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Accounting and invoicing for design and writing

Logo, website, catalogue copy, translation: creatives sell results, rounds of changes and usage rights. Saldiqo issues quotes with a clear scope, bills stages and shows which clients pay on time.

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What comes up for design, writing and translation businesses

Scope and revision rounds

Two drafts, two rounds of changes, then an extra charge: a clear scope on quote and invoice prevents disputes.

Usage rights and packages

Logo for print and web, copy with exclusive rights, translation with proofreading: rights and packages belong visibly in the invoice.

Clients in several countries

Many creatives work for clients abroad. The invoice needs the matching tax type and note.

Irregular income

Two big jobs in a quarter, then a lull. Whoever keeps an overview of open invoices plans more calmly.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Quote with a clear scopeDrafts, revision rounds and rights as separate lines. Everything beyond that you bill by effort.
  • Deposit and final invoiceThe quote becomes the deposit invoice, and the final invoice deducts it.
  • Tax type for abroadFor businesses in other EU countries you choose reverse charge, and Saldiqo adds the note.
  • Open items in viewUpload the bank statement, and Saldiqo recognises paid invoices and shows who is still open.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Logo design, three variants
  • Two rounds of changes, included
  • Further round of changes by effort, hours
  • Usage rights, unlimited in time, print and web
  • Copy, 1,200 words
  • Proofreading and editing

Tax and invoicing in the UK

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

VAT
Standard rate 20 %, reduced rate 5 % and zero rate 0 %. Saldiqo calculates each invoice line with the rate you pick.
VAT registration
You must register once your taxable turnover passes £90,000 over any 12 months, or you expect to pass it within the next 30 days. You can deregister below £88,000. Until you are registered, your invoices show no VAT, and Saldiqo adds up your 12-month turnover for you.
What goes on an invoice
If you are VAT registered: your VAT number, the tax point, unit prices and the VAT total in pounds. A limited company shows its registered name on every invoice, and its company number, registered office and part of the UK on letters, order forms and the website.
E-invoicing
There is no mandate today. From April 2029 e-invoicing is planned for all B2B and B2G sales that carry VAT, through Peppol. The exact date and standard are not yet in law, and the government’s roadmap follows with the Budget on 28 October 2026.
VAT returns
VAT returns go to HMRC through Making Tax Digital, usually quarterly, due one month and seven days after the period. Saldiqo shows sales and VAT per rate and exports CSV. It does not submit to HMRC, and for Making Tax Digital you need software recognised by HMRC.
Record keeping
Keep VAT records for 6 years.
Late payment
Statutory interest on late business payments is the Bank Rate (3.75 % in the second half of 2026) plus 8 points, so 11.75 %. On top comes fixed compensation of £40, £70 or £100, depending on the amount owed (under £1,000, from £1,000, from £10,000). Consumers have no statutory interest.
Getting paid
Your sort code and account number are on every invoice. Customers pay by Faster Payments or Bacs, and banks check the account name with Confirmation of Payee. There is no QR standard in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

Can I show usage rights as a separate line?

Yes. You create them as an item and add them to the quote or invoice.

How do I bill clients in other EU countries?

You choose the tax type reverse charge. Which rule applies to the client, you clear with your tax adviser.

Do design, writing and translation businesses in the UK have to charge VAT?

Only once they are VAT registered. Registration is required when taxable turnover passes £90,000 over any 12 months, or is expected to within the next 30 days. Below that you may register voluntarily. If you are not registered, you must not show VAT on your invoices.

Do design, writing and translation businesses in the UK need e-invoicing?

Not today. A mandate for B2B and B2G sales with VAT is planned from April 2029, and the details were still open as of October 2026. You can keep sending PDF invoices for now.

How long should design, writing and translation businesses keep invoices?

Keep VAT records for 6 years. 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.