Free ATO Tax Invoice Generator

Create a compliant Australian tax invoice — the tool adapts automatically based on your GST registration and the invoice amount. Free to use, no signup required.

GST Registration
Your Business Details
Customer Details
Invoice Details
Items / Services
Payment Details (optional)

TAX INVOICE

[Business Name]

ABN: [ABN]

Invoice: [INV-XXXX]

Issued: 1 September 2026

Due: —

Bill To

[Customer Name]

DescriptionQtyPriceAmount
[Item]1$0.00$0.00
Subtotal$0.00
GST$0.00
Total (incl. GST)$0.00

Email delivery isn't wired up in this build — no email-sending infrastructure exists in the codebase yet. Copy, print, or download the PDF and send it however you normally send invoices for now.

Please read before you rely on this invoice

This tool helps you generate an invoice based on published ATO guidance and the details you enter. It is not tax advice and does not confirm your GST registration status with the ATO. For GST registration decisions or complex invoicing situations, consult a registered tax agent or accountant.

ATO Tax Invoice Requirements Checklist

For sales under $1,000, a compliant tax invoice needs to clearly show seven things:

  • The document is intended as a tax invoice
  • The seller's identity
  • The seller's ABN
  • The date of issue
  • A description of the goods or services, including quantity
  • The GST amount payable, or a statement that the price includes GST
  • Which items on the invoice are taxable

For sales of $1,000 or more, the buyer's identity or ABN must also appear. This tool builds all of that automatically from what you enter, and checks the $1,000 threshold itself, so you won't need to track it yourself.

GST Registered vs Not Registered — Why It Changes the Invoice

If you're registered for GST, your invoice should say "Tax Invoice" and show the GST amount, either as a separate line or a statement that the total includes GST. If you're not registered for GST, the invoice must not use the words "Tax Invoice" and must not show a GST line at all, since either would incorrectly suggest GST has been charged.

This tool switches automatically between the two: select "Not registered for GST" and the document becomes a plain "Invoice" with no GST line and a short note explaining why.

What Counts as a Valid Tax Invoice (and What Doesn't)

An invoice that's missing the seller's ABN, doesn't say "Tax Invoice" when GST has been charged, or shows a GST amount without being registered for GST is not a valid ATO tax invoice. The same applies to invoices where the item description is too vague to show what was sold, or where the GST amount doesn't match the price charged. An invalid tax invoice can stop a buyer from claiming the GST credit, even if the sale itself was legitimate.

Tax Invoice vs. Proforma Invoice vs. Receipt

A proforma invoice is sent before work starts or goods are delivered, to show an expected price. It isn't a tax invoice and can't be used to claim a GST credit. A receipt is proof that a payment was made, and doesn't need to meet the full tax invoice requirements unless it's also being used as the tax invoice. A tax invoice is issued for a completed sale and, when it meets the ATO's requirements, supports the buyer's GST credit claim.

The $82.50, $75, and $1,000 Thresholds Explained

Below $82.50 including GST, a tax invoice isn't required for your customer to claim a GST credit, though many businesses issue one anyway as standard practice. At $1,000 or more, the buyer's identity or ABN becomes a required field, and this tool checks your invoice total automatically and prompts for that detail once you cross the threshold.

A separate $75 threshold applies to ABNs. If a supplier doesn't quote an ABN on an invoice over $75 (excluding GST), the payer is generally required to withhold 47% of the payment for the ATO, unless an exception applies.

How to Use This ATO Tax Invoice Generator

  1. Select whether you're registered for GST.
  2. Enter your business details and ABN.
  3. Add the customer's details.
  4. Add the invoice number and dates.
  5. Add each item or service — the tool calculates GST and totals automatically.
  6. Add payment details if needed, then copy, print, or download the invoice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What must be on an ATO tax invoice?
For sales under $1,000, a tax invoice must clearly show seven things: that the document is intended as a tax invoice, your identity (business name), your ABN, the date of issue, a description of what was sold including quantity and price, the GST amount (or a statement that the price includes GST), and which items are taxable. For sales of $1,000 or more, the buyer's identity or ABN must also appear.
What are the ATO tax invoice requirements for GST?
If you’re registered for GST and making a taxable sale, the invoice must show the GST amount as a separate line, or state clearly that the total price includes GST. If some items are GST-free and others are taxable, you need to show which is which — you cannot apply a single blended GST figure across mixed supplies.
Do I need to charge GST if I’m not registered?
No. If you’re not registered for GST, you must not include GST on your invoice, and the document should not be labelled "Tax Invoice" — that wording specifically means GST has been charged. This tool automatically switches to a plain "Invoice" with no GST line when you select "not registered".
What is the ATO tax invoice threshold?
Two thresholds matter. Below $82.50 (GST-inclusive), a tax invoice isn’t required for a customer to claim a GST credit, though many businesses issue one as standard practice. At $1,000 or more, the buyer’s identity or ABN must be included on the invoice — this tool checks for that automatically once your total reaches $1,000.
Can I create an ATO-compliant tax invoice for free?
Yes. Enter your business details, the customer details, and your line items, and this tool builds a compliant invoice automatically — including switching between "Tax Invoice" and "Invoice" wording based on your GST registration status. Copy, print, or download the PDF for free.
Do sole traders need to follow the same ATO invoice rules?
Yes. The same tax invoice requirements apply whether you’re a sole trader, company, or partnership. If you’re a GST-registered sole trader, your invoices need the same seven required fields as any other business.
What happens if my tax invoice is missing required information?
Your customer may not be able to claim a GST credit for the purchase, and incomplete records can cause problems if the ATO reviews your invoicing. This tool checks for the required fields before generating the invoice, so nothing essential is left out.
Is there a difference between an invoice and a tax invoice?
Yes. A "tax invoice" specifically means GST has been charged and includes the GST-specific fields the ATO requires. A plain "invoice" is used when no GST applies — for example, when you’re not registered for GST. Using the wrong label on either document can misrepresent whether GST was charged.
What makes a tax invoice valid according to the ATO?
A valid ATO tax invoice shows the seller's identity and ABN, states that it's a tax invoice, includes the issue date, describes each item and its quantity, and shows the GST amount or a statement that the price includes GST. For invoices of $1,000 or more, it must also show the buyer's identity or ABN. Missing any of these can make the invoice invalid for GST credit claims.
What if a supplier's invoice doesn't quote an ABN?
If a supplier doesn't quote an ABN on an invoice for more than $75 (excluding GST), the payer is generally required to withhold 47% of the payment and send it to the ATO, unless an exception applies, such as the supplier being a hobbyist or the goods being GST-free. This tool prompts for an ABN so you avoid issuing an invoice that triggers this rule.
What's the difference between a tax invoice and a proforma invoice?
A proforma invoice is sent before work is done or goods are delivered, to show an expected price. It is not a tax invoice and can't be used to claim a GST credit. A tax invoice is issued for a completed sale and, if it meets ATO requirements, supports a GST credit claim.
Is a receipt the same as a tax invoice?
No. A receipt is proof that a payment was made. A tax invoice is a specific document required to claim GST credits and must include the seller's ABN, GST details, and the other fields the ATO requires. A receipt doesn't need to include all of that unless it's also being used as the tax invoice.

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Source: ATO — Tax invoices (official guidance) · ATO — Registering for GST · ABN Lookup

Disclaimer: This tool provides general invoicing assistance based on published ATO guidance and is not tax advice. For GST registration decisions or complex invoicing situations, consult a registered tax agent or accountant.