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Accounting and invoicing for small businesses

Little turnover, little time, no tax office in the house: whoever starts small or works for themselves on the side needs invoices that are right and an overview that does not overwhelm. Saldiqo puts the VAT exemption note on the invoice, shows how much turnover is left before the limit and collects your receipts in one place.

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What comes up for small businesses

The right note

Whoever does not show VAT has to make that clear on the invoice. If the note is missing or wrong, there is trouble with the tax office and questions from customers.

Keeping an eye on the limit

The exemption only applies up to a turnover limit. Whoever passes it has to account for VAT, often already on the turnover that passes it.

Little time, little knowledge

Next to a job there is hardly time for bookkeeping. You need few steps: write the invoice, match the payment, photograph the receipt.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Note on every invoiceYou choose the small business tax type, and Saldiqo puts the matching note for your country on the invoice.
  • Limit in viewSaldiqo shows how much turnover is left before the limit.
  • Receipts by phone photoPhotograph the receipt and capture it as an expense instead of collecting slips.
  • Tick off paymentsUpload the bank statement, and Saldiqo recognises paid invoices and suggests the matching one for the rest.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Service as agreed, hours
  • Flat fee for the job
  • Material as per receipt
  • Travel, flat fee
  • Gift voucher worth 30
  • 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.

For small businesses in Malta

In Malta small undertakings under Article 11 with up to €35,000 of turnover can be exempt. Saldiqo adds the exemption note.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know that I am a small business?

That depends on your country and your turnover. The limits are listed above. Saldiqo adds the note when you choose the small business tax type, but does not check whether the exemption applies to you.

What happens when I pass the limit?

Saldiqo shows you the current standing. Once you pass it, you choose the tax type with VAT on new invoices. When exactly that is, you clear with your tax adviser.

Do small businesses 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 small businesses 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 small businesses 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.