Accounting and invoicing for SEO agencies
Audits, content, link building, technology and monthly care: an SEO agency earns from consulting, retainers and projects, and success shows late. Saldiqo writes the invoices for audit and monthly packages, re-invoices tools and copy and shows per client how much time the care costs.
What comes up for SEO agencies
Project and retainer
An audit is a project with a clear scope, the care afterwards a retainer. Both need their own invoices.
Tools and content
Licences for analysis tools, copy from freelancers and link costs run along, some belong to the client.
Success takes time
SEO works after months. Whoever bills on time and traceably during that time avoids arguments about the effect.
How Saldiqo helps
- Audit with a depositQuote for the audit, deposit at the start, final invoice at handover.
- Retainer as a recurring invoiceSaldiqo creates the monthly care on a fixed date.
- Time tracking per clientRecord effort per client and evaluate whether the care pays for itself.
- Re-invoicingYou record content and tools as expenses and re-invoice them.
Typical invoice lines
Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.
- Technical SEO audit, report and action plan
- Monthly care November, 15 hours
- Content creation, 4 articles
- Tool licence re-invoiced as per receipt
- Keyword research and topic plan
- Workshop for the client team, half a day
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
Can I bill audit and care separately?
Yes. The audit runs as a project with a quote and deposit, the care as a recurring invoice.
How do I bill hours?
You record time per client and take it into the invoice as a line.
Do SEO agencies 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 SEO agencies 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 SEO agencies 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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As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.