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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 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

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