Start for free
Language: EN

Accounting and invoicing for AI consultants

Workshops, prototypes, process automation and rollout support: AI consultants offer projects with an unclear scope and ongoing care. Saldiqo issues stage invoices for prototypes, creates retainer invoices and records compute and API costs as expenses.

Updated:

What comes up for AI consultants

Unclear scope

AI projects start with an idea and become concrete in stages. Stage invoices fit this course.

Running costs

API usage, cloud and compute are variable costs that are often re-invoiced.

Workshops and training

Teams want to learn the basics. That is a separate offer with a headcount.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Stage invoices per project stepWorkshop, prototype, pilot as stage invoices.
  • Retainer as a recurring invoiceOngoing care monthly.
  • API and cloud costsReceipts as an expense, re-invoicing as a line.
  • Workshops by invoiceParticipants and duration as lines.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Workshop AI in business, full day
  • Prototype document assistant, flat fee
  • Pilot operation, November
  • API costs re-invoiced as per receipt
  • Prompt and process design, hours
  • Rollout support, retainer

Tax and invoicing in Ireland

What applies to invoices in Ireland, in short. As of October 2026.

VAT
Standard rate 23 %, reduced rates 13.5 % and 9 %, 4.8 % for livestock, and 0 %. Since 1 July 2026 a 9 % rate applies to restaurants, catering, hot takeaway food and hairdressing, excluding alcohol and soft drinks.
VAT registration
Registration is required above €42,500 a year for services and above €85,000 for goods, if at least 90 % of turnover comes from goods. Saldiqo leaves VAT off your invoices while you are below the threshold and shows how much room is left.
What goes on an invoice
Registered businesses show their VAT number. Sole traders and partnerships providing services show their tax reference number, or their full name and address, on invoices and receipts of €7 or more (section 885 TCA). Companies show their name, CRO number and registered office, and directors’ details on letters, order forms and the website.
Invoice timing
Issue a VAT invoice within 15 days after the end of the month in which the supply took place.
E-invoicing
From 1 November 2028 every business must be able to receive e-invoices. Issuing is phased in: first for suppliers to large corporates, from November 2029 for businesses trading B2B within the EU, and from 1 July 2030 under the EU VAT in the Digital Age rules. A PDF does not count as an e-invoice, and the technical specifications are not yet published.
VAT returns
VAT3 returns are filed every two months through ROS, by the 19th of the following month, or the 23rd when you file online through ROS. Saldiqo does not file returns, your accountant or ROS does.
Record keeping
Keep records for 6 years, longer while a review is open.
Late payment
Interest on late business payments is the ECB main refinancing rate (2.40 % in the second half of 2026) plus 8 points, so 10.40 %, plus fixed compensation of €40, €70 or €100 depending on the amount owed.
Getting paid
IBAN and BIC are on every invoice, plus a SEPA QR code (EPC) for banking apps that can read it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I bill projects with an unclear scope?

In stages with stage invoices: workshop, prototype, pilot. Each stage has its own quote.

How do I re-invoice API costs?

You record the receipt as an expense and re-invoice it as a line.

Do AI consultants in Ireland have to charge VAT?

Once they are registered, yes. Registration is required from the sale that takes turnover over €42,500 a year for services or €85,000 for goods, where at least 90 % of turnover comes from goods. Below those limits Saldiqo leaves VAT off your invoices.

Do AI consultants in Ireland need e-invoicing?

Not yet. From 1 November 2028 every business must be able to receive e-invoices. The duty to issue them phases in from the same date for suppliers to large corporates and later for more businesses. PDF invoices do not count as e-invoices.

How long should AI consultants keep invoices?

Keep records for 6 years, longer while a review is open. 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.

Start for free

This page for other countries

Related niches

More industries

All industries

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