USE CASE: IT PROFESSIONALS

Company management & tax compliance for IT professionals

Helping IT professionals focus on what matters most: Innovation

The IT sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. But with growth comes complexity: company formation, cross-border tax compliance, payroll, and reporting can quickly drain your time and energy.

1Office Group helps IT professionals manage their business and ensure compliance, by taking the burden of administrative tasks, regulatory requirements, and operational complexities off their shoulders.

Examples of business journeys for IT professionals in Estonia

Learn how you can leverage our services to maximise your IT business here in Estonia

Freelance developer contracting for foreign companies

  • Sets up an Estonian OÜ (private limited company) to invoice international clients professionally.

  • Gains access to EU-based banking and payment providers.

  • Optimizes taxes by choosing the right mix of salary and dividends.

  • Keeps bookkeeping simple while staying compliant with Estonian rules.

How 1Office helps:

We handle company registration, virtual office setup, and monthly accounting so freelancers can focus on coding instead of admin.

Small IT consultancy team

  • Moves from solo freelancing to employing 2–5 specialists.
  • Needs payroll management, including salary, social tax, and unemployment contributions.
  • Registers for VAT once annual revenue passes €40,000.
  • Can deduct business expenses (training, software, team health benefits up to €400/employee).

How 1Office helps:

Our payroll service ensures compliance with salary, social tax, and pension contributions, while our accountants handle VAT registration and reporting.

SaaS startup founded by IT professionals

  • Transitions from consulting projects to launching a subscription-based product.

  • Registers for the EU VAT OSS (One Stop Shop) scheme to handle digital services across borders.

  • Needs scalable bookkeeping to track recurring revenue.

  • Reinvests profits tax-free into product development until dividends are distributed.

How 1Office helps:

We provide structured accounting, OSS VAT reporting, and strategic advice to keep SaaS growth compliant and efficient.

Why IT consultants choose 1Office:

Hassle-Free Company Management

From incorporation to ongoing administration, we handle the paperwork, registrations, and legal requirements. Whether you’re working locally or across borders, we ensure your company structure supports your business model.

Tax Compliance Made Simple

Tax laws for IT professionals often involve multiple jurisdictions. Our experts make sure your business meets all obligations: VAT, income tax, corporate tax, and digital service tax.

Payroll & Contractor Solutions

Managing payroll for yourself or your team shouldn’t be complicated. We offer digital-first payroll solutions, ensuring accurate salary payments, tax withholdings, and compliance with employment law.

Key services for IT professionals

  • Company Formation & Virtual Office
    Register your company in the EU or UK with a legal business address, local support, and administration.
  • Accounting & Bookkeeping
    Digital-first accounting designed for IT businesses. Transparent, real-time reporting keeps you in control.
  • Tax Compliance & Advisory
    VAT registration, corporate tax, cross-border regulations — we ensure your business is always compliant.
  • Payroll & HR Support
    Smooth payroll services for freelancers, contractors, and growing IT teams.
  • Business Growth Support
    From scaling into new markets to compliance with digital service regulations, we guide your growth.
it sector

OUR PARTNERS

Collaborating with industry experts to deliver exceptional service to your business in Estonia

Become a global entrepreneur from Estonia

EU Market Access

Operate across the EU single market without opening multiple entities

Global e-Residency

Join over 100,000 digital entrepreneurs managing Estonian companies online

Digital-First Infrastructure

Incorporation, signatures, accounting, and tax filing – 100% online

Startup Ecosystem

Home of unicorns like Skype, Wise, and Bolt. Estonia is trusted by global clients.

Get in touch with our business advisor

Igor Korzun

Business Solutions Advisor

“Working with clients is an absolute pleasure for me as it allows us to build meaningful relationships based on trust, collaboration, and mutual growth. I take great joy in understanding every clients needs and providing tailored solutions. Witnessing their success and satisfaction is truly gratifying and fuels my passion for delivering exceptional service.”

 

Tel: +372 5071921

E-mail: estonia@1office.co

OUR EXPERTISE

Help for IT consultants who’d rather ship code than paperwork
Do I need to register for VAT if I only work with foreign clients?

Not always. If all your services are supplied to EU business clients (B2B) and reverse charge applies, you may not need Estonian VAT registration immediately. However, you must register if your Estonia-taxable turnover exceeds €40,000/year, or if you sell digital services to EU consumers (B2C), in that case OSS registration is required.

What are the key tax rules in Estonia?
  • Corporate Income Tax (CIT):

    • Estonia has a unique system: companies do not pay corporate income tax on retained earnings.

    • Current standard rate: 22%, applied as 22/78 on net distributions.

    • This is ideal for IT consultants reinvesting profits into business growth.

  • Value Added Tax (VAT):

    • Mandatory VAT registration if your annual turnover exceeds €40,000.

    • Standard VAT rate: 24%

    • Digital services sold within the EU may require VAT OSS (One Stop Shop)registration.

  • Personal Income Tax (if drawing salary):

    • Flat rate of 22%.

    • Social tax contributions (33%) are required on salaries, covering health insurance and pensions.

  • Payroll & Employment Taxes:

    • Mandatory if you hire employees or pay yourself a regular salary.

    • Includes unemployment insurance contributions and funded pension payments.

  • Cross-Border Considerations:

    • IT consultants working with clients abroad may face double taxation risks if not structured properly.

    • Estonia has tax treaties with many countries to avoid double taxation.

Can I pay myself only dividends in Estonia?

It’s possible to take profit out as dividends, which are taxed at 22/78. But if you are actively working for your company, the Tax Board may expect you to pay yourself a reasonable salary subject to personal income tax (22%), social tax (33%), and unemployment contributions. The right balance of salary vs. dividends helps optimize tax and stay compliant.

When do I have to file taxes in Estonia?
  • VAT returns: monthly, by the 20th of the following month.

  • Payroll/social tax returns (TSD): monthly, also by the 10th of the following month.

  • Annual report: once a year, within 6 months of financial year-end.

Can I avoid double taxation if I live outside Estonia?

Yes, Estonia has double taxation treaties with many countries. These treaties determine which country has taxing rights over different types of income. With proper structuring, most IT consultants can avoid paying tax twice on the same income.

Do I need an Estonian company to work as an IT consultant?

Not necessarily. You can operate as a sole trader in some cases, but most international IT consultants prefer to form a private limited company (OÜ) through Estonia’s e-Residency program. An OÜ provides limited liability, better client trust, and easier access to EU business services.

Do I need a local address in Estonia?

Yes. Every Estonian company must have a registered legal address in Estonia. 1Office provides virtual office services so you can meet this requirement without a physical office.

What happens if I exceed the €40,000 VAT threshold mid-year?

You must register for VAT immediately once you cross the threshold, starting from the date you exceeded it. From that point, you must add VAT to eligible invoices and submit monthly VAT returns.

The challenges IT consultants face

Running a consultancy in the IT sector isn’t just about delivering great projects, it’s also about navigating complex business admin. Common pain points include:

  • Cross-border invoicing confusion: Knowing when to apply VAT, when to use reverse charge, and how to register for OSS across the EU.

  • Balancing salary vs. dividends: Understanding the impact of Estonia’s distribution-based corporate tax system and choosing the right mix for take-home pay.

  • Scaling from freelancer to small team: Payroll, social tax, and funded pension contributions quickly become difficult to manage without expert support.

  • Avoiding double taxation: Consultants working with international clients need to structure their business correctly to leverage Estonia’s tax treaties.

These challenges are exactly where 1Office provides clarity and ongoing support.

Get in touch

Email, call or complete the form to request more information about 1Office Estonia services and how we can help you expand your business to Estonia or maintain a high level of quality in accounting and compliance for your business in Estonia.

Email us

We are happy to respond to your requests

estonia@1office.co

Call us

Happy to take your call during office hours

+372 631 1118

Visit us

Narva mnt 5, 10117, Tallinn, Estonia

Mon-Fri 9.00-17.00, local time

A team on location with international experience

Our team’s international background and on-site presence offer valuable location-specific insights and perspectives.

Customised services based on your specific needs

Our approach to your business is personalised and focused to deliver the best experience.






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