Question 1

What does the ATO require on an Australian tax invoice?

Accepted Answer

Per ATO requirements, a tax invoice for sales over AUD$82.50 (incl GST) must include: (1) the words "Tax invoice", (2) supplier identity (business name + ABN), (3) the date issued, (4) brief description of items including quantity and price, (5) GST amount (or statement that the amount includes GST), and (6) the buyer's identity if the sale is over AUD$1,000. Issueable produces ATO-aligned tax invoices when country is set to AU.

Question 2

What's an ABN and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

Australian Business Number — an 11-digit identifier issued by the ATO for businesses operating in Australia. Required on every tax invoice. Without an ABN, customers must withhold 47% (top marginal rate) when paying invoices over $75 — that's a hard penalty for not having one. Sole traders below the GST threshold can still get an ABN voluntarily; most do because it removes the withholding requirement.

Question 3

When do I need to register for GST?

Accepted Answer

Annual turnover of AUD$75,000 or more (or $150,000 for non-profit organizations) triggers mandatory GST registration. Once registered, you charge 10% GST on taxable supplies and can claim GST credits on business purchases. Below threshold, you can voluntarily register if useful (claiming GST credits on inputs, or signaling "real business" to B2B customers). Issueable lets you set the GST rate; leave at 0% if not registered, set to 10% once registered.

Question 4

GST 10% — what's taxable and what isn't?

Accepted Answer

Most goods and services are taxable at 10%. Basic food, education, health services, and some financial services are GST-free. Some items are input-taxed (residential rent, financial supplies). For invoices with mixed-rate items, list the GST status per line item. Issueable supports two-tax-line if you have a particularly complex invoice (rare in AU); single-rate works for most service businesses.

Question 5

What about BAS — Business Activity Statement reporting?

Accepted Answer

GST-registered businesses lodge BAS quarterly (or monthly for larger businesses, annually for small ones). The BAS reports GST collected, GST paid, PAYG withholding, and other taxes. Issueable produces invoices; pair with Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks Online (Aus), or similar accounting software for actual BAS submission. The invoices feed into the accounting software's reports; Issueable handles the document generation.

Question 6

Should I show prices including or excluding GST?

Accepted Answer

B2B (between GST-registered businesses): typically show GST-exclusive prices on line items with the GST broken out separately, then GST-inclusive total. B2C (consumer-facing): prices must include GST in the displayed price (under the Trade Practices Act / ACCC guidance). For invoices specifically, both formats are acceptable as long as GST is clearly identified — "all prices include 10% GST" is a common short-form on B2C tax invoices.

Question 7

How do I invoice international customers?

Accepted Answer

Goods exported from Australia are typically GST-free. Many services to non-residents are also GST-free, though connected-with-Australia rules apply (services consumed in Australia by a non-resident may still be taxable). State "GST-free supply — export of services" or similar on the invoice and apply 0% GST. The buyer pays in their currency (USD, EUR, etc.); Issueable supports any three-letter code.

Question 8

How long do I keep tax invoices?

Accepted Answer

ATO requires 5 years from the date of relevant transaction. Digital storage is acceptable; PDFs with proper backups work. Some larger businesses keep records longer for ASIC and other regulators. Issueable produces archive-friendly PDFs you can store with your accounting software or in cloud backup.

Australian Tax Invoice Generator

Built for Australian Tax

"Tax invoice" Marker

ABN Prominently Shown

10% GST Handling

Sole Trader to Pty Ltd

Sole Traders

Partnerships & Trusts

Pty Ltd Companies

Cross-Border Service

Australian Tax Invoice FAQ