Start for free
Language: EN

Accounting and invoicing for students with their own business

Web design next to studies, tutoring, photography, social media for clients: many students work for themselves and write the first invoice of their life. Saldiqo guides you through the mandatory details, sets the tax note and shows how much you have earned.

Updated:

What comes up for students with their own business

The first invoice

Mandatory details, number, date, tax note: whoever does this for the first time does not want to get it wrong.

Income and limits

Students with side income have to watch limits for income and insurance.

A small budget

Software and advisers are a cost for students. A tool should cost nothing before money is earned.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Check mandatory detailsSaldiqo checks before finalising that the necessary details are there.
  • Tax noteChoose the small business tax type, and the note appears on the invoice.
  • Income at a glanceAn overview for the year, also for the tax return.
  • Receipts by phone photoRecord outlays without collecting slips.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Website for a club, fixed price
  • Maths tutoring, 4 hours
  • Photo shoot, 2 hours
  • Social media posts, 10 pieces
  • Material as per receipt
  • Travel costs, 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

What goes on my first invoice?

Name and address of you and the client, date, service, amount and the note on tax. Saldiqo checks the mandatory details for your country.

Is Saldiqo suitable for students?

Yes. Saldiqo is currently free, with all features. If that changes, you will hear at least six weeks ahead.

Do students with their own business 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 students with their own business 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 students with their own business 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.

Start for free

This page for other countries

Related niches

More industries

All industries

As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.