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Accounting and invoicing for the part-time self-employed

A main job as an employee, a business of your own on the side: whoever works part-time for themselves has little time and still all the duties of self-employment. Saldiqo writes invoices in a few steps, records receipts by phone photo and shows how close you are to the turnover limit.

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What comes up for part-time self-employed people

Evenings and weekends

A few hours a month are left for bookkeeping. Whatever is not quick stays undone.

Keeping employer and clients apart

The side business runs separately from the main job, also in the records and on the account.

Tax return at year-end

Income and expenses of the side business belong in the tax return. Whoever collects them during the year has little to do at the end.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Invoice in a few stepsPick a contact, pick a service, send.
  • Receipts by phone photoPhotograph the receipt, expense done.
  • Overview of income and expensesOne report for the year that you can show your tax adviser or use yourself.
  • Limit in viewSaldiqo shows how much turnover is left before the exemption limit.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Service as agreed, 3 hours
  • Flat fee for a small project
  • Material as per receipt
  • Travel, flat fee
  • Weekend surcharge
  • Credit note: discount granted afterwards

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

Do I need separate books for a side business?

Income and expenses of the side business are recorded separately from your main job. Which form applies to you, you clear with your tax adviser.

Can I use Saldiqo on my phone next to my job?

Yes. Saldiqo runs in the browser and can be used on a phone.

Do part-time self-employed people 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 part-time self-employed people 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 part-time self-employed people 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.

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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.