Hi
I am a freelance writer, editor and journalist. I'm a dual US/Swiss citizen but haven't lived in CH for years hence these questions! All my friends/family in CH work as salaried employees and don't know the answer.

Status:
I am fairly sure that for my type of work it is unnecessary to become a GMBH. I simply declare myself self-employed and register as such with the AHV and pay the relevant amount into the AHV?

VAT?
Some of my book/writing contracts are flat fees or a fee plus royalties (I don't send an invoice, I get paid when my manuscript is approved or in the case of royalties, I get checks twice a year as long as the book is profitable).
But for other jobs, like journalism work for magazines or editing work, I get a contract but when I finish the job I do need to send my employer an invoice to get paid. My employers are all based outside Switzerland (at the moment they are in the UK, USA and Australia).
For jobs that require invoices, do I need to place a VAT fee/number on the invoice? I find this idea bizarre, because companies in the US would certainly not pay me VAT!

Are there any other people working as freelance journalists / writers / editors and have any advice I'd be most grateful!?

Hi,

I'm a freelance writer/journalist (Finland/EU-citizen) and hoping to move here permanently to be with my Swiss boyfriend and work here on a self-employed basis. There are a bunch of threads around this forum, for example this thread
How to freelance in Switzerland?
deals with the issue. I mostly work for newspapers etc. outside Switzerland so am in a similar position and trying to figure out the best way to go about it at the moment. I'm also an authorized ashtanga yoga teacher and would like to teach here in Bern; but that might require a whole different work permit. This is another excellent thread
Help for Businesses/Freelancers in CH
Hope this helps and good luck!