Accounting and invoicing for solo entertainers and magicians
Children’s parties, company parties, town fairs and birthdays: solo entertainers, magicians and children’s animators perform alone and bill fee and travel per date. Saldiqo writes invoices right after the performance, issues deposits and shows how much turnover is left before the exemption limit.
What comes up for solo entertainers and magicians
Many small gigs
One date brings a few hundred euros. The invoice should be ready after the performance.
Material and props
Costumes, props, balloons and equipment are running expenses.
Close to the small business limit
Many performers sit close to the exemption limit.
How Saldiqo helps
- Invoice from the phonePerformance and travel as lines.
- Deposit on bookingQuote, deposit, final invoice.
- Record materialReceipts by phone photo.
- Turnover limit in viewSaldiqo shows how much turnover is still free.
Typical invoice lines
Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.
- Magic show children’s party, 45 minutes
- Solo entertainment birthday, 4 hours
- Children’s animation, hours
- Travel, flat fee
- Material as per receipt
- Deposit 30 % on booking
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 write the invoice right after the performance?
Yes. Saldiqo runs in the browser on your phone.
How do I secure dates?
With a deposit on booking.
Do solo entertainers and magicians 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 solo entertainers and magicians 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 solo entertainers and magicians 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.