will have an invoice and you will be competitive without any administration. Usually, as most linguist and language associations are non-profit they will agree to do that for you if you become their member.