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Accounting and invoicing for creators

Brands pay with money, with products or with both. Platforms pay commissions, brands book videos with usage rights, and the gear wants to be written off. Saldiqo writes your invoices, shows what is paid and lets you record what you received in return.

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What comes up for creators

Many clients, small amounts

A video for one brand, a package for the next, commissions from platforms in between. Every job needs its invoice and every payment has to be matched to a job.

Money and products

Brands send products, sometimes instead of money, sometimes on top. The package is part of the payment, and you should record what it was worth.

Usage rights and packages

One video, three variants, raw footage, use as an ad for six months: brands buy more than footage, and the invoice should show it.

Gear and expenses

Camera, lights, microphone, computer, software and travel are business costs that add up over the year.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Invoice with scopeYou create videos, variants, usage rights and raw footage as lines. The brand sees what it pays for.
  • Deposit before productionFrom the quote you create the deposit invoice. The final invoice deducts it.
  • Record payment in kindIf you got a product instead of money, you write the invoice as usual, state product and value in the description and mark it paid with the payment method other.
  • Match paymentsUpload the bank statement or platform payout, and Saldiqo suggests the matching invoice.
  • Receipts from the shootPhotograph the receipt with your phone and capture it as an expense, including props and travel.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Video, 30 seconds, vertical, concept and production
  • Two extra variants with a different hook
  • Usage rights for paid ads, six months
  • Raw footage and project files
  • Payment in kind: product package worth 180
  • Deposit 50 % before production starts

Tax and invoicing in Germany

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

VAT
Standard rate 19 %, reduced rate 7 %. Which rate applies to which supply depends on the case. Saldiqo calculates each invoice line with the rate you pick.
Small business scheme
Under section 19 of the VAT Act (UStG) you charge no VAT as long as your turnover was at most €25,000 last year and is at most €100,000 this year. Saldiqo shows how much room is left and adds the note to your invoice.
Mandatory details
Under section 14 UStG every invoice shows a tax number or VAT ID, a consecutive invoice number, the date of supply and the recipient. Saldiqo checks this before you finalise an invoice. Small invoices up to €250 gross need fewer details.
E-invoicing
All businesses have had to be able to receive e-invoices since 1 January 2025. Issuing becomes mandatory from 2027 if last year’s turnover was above €800,000, and from 2028 for domestic business-to-business sales in all cases. Small businesses under section 19 are exempt. Saldiqo creates XRechnung and ZUGFeRD.
VAT return
The advance VAT return goes to the tax office through ELSTER, by the 10th after the end of the period. You file monthly if last year’s VAT was above €9,000 and quarterly above €2,000. Saldiqo provides the figures; you file in ELSTER or through your tax adviser.
Record keeping
Keep invoices and accounting vouchers for 8 years, books for 10 years and business letters for 6 years. The period starts at the end of the calendar year.
Late payment
In the second half of 2026 the default interest rate is 10.52 % between businesses and 6.52 % towards consumers, plus a €40 flat fee that applies to businesses only. Saldiqo has reminder levels with deadlines and fees.
Getting paid
Every invoice carries a GiroCode (EPC QR) that customers scan with their banking app. You match payments by uploading the bank statement as CSV or CAMT.
Tax adviser
Cash-basis profit calculation (EÜR), a DATEV export and a separate login for your tax adviser are built in.

For creators in Germany

In Germany an exchange of a service for a product is a barter-like supply, and the value of the product counts as consideration. As a small business you charge no VAT up to the limit, and afterwards you do. You enter computer, camera and microphone in the asset register if they cost over €800 net.

Frequently asked questions

How do I treat free products?

Products you receive from brands in return for content usually count as income at their value for tax. How you treat them in your case, you clear with your tax adviser. In Saldiqo you record product and value in the invoice.

Can I invoice brands abroad?

Yes. For businesses in other EU countries you choose the tax type reverse charge. For brands outside the EU you clear with your tax adviser which rule applies.

Do I need a business registration as a creator?

That depends on your country and your activity. Saldiqo writes invoices and calculates, but does not replace advice on registration.

Do creators in Germany have to charge VAT?

Yes, unless they qualify as small businesses under section 19 UStG. That applies when turnover was at most €25,000 last year and is at most €100,000 this year. The limit is hard: VAT is due on the sale that takes you over it.

Do creators in Germany need e-invoicing?

Every business must be able to receive e-invoices since 2025. Issuing is mandatory from 2027 if last year’s turnover was above €800,000, and from 2028 for domestic business-to-business sales in general. Small businesses, invoices up to €250 and tickets are exempt. Private customers still get a normal invoice.

How long do creators have to keep invoices?

Invoices and vouchers for 8 years, books for 10 years and business letters for 6 years, counted from the end of the calendar year. You can store receipts digitally in Saldiqo. The legal duty to keep records and to document your procedures stays with you.

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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.