Descodify vs hiring help
What does a tax consultant actually do for the simplified regime?
Most solo entrepreneurs in Portugal pay someone €75–120 per month to handle their tax obligations. Some of that work is genuinely complex. Most of it isn't. Here's an honest breakdown of what's involved - so you can decide what makes sense for your situation.
Invoicing, coming soon
Get early access - free tier includes unlimited invoicing.
The work involved - and who can do it
Under the simplified regime, the obligations are well-defined. Here's what each one involves.
Certified invoicing
Monthly
Issue invoice-receipts for each payment. Correct VAT rate, exemption code, withholding tax where applicable. ~5 minutes per invoice.
You + Descodify. VAT rate, exemption codes, and AT communication are automatic.
Expense tracking
Ongoing
Categorize business expenses, track the 15% proof requirement, handle non-Portuguese expenses that don't appear in e-fatura.
You + Descodify. Forward receipts by email, auto-categorized, 15% proof tracked in real time.
Quarterly VAT
4× per year
Submit the Declaração Periódica de IVA on the AT portal. ~10 minutes if the numbers are ready.
Descodify calculates. You review and submit with our guided walkthrough.
Social Security
Monthly
Quarterly declaration to Segurança Social. Monthly contribution based on previous quarter's average income. ~5 minutes.
Descodify calculates. You see the number before the bill arrives.
Annual IRS filing
Apr–Jun
Submit Modelo 3 with the right annexes. For simple cases (Anexo B only), this is straightforward. Foreign income (Anexo J) or other situations add complexity.
Descodify generates your declaration. Upload the XML to the portal, or follow the guided walkthrough. Free during early access - €49 published rate, included with Completo.
e-Fatura & household
Feb–Mar
Confirm your agregado familiar by Feb 15, review e-fatura expenses by Feb 25, confirm pre-filled deductions by Mar 31.
You or your consultant. Descodify reminds you of each deadline so nothing slips.
When you still need professional help
Descodify handles the simplified regime. Some situations need a contabilista certificado (certified accountant) or specialist advice.
Complex tax situations
NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) status, income from multiple countries with double taxation treaties, capital gains, rental income, or cryptocurrency. These need someone who knows the edge cases.
Crossing the €200k threshold
If your revenue exceeds €200,000 you move to the normal regime, which requires organized accounting and a certified accountant by law. Descodify warns you when you're approaching the limit.
Company formation
Setting up a Unipessoal Lda or other company structure. This involves IRC (corporate tax), different accounting obligations, and legal setup that goes beyond solo entrepreneur obligations.
Tax planning & optimization
Strategic decisions about regime choice, timing of expenses, or structuring your business for tax efficiency. A good accountant pays for themselves here.
Descodify works alongside your consultant too
Many users keep their accountant or consultant for annual review and advisory, while handling routine obligations themselves. You get visibility into what's being filed. Your consultant gets structured data instead of shoeboxes of receipts. Both of you save time.
The numbers
€900–1,400
per year
Typical cost of a consultant handling simplified regime obligations in the Algarve and Lisbon expat communities.
€180
per year (annual plan)
Descodify Completo - guided submissions, expense tracking, deadline reminders, IRS filing included.
Free
forever
Descodify Starter - certified invoicing, obligation calendar, income dashboard, and IRS preparation.
Try it yourself
Start with free invoicing. See the obligation calendar. Decide for yourself what you need help with - and what you can handle in a few minutes a month.
Invoicing, coming soon
Get early access - free tier includes unlimited invoicing.