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Accounting and invoicing for tattoo studios

Appointment deposit, sessions, guest artists, piercings and aftercare products: a tattoo studio takes money upfront and bills sessions. Saldiqo issues deposits for appointments, writes invoices for guest artists and studio rent and records inks, needles and hygiene supplies as expenses.

Updated:

What comes up for tattoo studios

Deposit for the appointment

Whoever books a tattoo pays in advance. The deposit has to belong to the appointment and be treated clearly on cancellation.

Guest artists and renters

Artists rent stations or share income. Both need billing.

Material and hygiene

Needles, inks, gloves, films and disinfectant are consumables with many small invoices.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Deposit as a stage invoiceQuote for the project, deposit, final invoice.
  • Rent as a recurring invoiceGuest artist rent on schedule.
  • Capture materialCapture receipts by phone photo.
  • Credit note on cancellationA correction stays linked to the deposit.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Tattoo session, 4 hours, upper arm
  • Deposit for the appointment on 12 December
  • Guest artist station, week
  • Aftercare set
  • Piercing including jewellery
  • Gift voucher worth 100

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 deposits?

With a deposit invoice from the quote. The final invoice deducts it.

How do I treat a cancellation?

With a credit note to the deposit if you pay it back, otherwise as a no-show fee.

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