Question 1

What is GST and how does it differ from VAT?

Accepted Answer

GST (Goods and Services Tax) is the term used in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, and several other countries for what the EU/UK call VAT. The mechanics are identical — a consumption tax applied at each stage of supply with credits for input tax. The naming is regional. Australia's 10% GST, Canada's 5% GST + provincial PST/HST, India's 5/12/18/28% GST tiers, NZ's 15% GST, and Singapore's 9% GST all work the same way mechanically.

Question 2

What does an Australian GST invoice need?

Accepted Answer

ATO requires the words "Tax invoice" plus supplier ABN, issue date, items + price, and GST amount (or that prices include GST). Buyer details required for sales over AUD$1,000. 10% standard rate; some items GST-free or input-taxed. See the dedicated Australia invoice page (linked below) for full details.

Question 3

What about Canadian GST/HST?

Accepted Answer

Canada has 5% federal GST plus provincial layers: HST in 5 provinces (replacing GST + PST at 13-15%), separate PST/QST in 4 provinces (5% GST plus 6-9.975% PST/QST), or just 5% GST in Alberta and the territories. Business Number with RT extension required on every invoice. See the dedicated Canada invoice page (linked below) for full details.

Question 4

What does an Indian GST invoice need?

Accepted Answer

GSTIN (15-character GST identification number) of supplier and recipient (for B2B), HSN/SAC code per line item (4-8 digits depending on turnover), GST rate per item (5/12/18/28%), CGST + SGST split for intra-state or IGST for inter-state, and place of supply. India's e-invoicing mandate requires structured-format submission via Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) for businesses above the threshold. Issueable produces the human-readable invoice; pair with an IRP integration provider for the structured submission.

Question 5

How does NZ GST work?

Accepted Answer

Standard rate 15%, with most goods and services taxable. Registration threshold is NZD$60,000 annual turnover. GST-registered businesses must include their IRD (Inland Revenue Department) number on tax invoices. The format is similar to Australia — clear identification of supplier, recipient (for sales over $200), GST amount, and total. Exports of goods are zero-rated.

Question 6

What about Singapore GST?

Accepted Answer

Standard rate 9% (raised from 8% in 2024). Registration threshold is SGD$1 million annual turnover. Tax invoices must include supplier GST registration number, customer name (for taxable supplies), description, GST rate, and total. Singapore has been rolling out InvoiceNow (a Peppol-based national e-invoicing network); businesses transacting with the public sector are increasingly required to use it.

Question 7

Does GST apply to digital services and SaaS?

Accepted Answer

Most GST jurisdictions now tax digital services and SaaS. Australia: 10% GST applies to digital services from non-resident suppliers if customer is in Australia (since 2017). India: 18% GST on most digital services / SaaS. NZ: 15% GST on cross-border services to NZ consumers. Singapore: 9% GST on digital services from overseas. Issueable's tax handling supports digital-services scenarios; check your local rules for B2B vs B2C distinction.

Question 8

Should I use this if I'm not GST-registered?

Accepted Answer

Yes — non-registered businesses still issue invoices, just without GST. Set the GST rate to 0% in the editor. State on the invoice that you're not GST-registered ("Not registered for GST" or country-specific equivalent) so customers know they can't claim an input tax credit. Once you cross the registration threshold, switch the rate to your country's standard GST rate.

GST Invoice Generator

Built for GST Compliance

Country-Specific Format

Multi-Tier GST Rates

Export GST Handling

Cross-Country Coverage

Australian Sole Traders

Canadian Small Business

Indian B2B Vendors

NZ / SG Service Providers

GST Invoice FAQ