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Accounting and invoicing for retirees with a side activity

Consulting for former colleagues, crafts as a hobby, selling at the market: whoever earns on top in retirement wants little effort and still clean invoices. Saldiqo sets the tax note, shows the turnover limit and keeps the receipts in one place.

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What comes up for retirees with a side activity

Little effort

Whoever works in retirement does not want big bookkeeping. A few invoices a month have to be quick.

Extra income and limits

Depending on the country, limits apply to extra income. Income has to be traceable.

Plain language

Jargon gets in the way. A tool that shows in simple words what to do helps.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Invoice in a few clicksPick the customer, pick the service, send.
  • Tax noteChoose the matching small business tax type.
  • Income at a glanceA yearly overview without jargon.
  • Photograph receiptsCapture receipts with your phone.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Consulting for a former employer, hours
  • Repair work by effort
  • Sale of woodwork, as per list
  • Material as per receipt
  • Travel costs, flat fee
  • Credit note: discount granted afterwards

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

May I earn on top in retirement?

That depends on your country and your pension. Which limits apply to you, you clear with the pension insurer and your tax adviser.

Is Saldiqo made for beginners?

Yes. The flow is short, and Saldiqo checks the mandatory details before you finalise an invoice.

Do retirees with a side activity 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 retirees with a side activity 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 retirees with a side activity 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.

Try Saldiqo for free

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.