Accounting and invoicing for ghostwriters and copywriters

Books, blog posts, speeches, applications and editing: whoever earns with words bills by standard page, word or flat fee and delivers in stages. Saldiqo issues stage invoices by chapter, keeps fee and usage rights apart and shows which clients have not paid yet.

Updated: 16 October 2026

What comes up for ghostwriters and copywriters

Price by scope

Standard pages, words or flat fees: the invoice says how the price is made up.

Long projects in stages

A book takes months. Stage invoices by chapter secure income.

Discretion

Ghostwriters do not name their clients. The service description on the invoice is neutral.

How Saldiqo helps

Stage invoices by chapterQuote, stage invoices, final invoice.
Neutral service descriptionService as an item with a general name.
Usage rightsAs a separate line.
Match paymentsUpload the bank statement, keep open invoices in view.

Typical invoice lines

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

Manuscript, chapters 1 to 4, stage invoice
Editing, 200 standard pages
Blog posts, 1,200 words, 5 pieces
Speech for an occasion, flat fee
Usage rights, unlimited in time and territory
Round of corrections by effort

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.

Frequently asked questions

How do I bill books in stages?

With stage invoices by chapter from the quote. The final invoice deducts them.

How neutral can the service description be?

You choose the item name freely, for example text work as agreed. Saldiqo checks the mandatory details for your country.

Do ghostwriters and copywriters 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 ghostwriters and copywriters 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 ghostwriters and copywriters 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.