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Accounting and invoicing for translators

Technical translation, certified translation, interpreting and proofreading: translators bill by line, word or hour and work for agencies and direct clients in several countries. Saldiqo writes invoices by scope, picks the matching tax type for clients abroad and reminds on long payment terms.

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What comes up for translators

Price by scope

Words, standard lines, pages or hours: the invoice states the basis of the price.

Agencies with long terms

Translation agencies often pay after 30 to 60 days. Whoever does not follow up waits long.

Clients abroad

Agencies and direct clients sit in many countries. The tax type has to be right.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Invoice by wordsWord price as an item with quantity.
  • Agencies as contactsStore the payment term, send reminders.
  • Reverse chargeFor businesses in the EU.
  • Interpreting by timeAssignments with travel as lines.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Technical translation English to German, 3,200 words
  • Certified translation, page
  • Proofreading of the translation, hours
  • Interpreting, half a day
  • Rush surcharge for delivery in 24 hours
  • Travel as per receipt

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 by word?

You create the word price as an item and enter the word count as the quantity.

How do I treat agencies in the EU?

With the tax type reverse charge. The rule for the agency you clear with your tax adviser.

Do translators 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 translators 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 translators 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.