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Accounting and invoicing for food trucks

Festival at the weekend, company party on Thursday, market on Saturday: a food truck sells at the hatch and bills larger jobs by invoice. Saldiqo writes invoices to organisers and companies, records pitch fees and purchases as expenses and shows which job pays off.

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What comes up for food trucks

Hatch sales and invoices

At the hatch guests pay cash or by card. Company parties and weddings are billed by invoice.

Pitch fees and purchases

Every job costs pitch fee, goods and travel. Only with allocation do you know what is left.

Season and weather

Jobs depend on weather and dates. An overview of open items secures liquidity.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Flat fee for company eventsQuote with menu price and headcount, deposit, final invoice.
  • Record pitch feesReceipts as expenses with the job’s cost centre.
  • Result per jobThe report per cost centre shows income, pitch fee and goods.

Typical invoice lines

Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.

  • Catering company party, 60 people, menu price
  • Pitch fee re-invoiced as per receipt
  • Travel and set-up
  • Drinks package per person
  • Deposit 30 % on booking
  • Minimum sales guarantee from the organiser

Tax and invoicing in Malta

What applies to invoices in Malta, in short. As of October 2026.

VAT
Rates 18 %, 12 %, 7 % and 5 %. Malta has no zero rate in law. Exports, EU supplies, food and medicines are exempt with credit, which lets you reclaim input VAT. Exempt without credit does not.
Article 11 small undertakings
With up to €35,000 of domestic turnover a year you can be exempt under Article 11. The status ends on the day the limit is passed, and you still register with the VAT department. Saldiqo adds the exemption note and leaves VAT off.
Tax invoice or fiscal receipt
A tax invoice is issued only when the customer gives you a VAT number. Otherwise a fiscal receipt from an approved system is required. Saldiqo writes invoices. It is not a fiscal receipt system, and a Saldiqo PDF does not replace a fiscal receipt.
Invoice timing
Issue the invoice by the 15th of the following month, or when payment arrives if that comes first. Simplified invoices are allowed up to €100.
E-invoicing
There is no mandate. Public bodies accept e-invoices through Peppol (EN 16931). The tax authority plans e-invoicing and real-time reporting but has set no dates, and EU rules apply from 1 July 2030.
VAT returns
Returns are due by the 15th day of the second month after the period, with 7 extra days when you file and pay electronically. Article 11 businesses file a yearly declaration by 15 February. Saldiqo does not file returns.
Record keeping
VAT records for 6 years, income tax records for 9 years and company records for 10 years. Plan for 10 years.
Late payment
Interest on late business payments is 10.40 %, plus €40 compensation between businesses.
Languages
Use Saldiqo in English or Maltese and send invoices in either language.

Frequently asked questions

Does Saldiqo replace my till at the hatch?

No. Saldiqo is not a till system. Sales at the hatch belong in a till that meets the rules of your country.

How do I bill jobs for companies?

With a quote, a deposit and a final invoice.

Do food trucks in Malta have to charge VAT?

If you are registered under Article 10, yes. Small undertakings under Article 11 with domestic turnover of up to €35,000 a year are exempt from charging VAT, but the status ends on the day the limit is passed.

Do food trucks in Malta need a fiscal receipt?

Sales to consumers need a fiscal receipt from an approved fiscal receipt system, and Article 11 businesses use one for all sales. Saldiqo is not such a system. It covers tax invoices to customers who give you their VAT number.

How long should food trucks keep invoices?

VAT records for 6 years, income tax records for 9 years and company records for 10 years, so plan for 10 years. You can store receipts digitally in Saldiqo. The legal duty to keep records stays with you.

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Write invoices, match payments, collect receipts and send reminders: free and without a trial period.

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As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.