Frequently asked questions
Something missing? Write to us at info@milq.ch.
Basics
- What exactly is simple bookkeeping?
- The income-expense method, colloquially known as “Milchbüechli” in Switzerland. You record what came in and what went out — no chart of accounts, no debit and credit, no balance sheet. Article 957(2) of the Swiss Code of Obligations permits it for sole proprietorships with less than CHF 500'000.– annual revenue.
- Is this legally permitted?
- Yes, expressly. The Code of Obligations requires small sole proprietorships only to keep accounts of income, expenses and assets. What matters is traceability: every entry needs a receipt, and everything must be retained for 10 years.
- Do I still need an accountant?
- Not for day-to-day bookkeeping. For unusual cases — converting to an LLC, taking over a business or a tax audit — professional advice is still worthwhile. And if you have one, you simply invite them into your company.
- Which languages is MILQ available in?
- German, French, English and Spanish — the app, invoices, year-end documents and the knowledge base. You choose the language in your account; the invoice language can be set separately per customer.
VAT
- When do I have to file VAT?
- From CHF 100'000.– in revenue from taxable services within twelve months. Below that, VAT doesn’t affect you unless you opt in voluntarily.
- Does MILQ support the net tax rate method?
- Yes, both methods: the net tax rate method with semi-annual filing and the effective method with quarterly filing including input tax deduction. The return shows the figures in the same layout as the official FTA form.
- What about acquisition tax?
- Services you buy from abroad — such as software subscriptions or advertising — can be marked as subject to acquisition tax. MILQ includes them in the return.
- Can I book receipts in euros or dollars?
- Yes. Enter the amount in EUR, USD or GBP, MILQ applies the official FTA daily rate for the booking date and books in francs. The rate can be overridden; journal and export show the original amount, rate and source. Switch it on under Settings › Features.
Invoices and receipts
- Can I write invoices with MILQ?
- Yes, including Swiss QR-bills with QR-IBAN and structured reference. The invoice goes straight to the customer by e-mail, in their language. You record payments in full or in instalments — the matching income is created automatically.
- Are there quotes and credit notes?
- Yes. You write quotes in the same editor and convert them into an invoice with one click. A paid invoice is reversed with a credit note — in full or in part, correct for the books and for VAT.
- What if a customer doesn’t pay?
- You chase overdue invoices with a click — first gently, then with a formal reminder, both by e-mail with the invoice attached. What comes after that (debt enforcement) is explained in the knowledge article on reminders and debt collection.
- Do I have to keep paper receipts?
- Digital copies are sufficient, provided they remain unchanged and legible. The retention period is 10 years.
- Can I photograph receipts with my phone?
- Yes. Photos are normalised and compressed on upload. MILQ reads the receipt with AI and suggests date, amount, category and description — you just check and confirm. If you don’t want receipts sent to an AI service, switch the reading off.
Time and collaboration
- Can I log my hours in MILQ?
- Yes. Date, customer, service, duration — billable entries go on an invoice with one click, one line per entry. Switch time tracking on under Settings › Features; if you don’t need it, you don’t see it.
- Can my accountant access my books?
- Yes. You invite them into your company by e-mail — as owner or team member. They only need a free account, no subscription of their own. And anyone looking after several companies switches between them with one click.
- Can I see who changed what?
- Yes. The change log records who changed which entry, invoice or setting, and when.
Data and subscription
- Where is my data stored?
- On a server in Switzerland. The database is continuously backed up in encrypted form; receipts are additionally stored separately.
- Can I still access my data after cancelling?
- Yes. A complete export as PDF, CSV and receipt archive is possible at any time, even after the subscription has expired.
- What happens after the 30-day trial?
- Nothing automatic — we don’t collect payment details upfront. Without an active subscription, your access simply expires; your data remains.
- Can I switch from another software?
- When switching mid-year, we recommend closing the current year in the old software and starting with MILQ for the new financial year. That avoids cut-off questions.
Want more background?
The knowledge base has in-depth articles on VAT, starting out, year-end and the tricky booking cases.
To the knowledge base