If you run a solo mobile grooming business from a van or trailer, GST questions are tied to the road. Matting, late cancellations and long drives can move the numbers quickly. Here is a practical guide to ABNs, cashflow and Reservo invoices. ## Start with your ABN and turnover An Australian Business Number (ABN) identifies your grooming business when you invoice customers and deal with the ATO. It is separate from GST registration. If you are carrying on an enterprise as a sole trader, apply through the Australian Business Register and keep the number on your business records. GST registration is separate. You generally must register when GST turnover reaches $75,000 in a rolling twelve-month period, or when you reasonably expect it to. Turnover is sales before expenses, not cash left after fuel and supplies. Voluntary registration is possible; choose it with advice that fits your pricing. ## When GST applies to grooming services Once you are registered, ordinary taxable grooming services — such as washes, clips, nail trims and de-shedding — generally include 10% GST. If your advertised price is GST-inclusive, the GST component is one-eleventh of the total, not 10% of the total. For example, a $110 mobile groom contains $10 GST and $100 before GST. A $88 groom contains $8 GST and $80 before GST. That distinction matters when you set a price that already feels familiar to a pet owner: the amount collected is not all business income available for spending. ## Use deposits for matting and fur-prone bookings Matting can make a booking less predictable. A dog may need extra time, a different treatment plan or a conversation with the owner before you start. A small deposit helps protect the slot you reserved, especially when you have loaded the van, prepared the equipment and driven across town. Put the deposit, due date and cancellation outcome in plain language before confirming. Keep booking, payment and cancellation records together; GST treatment can depend on the circumstances and accounting method, so confirm it with your adviser. Point customers to the FAQ on deposits and cancellation terms so the policy is clear. ## Make late cancellations consistent A late cancellation is more than an empty calendar square: it can mean wasted travel time, setup and a lost chance to fill the route. Set one clear notice window, apply it consistently, and make any late-cancellation charge visible during booking. Keep the tone practical: the charge covers time and setup that could not be reused, not a punishment. If you waive a fee, record why, so paid, refunded or retained amounts remain clear. ## Count the cashflow between appointments Mobile grooming has costs beyond the service price: fuel, water, electricity or battery charging, generator use, towels, blades, shampoo, waste disposal, parking, tolls and travel time. A full day can still feel tight if the route has long gaps or the next job is far away. Review each booking by price, deposit, balance, cancellation and travel burden. Separate business purchases and keep tax invoices. If registered, claim only credits your records and adviser support. ## Use the gap between stops as a mobile-only workflow The best workflow is one you can finish from the phone while the van is parked. After a booking comes in, confirm the service, collect the deposit, send the reminder and check the next address. Between stops, update the booking status, record a cancellation or mark payment received without waiting for a laptop. That discipline prevents the end-of-week memory exercise: who paid, which dog needed extra dematting time, and which appointment lost its deposit? Reservo keeps booking and customer communication together, so the operational note stays near the financial record. ## Make Reservo invoices GST-ready Set service prices clearly as GST-inclusive or GST-exclusive and use the same convention everywhere. For a confirmed taxable booking, a Reservo Tax Invoice can show your business details and ABN, the service, GST calculated as one-eleventh of the inclusive total, and the amount payable. That is easier to reconcile than rebuilding each job from a bank notification. If you are comparing booking costs with the time saved on admin, see Reservo pricing for solo service businesses. For payment, deposit and cancellation edge cases, the FAQ answers common customer questions, while your accountant can confirm how a particular fee belongs in the BAS. ## A short mobile groomer checklist - Keep your ABN on invoices and confirm whether you need GST registration. - Price each service consistently and calculate inclusive GST as one-eleventh. - Publish the deposit and late-cancellation terms before taking payment. - Track fuel, water, power, travel time and equipment costs by route. - Use the phone workflow between stops to update bookings and payment status. - Reconcile Reservo Tax Invoices, refunds and retained deposits before each BAS. Capture the detail while the booking is fresh, so the van keeps moving and the GST records are ready when needed.