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Accounting and invoicing for illustrators

Book illustration, storyboards, characters, editorial and commissioned portraits: illustrators sell images with usage rights and work for publishers, agencies and private people. Saldiqo writes invoices with motif, rights and term, issues stage invoices and records material and software.

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What comes up for illustrators

Images and rights

The price depends on the scope of the image and the usage rights.

Long book projects

A picture book takes months. Stage invoices secure income.

Private commissions

Portraits and requested motifs for private people are small jobs with a quick invoice.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Invoice with motif and rightsMotif, format and usage rights as lines.
  • Stage invoices for book projectsQuote, stage invoices, final invoice.
  • Record materialPaper, paint, tablet and software.
  • Match paymentsUpload the bank statement.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Double-page illustration, colour
  • Character design, 3 figures
  • Usage rights book edition, print run up to 5,000
  • Commissioned portrait, A3
  • Corrections by effort
  • Deposit 40 % at contract start

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 book projects?

With stage invoices per stage from the quote and a final invoice.

How do I show usage rights?

As a separate line with duration, territory and print run.

Do illustrators 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 illustrators 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 illustrators 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.