Invoicing as an artist without your own company

Many artists start playing gigs without having their own company. That works fine, but it quickly raises the question of how to get paid when the organiser asks for an invoice. This guide explains the options in plain English, based on the Swedish rules. It does not replace professional advice, so always check which rules apply to you with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).

Why it matters

When an organiser pays someone who is not approved for F-tax (F-skatt), the payment usually counts as employment income. That means the organiser has to deduct tax and pay employer contributions. Many restaurants and hotels want to avoid that admin, so they ask for an invoice. If you do not have a company, you need another way to get paid so you are as easy to book as an artist with their own business.

Three ways to get paid

The organiser pays you through payroll

The organiser can employ you for the gig and pay you through their payroll. It works, but it requires the organiser to handle payroll, tax and contributions, and not all of them do.

Through an invoicing service

An invoicing service, known in Sweden as egenanställning and similar to an umbrella company, sends the invoice to the organiser in its own name and then pays the money out to you through payroll. The organiser gets a regular invoice and you get paid through payroll without starting a company. Jocky Gig Log works like this for artists.

Your own company

With a sole trader business (enskild firma) or a limited company (AB) registered for F-tax, you send the invoices yourself. That gives you the most control but also the most admin, with bookkeeping and tax returns.

How an invoicing service works

1. You register the job. You enter who is paying, the date and the amount.
2. The service invoices the organiser. The organiser gets an invoice and pays the service.
3. You get paid through payroll. The service deducts employer contributions, tax and its own fee, and pays the rest to you through payroll.

Bear in mind that the amount you take home is lower than the amount on the invoice, since employer contributions and tax are deducted. So work out what you want to be left with when you set your price. Our guide to setting your fee as a DJ shows you how.

What the organiser needs to know

Tell the organiser early how you get paid, ideally in your quote. Make clear whether the amount you quote is the amount that will be invoiced, and who will send the invoice. The organiser wants to know they will get a correct invoice and will not have to handle payroll, tax or employer contributions themselves. When you use an invoicing service, the service's name is on the invoice, so mention it in advance to avoid questions. Agree when payment is due too, for example 30 days after the gig, and make sure it is in the contract. Restaurants and hotels that book through Jocky's booking system get the invoice automatically, and the guide to live music at restaurants shows how they plan their music nights.

Keep track of your gigs

When you play at lots of different places, things easily get messy: who has paid, which invoices have been sent and what is left after tax? With Jocky Gig Log you log gigs you have booked outside Jocky in a few seconds. We make sure the organiser gets an invoice and that you get paid, either to your own company or through payroll if you do not have one. Gigs booked through Jocky are handled automatically.

When is it time to start your own company?

Whichever route you choose, it is wise to keep records for every gig: date, organiser, amount and when the payment arrived. It makes your tax return easier and gives you a picture of how much you actually earn from music over a year.

There is no threshold that suits everyone. Many people start a company when music becomes a big part of their income, when they want to deduct costs for equipment or when they want more control. Others prefer to avoid the bookkeeping and keep getting paid through payroll. It is worth talking to an accountant and reading up on the Swedish Tax Agency's (Skatteverket's) website before you decide. You can also read more on the page for artists.

Frequently asked questions about invoicing without a company

Can you invoice without a company in Sweden?

Without a company, you cannot send your own invoices as an F-tax holder (F-skatt). You can, however, invoice through an invoicing service, which sends the invoice in its own name and pays the money out to you through payroll after tax and contributions. The organiser can also pay you directly through their own payroll.

What is egenanställning?

Egenanställning, roughly an umbrella company arrangement, means an invoicing service invoices your client and pays your fee out to you through payroll. The service deducts employer contributions, tax and its own fee. You do not have to start a company, but you take home less than the invoiced amount.

How do I get paid as an artist without a company through Jocky?

With Jocky Gig Log you can log your gigs and get paid through payroll if you do not have your own company. The organiser gets an invoice and you get paid. Gigs booked through Jocky are handled automatically on the platform.

Do I need to start a company to play as a DJ or troubadour?

No, you can play and get paid through payroll without your own company, either directly from the organiser or through an invoicing service. Many people start a company once music becomes a bigger part of their income. Check which rules apply to you with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket).