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Accounting and invoicing for web developers

Projects at a fixed price, hourly rate for changes, maintenance contracts and hosting: a freelance web developer mixes three billing types. Saldiqo issues milestone stage invoices, records hours for extras and creates maintenance invoices on schedule.

Updated:

What comes up for web developers

Fixed price and extras

The project has a fixed price, change requests come later and are billed by the hour. Both have to appear separately.

Maintenance and hosting

After launch updates, backups and hosting run as a monthly or yearly fee.

Clients in several countries

Agencies and startups abroad are common. The tax type depends on the client’s country.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Milestone stage invoicesConcept, build, launch as stage invoices from the quote.
  • Extras by the hourTime tracking, and the invoice line comes from it.
  • Maintenance as a recurring invoiceMonthly or yearly on a fixed date.
  • Reverse charge for EU clientsTax type reverse charge, note on the invoice.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Website development, fixed price, milestone 1 of 3
  • Change requests outside the quote, hours
  • Maintenance and updates, November
  • Hosting, year 2027
  • Domain re-invoiced as per receipt
  • Performance optimisation, flat fee

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 separate fixed price and extras?

The fixed price appears as stage invoices in the quote, extras you record as time and bill separately.

How do I bill clients in other EU countries?

You choose the tax type reverse charge. Which rule applies to the client, you clear with your tax adviser.

Do web developers 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 web developers 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 web developers 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.