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Accounting and invoicing for product photographers

Packshots, lifestyle shots, 360-degree views and catalogue photos: product photographers work with online shops, brands and agencies and bill per image or per day. Saldiqo writes invoices by image count, creates framework contracts as recurring invoices and records studio, lights and retouching.

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What comes up for product photographers

Per image or per day

Shops often book 50 products with three views each. The price per image has to be on the invoice.

Framework contracts

Brands book quotas regularly. The invoice repeats.

Studio and retouching

Studio, lights, backdrops and retouching time are big items.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Images as items with quantityPackshot, lifestyle, 360 degrees.
  • Framework contract as a recurring invoiceMonthly quota on schedule.
  • Retouching by effortRecord time, take it over as a line.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Packshot white background, 40 products
  • Lifestyle shot, 10 motifs
  • 360-degree view, product
  • Retouching by effort, hours
  • Studio day with assistant
  • Usage rights online shop and catalogue

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

How do I bill per image?

You create the image price as an item and enter the number.

Can I bill framework contracts automatically?

Yes. A recurring invoice creates the invoice on a fixed date.

Do product photographers 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 product photographers 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 product photographers 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.