SEO & Digital Marketing Consultant

Optimise your Revenue return as much as you optimise your clients' rankings.

Allowable Expenses

• SEO & Marketing Tools — Ahrefs, SEMrush, Screaming Frog, and other subscription tools used for client campaigns.
• Training & Certifications — Google Analytics certifications, digital marketing courses, and industry conference attendance.
• Professional Subscriptions — Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII) membership and relevant industry newsletter subscriptions.
• Software & CRM — Email marketing platforms, project management tools, and CRM software.
• Travel & Client Meetings — Mileage and public transport for visiting clients — claim the Revenue approved rate of €0.2774 per km for cars.
• Home Office — A proportion of broadband, electricity, and home costs for office-based work.

Tax Tips

• The Revenue-approved mileage rate for cars is €0.2774 per km (up to 1,500 km per month) — use this instead of tracking actual fuel costs.
• Digital services provided to consumers in other EU countries may be subject to EU VAT rules — check the One Stop Shop (OSS) if you have non-Irish EU clients.
• Revenue requires you to keep records for six years — retain all invoices, receipts, and bank statements.
• The Marketing Institute of Ireland membership is a professional subscription — claim it as an allowable expense.

Frequently Asked Questions

When must I register for VAT in Ireland as an SEO consultant?

Register for Irish VAT when your annual service turnover exceeds €37,500. SEO and digital marketing services to Irish businesses are subject to VAT at 23%. For EU business clients, the reverse charge mechanism typically applies.

Can I claim client ad spend as my own expense?

No. Client advertising spend managed on your accounts must be recharged in full to the client. Only your management fee and your own operational costs are deductible. Incorrectly claiming client spend inflates your expenses and may create compliance issues.

What records does Revenue expect?

Revenue expects invoices for all income, receipts for all claimed expenses, a mileage log for client travel, and records linking each expense to its business purpose. Records must be retained for 6 years in Ireland.

How do I handle EU B2B clients for Irish VAT purposes?

For business clients in other EU countries, the reverse charge mechanism applies — you issue an invoice without Irish VAT, and the client accounts for it in their own country. Ensure your client provides a valid EU VAT number before applying the reverse charge.