Accounting and invoicing for podcasters
Ad spots before and after the episode, host-read ads, production for others and live shows: a podcast earns from reach and voice. Saldiqo writes invoices for advertisers and commissioned productions and records studio, hosting and editing as expenses.
What comes up for podcasters
Advertising by reach
Prices depend on downloads or episodes. The invoice should state episodes, spot length and term clearly.
Production for others
Many podcasters produce shows for companies. Those are projects with a deposit and a final invoice.
Running costs
Hosting, editing software, studio rent and guest costs are regular small expenses.
How Saldiqo helps
- Ad slots as an invoiceSpots, host reads and term as lines, with a payment term.
- Commissioned production with a depositA quote for the project, a deposit at the start, a final invoice on delivery.
- Time tracking for editingEditing and post-production by effort you record in hours and create the invoice from them.
- Capture receiptsRecord hosting, studio and gear as expenses.
Typical invoice lines
Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.
- Host-read ad, 45 seconds, 4 episodes
- Pre-roll spot, 15 seconds, one month term
- Production of a company episode, turnkey
- Editing and mastering by effort, hours
- Studio rent re-invoiced as per receipt
- Live recording in front of an audience, flat fee
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 bill advertising by episodes?
Yes. You create spots, episodes and term as lines and adjust the quantity per job.
How do I bill commissioned productions?
With a quote, a deposit invoice and a final invoice. The final invoice deducts the deposits.
Do podcasters 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 podcasters 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 podcasters 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.