In this article, you will learn about tax invoices, including when and how you can issue a tax invoice to your guests.

Who is liable for issuing a tax invoice to the guest, Agoda or the property?

As a platform, Agoda only facilitates the online booking reservations for your property and charges a commission for this service. As such, Agoda cannot offer an invoice to a booker for the accommodation services offered by you. Thus, any local requirement to provide a tax invoice at the sell rate remains your responsibility.

Do I need to issue a tax invoice to every guest?

Properties located in all countries except the US, Mainland China, and Taiwan are liable to issue a tax invoice to guests. A tax invoice can be issued either on paper or by email (or both).

What information is required when issuing a tax invoice to a guest?

  1. Hotel name
  2. Guest’s full name
  3. Amount exclusive of GST (Good and Services Tax)/VAT (Value Added Tax)
  4. GST/VAT
  5. Total Amount: Reference Sell Rate (All-inclusive amount incl. tax & fees) *

* Please refer to the Agoda property voucher for the Reference Sell Rate

Sample of a tax invoice

The below sample is for illustrative purpose only; please do not use this template. The exact tax invoice template will depend on the VAT/GST laws of the country where your property is located.

FAQs

1. What if my property is tax-exempted by the government?

The law and regulations in different countries and areas may vary. If your property has a special status, please reach out to Agoda Accommodation Support via the Need Help in YCS.

2. What is the correct invoicing procedure for Agoda Collect reservations?

For any Agoda Collect reservation, Agoda collects the payment from the bookers on your behalf and remits the remaining amount to you after charging Agoda’s service fees. This payment collection flow does not impact the business setup or general invoicing flow.

As such under your local law, you will remain responsible for issuing the invoice for your accommodation services to the booker (at the sell rate). Agoda will send its commission statement to you for services provided.

3. Upon customer request, should we issue the invoice under Agoda’s name?

You provide the accommodation service directly to the guest; hence any invoice for the accommodation services rendered should still be issued under your property name.

4. What is the rate for which the property needs to issue the tax invoice?

As you render accommodation services at the final sell rate directly to the guest, any (tax) invoice should also reflect this sales price. It doesn’t matter whether you have loaded a net room rate (to be marked up to a sell room rate towards the guest by Agoda’s systems) or loaded a sell room rate directly onto the Agoda platform.

Furthermore, where Agoda collects the funds from the guest on your behalf, we will first charge the fee for our reservation facilitation services before paying out the remaining (net rate) amount to you. The fact that we have settled the cost for our services prior to pay out does not alter the sales price of your accommodation services to the guest, which remains at the sell rate.

5. We cannot use the reference sell rate, as it would not match with our internal finance bookkeeping records, which could lead to issues with local authorities.

Agoda facilitates the online booking reservations for your property and charges a commission for this service. Agoda supports collection of the payment amount from guests on your behalf; we charge this fee (our commission) before paying out the remainder of the payment to you. Irrespective of this payment flow, your sale to the booker remains at the (Reference) Sell amount.

Note that the payment flow does not dictate or change the (commission) business model under which we have agreed to operate. If your current bookkeeping for whatever reason does not support the tax reporting of our services to you as a cost, as well as your supply to the guest (at the sell rate) as an earning, we strongly recommend you make all necessary corrections within your system. As Agoda’s business model is set up in accordance with a commission model, we cannot legally support operating under another business model.

6. We started to receive tax invoices; what action is required from me?

Agoda cannot provide any tax or legal advice. Note that while there is no requirement for Agoda to charge VAT on its services (commission), it is in many countries still a requirement that hotels report and self-assess VAT on Agoda’s services which may, depending on the hotels tax position, be reclaimable. As the exact requirements are highly dependent on your jurisdiction and tax position, we strongly recommend you discuss the specifics with your local (tax) advisor or accountant.

Contact us

Still looking for a solution? Contact us via the YCS Need Help Button or these other methods.

Apakah artikel ini membantu?

%

%

Terima kasih atas masukan Anda!

Kami senang mendengarnya! Silakan beri tahu kami secara terperinci.
Maaf atas ketidaknyamanannya Bisakah Anda memberi tahu kami alasannya?

Recommended reads

Empowering Industry Professionals in Cebu, Philippines: Successful Hotel Sustainability Training in Collaboration with GSTC and USAID

Empowering Industry Professionals in Cebu, Philippines: Successful Hotel Sustainability Training in Collaboration with GSTC and USAID

Empowering Industry Professionals in Cebu, Ph ...

Agoda, in partnership with GSTC and USAID, successfully concluded a Hotel Sustainability Training for Industry Professionals, held in Cebu, Philippines.

Agoda, in partnership with GSTC and USAID, successfully concluded a Hotel Sustainability Training fo ...

Unlock YCS: Maximize your potential & boost efficiency

Unlock YCS: Maximize your potential & boost efficiency

Unlock YCS: Maximize your potential & bo ...

Boost your property’s efficiency through YCS: Join a walkthrough session of YCS. | Learn what Analytics and Opportunity Center have to offer. | Live Q&A session with YCS professionals.

Boost your property’s efficiency through YCS: Join a walkthrough session of YCS. | Learn what Anal ...

Successful Hotel Sustainability Training in partnership with GSTC and USAID empowers industry professionals in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Successful Hotel Sustainability Training in partnership with GSTC and USAID empowers industry professionals in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Successful Hotel Sustainability Training in p ...

Successful Hotel Sustainability Training in partnership with GSTC & USAID empowers industry professionals in Colombo, Sri Lanka    Agoda collaborated with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to organize a Hotel Sustainability Training for industry professionals on August 1 and 2, 2024. This two-day training, held […]

Successful Hotel Sustainability Training in partnership with GSTC & USAID empowers industry prof ...

Discover the latest market & travel trends

Discover the latest market & travel trends

Discover the latest market & travel tren ...

Stay in the know of market trends to stay ahead of your competition: Explore the latest market trends and traveler behaviors | Get tips on optimizing your property’s performance | Live Q&A session with industry experts

Stay in the know of market trends to stay ahead of your competition: Explore the latest market trend ...

Q3 2024 Webinars

Q3 2024 Webinars

Q3 2024 Webinars

We're excited to announce a series of exclusive livestream events designed to help you stay ahead in the market.

We're excited to announce a series of exclusive livestream events designed to help you stay ahead in ...

Agoda’s Eco Deals Survey: 4 in 5 travelers care about more sustainable travel

Agoda’s Eco Deals Survey: 4 in 5 travelers care about more sustainable travel

Agoda’s Eco Deals Survey: 4 in 5 travelers ...

Agoda’s Eco Deals Survey: 4 in 5 travelers care about more sustainable travel As travelers venture to explore new horizons, they are increasingly mindful of the potential impact of their choices. According to a survey conducted by digital travel platform Agoda, 77% of travelers care about more sustainable travel. Respondents highlighted that financial incentives, the […]

Agoda’s Eco Deals Survey: 4 in 5 travelers care about more sustainable travel As travelers venture ...

Agoda, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) collaborate for Hotel Sustainability Training in Jaipur

Agoda, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) collaborate for Hotel Sustainability Training in Jaipur

Agoda, United States Agency for International ...

Agoda, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) collaborate for Hotel Sustainability Training in Jaipur     Digital travel platform Agoda collaborated with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to organize a Hotel Sustainability Training for industry professionals from 28 […]

Agoda, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Global Sustainable Tourism Co ...

Agoda, USAID, and GSTC conducted sustainability training for Nepal’s hotel industry

Agoda, USAID, and GSTC conducted sustainability training for Nepal’s hotel industry

Agoda, USAID, and GSTC conducted sustainabili ...

Agoda, USAID, and GSTC conducted sustainability training for Nepal’s hotel industry   Digital travel platform Agoda organized a Hotel Sustainability Training for industry professionals with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) on May 30 and 31, 2024. This two-day training, held for the first time in […]

Agoda, USAID, and GSTC conducted sustainability training for Nepal’s hotel industry   Dig ...