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What a tax invoice is

A tax invoice is an invoice that carries the details a registered business needs to claim back the GST or VAT it paid: the seller's tax registration number, the tax charged shown separately, and in Australia a clear statement that it is a tax invoice. Without those details the buyer usually cannot claim the credit.

The Tax Invoice Generator prints the tax line and its rate on every document. Tax Invoice Generator

Checking an invoice qualifies

  1. Confirm you are registered for GST or VAT. Unregistered businesses must not issue tax invoices.
  2. Put your registration number on it: ABN, GST number, GSTIN or VAT number.
  3. Show the tax separately from the price, with its rate.
  4. Include the date, a unique number and a description of what was supplied.
  5. Add the buyer's details where the rules require them for larger sales.

Australia

A tax invoice must show that it is intended to be a tax invoice, the seller's identity and ABN, the date of issue, a brief description of what was sold with quantity and price, the GST amount if any, and the extent to which each sale is taxable. For sales of 1,000 dollars or more it must also show the buyer's identity or ABN.

A buyer needs a tax invoice to claim GST credits on purchases over 82.50 dollars including GST, and can ask for one. The seller then has 28 days to provide it.

New Zealand

Since April 2023, New Zealand has used taxable supply information instead of tax invoices. What is required depends on the value: above 200 dollars and up to 1,000, the supplier's name and GST number, the date, a description and the amounts; above 1,000 dollars, the buyer's details as well. Many businesses still title the document tax invoice, which remains fine.

India

Under GST, a registered supplier issues a tax invoice with their GSTIN, a consecutive serial number unique for the financial year, the date, the recipient's details and GSTIN if registered, the HSN or SAC code, a description, the quantity, the taxable value, the tax rate and amount, and the place of supply for supplies between states.

Supplies within a state are taxed as CGST and SGST, which must appear as two separate amounts. The GST Invoice Generator on this site prints them that way, with an HSN or SAC code on every line. It does not register invoices on the e-invoicing portal, which larger businesses must do.

United Kingdom

The UK calls it a VAT invoice. A full VAT invoice shows a unique number, your name, address and VAT registration number, the time of supply and the date of issue, the customer's name and address, a description, the unit price, the VAT rate and the VAT amount. Retailers can give a simplified VAT invoice for supplies of 250 pounds or less including VAT.

Questions people ask next

Can I issue a tax invoice if I am not registered for GST or VAT?

No. Only registered businesses charge GST or VAT and issue tax invoices. If you are not registered, issue an ordinary invoice with no tax on it.

Is a receipt a tax invoice?

Sometimes. A receipt that carries every required detail can serve as a tax invoice. A card terminal slip usually does not.

What is the difference between a tax invoice and an invoice?

A tax invoice is an invoice with the extra details a buyer needs to claim the tax back.

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