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Accounting and invoicing for SEO agencies

Audits, content, link building, technology and monthly care: an SEO agency earns from consulting, retainers and projects, and success shows late. Saldiqo writes the invoices for audit and monthly packages, re-invoices tools and copy and shows per client how much time the care costs.

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What comes up for SEO agencies

Project and retainer

An audit is a project with a clear scope, the care afterwards a retainer. Both need their own invoices.

Tools and content

Licences for analysis tools, copy from freelancers and link costs run along, some belong to the client.

Success takes time

SEO works after months. Whoever bills on time and traceably during that time avoids arguments about the effect.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Audit with a depositQuote for the audit, deposit at the start, final invoice at handover.
  • Retainer as a recurring invoiceSaldiqo creates the monthly care on a fixed date.
  • Time tracking per clientRecord effort per client and evaluate whether the care pays for itself.
  • Re-invoicingYou record content and tools as expenses and re-invoice them.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Technical SEO audit, report and action plan
  • Monthly care November, 15 hours
  • Content creation, 4 articles
  • Tool licence re-invoiced as per receipt
  • Keyword research and topic plan
  • Workshop for the client team, half a day

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

Can I bill audit and care separately?

Yes. The audit runs as a project with a quote and deposit, the care as a recurring invoice.

How do I bill hours?

You record time per client and take it into the invoice as a line.

Do SEO agencies 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 SEO agencies 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 SEO agencies 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.