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Accounting and invoicing for retirees with a side activity

Consulting for former colleagues, crafts as a hobby, selling at the market: whoever earns on top in retirement wants little effort and still clean invoices. Saldiqo sets the tax note, shows the turnover limit and keeps the receipts in one place.

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What comes up for retirees with a side activity

Little effort

Whoever works in retirement does not want big bookkeeping. A few invoices a month have to be quick.

Extra income and limits

Depending on the country, limits apply to extra income. Income has to be traceable.

Plain language

Jargon gets in the way. A tool that shows in simple words what to do helps.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Invoice in a few clicksPick the customer, pick the service, send.
  • Tax noteChoose the matching small business tax type.
  • Income at a glanceA yearly overview without jargon.
  • Photograph receiptsCapture receipts with your phone.

Typical invoice lines

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

  • Consulting for a former employer, hours
  • Repair work by effort
  • Sale of woodwork, as per list
  • Material as per receipt
  • Travel costs, flat fee
  • Credit note: discount granted afterwards

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

May I earn on top in retirement?

That depends on your country and your pension. Which limits apply to you, you clear with the pension insurer and your tax adviser.

Is Saldiqo made for beginners?

Yes. The flow is short, and Saldiqo checks the mandatory details before you finalise an invoice.

Do retirees with a side activity 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 retirees with a side activity 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 retirees with a side activity 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.