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Tax Settings

Configure GST and tax settings for your tourism business in Launchpad

Hayden Zammit Meaney avatar
Written by Hayden Zammit Meaney
Updated today

Tax Settings

Correct tax configuration ensures your invoices are accurate and compliant with Australian tax requirements. Launchpad helps you manage GST and other tax settings for your tourism business.

Understanding GST for tourism

What is GST?

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a 10% tax on most goods and services sold in Australia. If your business is registered for GST, you need to:

  • Charge GST on taxable sales

  • Issue tax invoices

  • Report GST to the ATO

  • Claim GST credits on business purchases

Do you need to register?

You must register for GST if:

  • Your annual turnover is $75,000 or more

  • You want to claim fuel tax credits

  • Your business is a taxi or rideshare service

You can choose to register voluntarily if your turnover is below the threshold.

Accessing tax settings

  • Go to Settings from the main menu

  • Click Payments

  • Scroll to the Tax Settings section

Or find tax settings within Settings > Payments.

Configuring your tax settings

Setting your GST status

- GST Registered — you charge and report GST - Not GST Registered — you don't charge GST

  • Save your changes

Adding your ABN

Your Australian Business Number (ABN) appears on invoices:

  • Go to Settings > Payments

  • Enter your 11-digit ABN

  • Your ABN is validated automatically

  • Save your changes

If you haven't added your ABN elsewhere, you can also add it in your Business Profile.

Tax invoice settings

Configure how tax appears on invoices:

  • Go to Tax Settings in Payment Settings

  • Choose your display preference:

- GST Inclusive — prices include GST, GST amount shown separately - GST Exclusive — prices exclude GST, GST added to total

  • Set your tax invoice numbering format

  • Save your changes

Pricing and GST

GST-inclusive pricing

Most Australian tourism businesses show prices inclusive of GST:

  • Displayed price: $110

  • GST component: $10

  • Price excluding GST: $100

This is how your invoices will break down the amounts.

Setting up GST-inclusive prices

When creating products in Launchpad:

  • Enter prices as the total customers pay

  • Launchpad calculates the GST component

  • Invoices show the GST breakdown

GST-exclusive scenarios

Some B2B situations use GST-exclusive pricing:

  • You quote a net price to trade partners

  • GST is added on top

  • Total includes the original price plus 10%

Tax on different product types

Standard tourism products

Most tours, experiences, and activities attract standard GST (10%):

  • Day tours

  • Adventure activities

  • Guided experiences

  • Event tickets

Accommodation

Accommodation is GST-taxable:

  • Hotel rooms

  • Holiday rentals

  • Campsite fees

GST-free items

Some tourism-related items may be GST-free:

  • Basic food items (not prepared meals)

  • Certain educational services

  • Some exports to overseas visitors

Consult your accountant for specific advice on your products.

Tax reports

Generating tax reports

Launchpad helps with tax reporting:

  • Go to your Reports section

  • Find Tax Reports or GST Reports

  • Select the period (typically quarterly for BAS)

  • Generate the report

  • Use the data for your BAS lodgement

What's included

Tax reports show:

  • Total taxable sales

  • GST collected

  • Summary by tax rate

  • Transaction details

Exporting for your accountant

  • Generate the tax report

  • Click Export or Download

  • Choose CSV or PDF format

  • Share with your accountant

Common tax scenarios

Deposits and GST

When you take a deposit:

  • GST applies to the deposit amount

  • Remaining GST applies when the balance is paid

  • Tax invoices can be issued for each payment

Refunds and GST

When you issue a refund:

  • The GST component is also refunded

  • This reduces your GST liability

  • Refunds are reflected in tax reports

Multi-day experiences

For packages spanning multiple days:

  • GST applies to the total package price

  • Calculate GST on the complete amount

  • Payment timing doesn't change the GST calculation

Working with your accountant

Sharing access

Consider giving your accountant limited access to Launchpad:

  • Add them as a team member

  • Assign a role with financial viewing permissions

  • They can generate reports directly

End-of-period process

At the end of each tax period:

  • Ensure all invoices are recorded

  • Reconcile payments received

  • Generate tax reports

  • Review with your accountant

  • Lodge your BAS

Troubleshooting

GST not calculating correctly

If GST amounts seem wrong:

  • Check your GST registration status in settings

  • Verify the product has the correct tax settings

  • Confirm prices are entered as intended (inclusive vs exclusive)

  • Regenerate the invoice if needed

ABN validation failed

If your ABN won't validate:

  • Check you entered all 11 digits correctly

  • Verify your ABN at abr.business.gov.au

  • Ensure no spaces or special characters

  • Contact support if issues persist

Missing tax on invoices

If invoices don't show GST:

  • Check your GST registration status

  • Ensure tax settings are configured

  • Verify the product includes GST

  • Regenerate affected invoices

Important notes

Not financial advice

This guide provides general information about GST settings in Launchpad. For advice specific to your situation:

  • Consult a registered tax agent

  • Contact the ATO

  • Speak with your accountant

Keep records

The ATO requires you to keep records for at least 5 years:

  • Tax invoices

  • Receipts

  • BAS lodgements

  • Financial reports

Launchpad stores your transaction history, but maintain your own backups.

Correct tax settings keep your business compliant and your invoicing accurate.

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