GST for Shopify: what Australian online stores need to know

If you run an online store using Shopify, understanding how GST applies is essential. Between platform fees, customer sales, digital services and overseas transactions, GST can quickly become confusing. This guide explains how GST works for Shopify merchants in Australia, using Australian Taxation Office (ATO) guidance and Shopify’s own billing rules, so you can stay…

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Facebook ads and GST: What Australian businesses need to know

Is GST charged on Facebook ads in Australia? Yes. GST can apply to Facebook and Instagram advertising, but how it works is not always obvious. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, supplies advertising services to Australian businesses. Since 1 July 2017, overseas digital suppliers like Meta have been required to register for Australian GST and…

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Cash vs accrual GST: Understanding your GST accounting method

When you register for GST, one of the key choices you make is how you account for GST. This affects when you report GST on sales and when you can claim GST credits on business expenses in your Business Activity Statement (BAS). For many small businesses, the decision comes down to cash basis versus non-cash…

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Is there GST on Google Ads?

Google Ads & GST

Google Ads is one of the most popular digital marketing strategies. Business owners love it for its fast results and great return on investment. They are easy to get into and set up, and if you have an Ads expert by your side, are extremely effective. Now with so many business owners using the platform, there are…

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Correctly Calculating the GST Portion of the Full Amount

Calculating GST correctly is an important element to stable cashflow in your business. Correct calculations will allow you to get some cash back from GST credits, while leaving no shocks about the GST you actually have to pay. Incorrect calculations can lead to bill shock, penalties, or worse. So, it is vital that all business owners understand GST and how to calculate it.   To help you,…

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Crossing Over The $75,000 GST Threshold

GST is a 10% tax on most goods and services designed to be paid for by the end consumer. As a business, you are obligated to register for GST once certain conditions are met. When registered for GST, businesses must collect GST on top of sales they make, except for the sale of GST-free items. This GST…

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GST On Gift Cards And Vouchers

Gift cards and vouchers are a common option businesses offer to add an extra revenue stream from customers. They allow you to receive money from the sale of your products before the product has been purchased. This makes them a great option for injecting more cash into the business, improving cashflow.   As more businesses are considering offering gift cards it…

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New GST Rules On Sales Of Australian Accommodation By Online Travel Agencies

The rules regarding GST for offshore accommodation sellers who sell Australian accommodation have changed. Previously, many business travellers have been caught out by overseas sellers who were unable to provide tax invoices on the sale of Australian accommodation as they were not registered for GST. These sellers were not required to be registered for GST, even…

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A Guide To GST On Digital Goods

For Australian and non-Australian businesses who sell digital goods it is important to know what your GST obligations are. As a country that spends on average $3,427 per person per year on digital goods, Australia is a lucrative market for any online business to enter. In entering the market, you will need to be aware of goods and services…

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What is the relationship between ABN and GST?

What is GST?  The Goods and Services Tax (GST), introduced on 1 July 2000, is a 10 per cent tax on the sales or supplies of most goods, services, or other items sold or consumed in Australia. In the GST system, GST is paid at each step in the supply chain. GST-registered individuals or organisations must include GST in the price of…

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