Tax Invoice Template

Why this template matters

A tax invoice is not just a request for money — it is the document your customer uses to claim a GST credit, and the document the ATO expects to see if either side is ever reviewed. Get a field wrong and you hand the customer a reason to query rather than pay, or worse, you charge GST you are not entitled to collect.

The fix is boring and effective: build one layout, fill in the same fields in the same place every time, and never improvise. When the structure never changes, your own records stay tidy, your customer's accounts team can process you on autopilot, and missing details stand out to you before the invoice ever leaves your desk.

The template

TAX INVOICE

[Your trading name]
ABN: [11 22 333 444]
[Address line 1]
[Suburb STATE Postcode]
[Phone]   [Email]

Bill to: [Customer name / business]
         [Customer ABN — required if total is $1,000 or more]
         [Customer address]

Invoice number: INV-0001
Issue date:     14 March 2026
Due date:       28 March 2026

------------------------------------------------------------
Description                  Qty   Unit price   Amount (AUD)
------------------------------------------------------------
[Goods or service]            10      90.00        900.00
[Goods or service]             1     150.00        150.00
------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal (ex GST)                                 1,050.00
GST (10%)                                            105.00
TOTAL (inc GST)                                   1,155.00
------------------------------------------------------------

Payment terms: Net 14 — due 28 March 2026
Pay by EFT:    BSB 000-000  Acc 00000000
Reference:     INV-0001

Thank you for your business.

How to use it

Replace every bracketed field with your own details and save the result as your master template in your accounting software or a reusable document. The words 'tax invoice', your ABN, the GST amount and the GST-inclusive total are the four fields you must never drop — they are what makes the document a valid tax invoice rather than a plain request for payment.

One rule that catches people out: only show a GST line if you are actually registered for GST. If you are not registered, delete the GST row entirely and the document is simply an 'Invoice'. For the buyer's identifier, remember the $1,000 threshold — at or above it you must name the buyer or quote their ABN. To skip the formatting altogether, the Merion invoice generator produces a compliant layout you can fill in and download.

Common mistakes to avoid

Three errors account for most rejected or queried tax invoices. First, a vague description — 'consulting' tells the customer nothing and invites a phone call; reference their purchase order or job name instead. Second, a missing or reused invoice number, which makes your ledger look careless and your payment matching unreliable. Third, an ambiguous due date written as 'net 14' rather than an explicit calendar date.

Fix all three at the template stage and you remove them from every future invoice at once. GST rates and registration rules can change and edge cases exist — for anything beyond the standard 10% treatment shown here, confirm the position with the ATO or your accountant rather than guessing.