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Learn why clients may need proof of your business status and how to show you're legally operating as an independent professional to start contracts faster.


In this article

 

Why do I need to prove that I have a business?

Some clients — especially those with compliance requirements — need confirmation that you're legally operating as an independent business before they can start a contract.

This is common with Enterprise contracts. You might be asked to confirm your business status before you're offered a contract, or even when submitting a proposal.

  • Completing this step in advance helps you become “Enterprise Ready” — and can help you start work faster if you land a contract that requires a compliance review.
  • While you can wait until you win the contract, you’ll need to complete this process before you can begin working.

The good news? As a freelancer on Upwork, you're already operating as a business — typically as a sole proprietor. There are benefits to this structure, as well as to others like LLCs and corporations. 

But some clients may require more formal documentation beyond your activity on Upwork.

 

How do I show clients that I have a business?

You can submit one or more of the following:

  • Business license
  • Proof of status as a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or other entity, such as articles of organization, certificate of incorporation, or online registration summary
  • Proof of registration with any tax, social security, or other agency as an independent contractor, sole trader, private entrepreneur, or other self-employed individual
  • Proof of registration of a business name (dba), such as a fictitious business name statement, registration of trade name, or certificate of assumed name
  • Form of notice showing your U.S. Employer Identification Number (EIN) or international business tax number
  • Certificate of Insurance or other proof of liability insurance
  • Proof that you have unemployment or workers’ compensation insurance
  • Invoices to other clients within the last 12 months
  • Business tax return (e.g. Schedule C from U.S. Form 1040)
  • Commercial office space lease
  • Coworking space membership or lease
  • Proof of payrolling yourself or hiring employees or freelancers for your business

 

Note:
Your can redact (blur out or hide) sensitive information such as financial, tax, or other information you consider private. Just make sure what’s visible still shows what type of document it is and confirms you’re running a business. Information you share through the our platform is protected by Upwork’s Privacy Policy.

 

 

How do I show that I have a business in my country?

Below is a list of commonly accepted business documents in countries with more specific guidance:

 

Country Commonly accepted business documents
Australia
Canada

Denmark

(More on registry)

  • CVR-number (Central Business Registration Number)
  • Registration as a company, such as Sole Proprietorship (“Enkelmandsvirksomhed”), Partnership (“Interessentskab - I / S”), Entrepreneurial Limited Company (“Iværksætterselskab – IVS”), Limited Company (“Anpartsselskab - ApS”)

Finland

(More on registry)

  • Business license
  • Evidence of registration for tax purposes as a self-employed individual or company
France

Germany

(More on registry)

  • Steuernummer (tax # for non-employees)
  • Gewerbeanmeldung (registration for a business), such as sole proprietor (“Einzelunternehmen”) or limited liability company (“Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH)”)

Netherlands

(More on registry)

  • One-man business (“eenmanszaak”) (obtain here)
  • A company, such as private company with limited liability (“besloten vennootschap”) or general partnership w/ 2 or more two or more business partner (“vennootschap onder firma”)

Norway

(More on registry)

  • Enkeltpersonforetak (sole proprietorship)
  • Aksjeselskap (limited company)
  • Other business registration

Poland

(More on registry)

  • Registration with CEIDG as an individual entrepreneur
  • Registration with KRS as a company (i. sp. z o.o., ii. S.A., iii. sp. J)

Portugal

(More on registry)

  • Provide a specific tax number to prove registration as:
  • Self-employed for social security
  • An Empresário em Nome Individual
  • A company, such as Private Single Partner Limited Liability (“Sociedade Unipessoal por Quotas”) or Private Limited Liability Companies (“Sociedade por Quotas, LDA”)

Spain

(More on registry)

  • Must register with the public Social Security within a specific regime for independent contractors called “RETA” (more)
  • Registration as a company, such as Sociedad limitada or SL (limited company), Sociedad Civil (Partnership), Sociedad Limitada/SL, or Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada/SRL (LLC)

Sweden

(More on registry)

  • F-tax certificate (Företagare skattebevis or F-skatt) (obtain here)
  • Registration as a business entity, such as sole trader (enskild firma), trading partnership or limited partnership (handelsbolag/kommanditbolag), limited company (aktiebolag), economic association/cooperative (ekonomisk förening)

United Kingdom

(More on registry)

  • Status as a self-employed sole trader with a Unique Tax Registration (UTR)
  • Registration as a private limited company (Companies House) or other entity

United States

(More on registry).

  • Articles of Incorporation (for corporations), Articles of Organizations (for limited liability companies)
  • Partnership or Operating Agreements, or Corporate By-Laws
  • Registration of a trade name with a state or local government
  • Confirmation of Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service (Form CP 575 letters)
  • The following tax filings (redacted at your discretion to remove sensitive information): Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business, Form 1065 (Schedule K-1) 1120-S or 1120,or other tax filing to the Internal Revenue Service
Argentina
  • Proof of registration as a Montrotriuto
  • CUIT Number
Brazil
  • Proof of registration as Profissional Autônomos (self-employed workers); Microempreendedor Individual (MEI); Empresa Individual de Responsabilidade
  • Limitada; Registration number issued by CNPJ
Hong Kong
  • Proof of registration as a SEP with the Inland Revenue Department’s Business Registration Office
  • Certificate of incorporation issued by the Companies Registry
South Korea
  • Business ID Number

 

Note:
If your country isn’t listed and you are asked to prove you are a business, your local legal, tax, or accounting professional can help you identify the necessary documentation.

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