Accounting and invoicing for small businesses
Little turnover, little time, no tax office in the house: whoever starts small or works for themselves on the side needs invoices that are right and an overview that does not overwhelm. Saldiqo puts the VAT exemption note on the invoice, shows how much turnover is left before the limit and collects your receipts in one place.
What comes up for small businesses
The right note
Whoever does not show VAT has to make that clear on the invoice. If the note is missing or wrong, there is trouble with the tax office and questions from customers.
Keeping an eye on the limit
The exemption only applies up to a turnover limit. Whoever passes it has to account for VAT, often already on the turnover that passes it.
Little time, little knowledge
Next to a job there is hardly time for bookkeeping. You need few steps: write the invoice, match the payment, photograph the receipt.
How Saldiqo helps
- Note on every invoiceYou choose the small business tax type, and Saldiqo puts the matching note for your country on the invoice.
- Limit in viewSaldiqo shows how much turnover is left before the limit.
- Receipts by phone photoPhotograph the receipt and capture it as an expense instead of collecting slips.
- Tick off paymentsUpload the bank statement, and Saldiqo recognises paid invoices and suggests the matching one for the rest.
Typical invoice lines
Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.
- Service as agreed, hours
- Flat fee for the job
- Material as per receipt
- Travel, flat fee
- Gift voucher worth 30
- 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.
For small businesses in Ireland
In Ireland you register for VAT above €42,500 for services and €85,000 for goods. Below that Saldiqo leaves VAT off your invoices.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know that I am a small business?
That depends on your country and your turnover. The limits are listed above. Saldiqo adds the note when you choose the small business tax type, but does not check whether the exemption applies to you.
What happens when I pass the limit?
Saldiqo shows you the current standing. Once you pass it, you choose the tax type with VAT on new invoices. When exactly that is, you clear with your tax adviser.
Do small businesses 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 small businesses 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 small businesses 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.
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As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.