Surcharges & GST
CliqMenu lets you apply surcharges to cover payment processing costs, and handles GST calculations automatically for registered businesses. This page explains how both work.
Surcharges
Surcharges are percentage-based fees applied to the order subtotal. They are configured at the business level, meaning the same surcharge rates apply across all your locations.
Surcharge Rates by Payment Method
| Payment Method | Surcharge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash at Counter | Always 0% | No surcharge is ever applied to cash payments. |
| Card at Counter | Configurable | Set your own percentage (e.g., 2.5%) to cover EFTPOS fees. |
| Online | Configurable | Set your own percentage (e.g., 3%) to cover Stripe processing fees. |
How Surcharges Are Calculated
The surcharge is applied to the order subtotal (the total price of all items before surcharge and GST adjustments).
Example:
- Order subtotal: $100.00
- Card at Counter surcharge: 2.5%
- Surcharge amount: $100.00 x 2.5% = $2.50
- Order total: $102.50
Set your surcharge percentages to match (or come close to) the fees your payment provider charges you. This way, you pass the processing cost through to the customer without absorbing it yourself.
When Surcharges Recalculate
If the Order Manager changes the payment method on an order (for example, switching from "Cash" to "Card at Counter"), the surcharge is recalculated from scratch using the new payment method's rate. The previous surcharge is removed entirely and replaced with the correct one.
This also means:
- Switching to Cash removes the surcharge completely.
- Switching from Cash to Card or Online adds the appropriate surcharge.
Surcharges are always calculated on the original subtotal, not on a previously surcharged amount. There is no "surcharge on a surcharge."
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
CliqMenu uses inclusive GST, which means the GST is built into the final price shown to the customer. It is not added on top.
When GST Applies
GST calculations only apply if your business is GST-registered. If you are not registered for GST, no GST is calculated or shown.
GST Rates
| Country | GST Rate |
|---|---|
| Australia | 10% |
| New Zealand | 15% |
The correct rate is applied automatically based on your business's registered country.
How GST Is Calculated
GST is calculated on the final order total (subtotal + surcharge). Since it is inclusive, the GST amount is extracted from the total rather than added to it.
Example (New Zealand, 15% GST):
- Order subtotal: $100.00
- Online surcharge (3%): $3.00
- Order total: $103.00
- GST (inclusive): $103.00 x 15/115 = $13.43
The customer pays $103.00. Of that amount, $13.43 is GST.
GST is recalculated automatically whenever the surcharge or a discount changes. You never need to calculate it manually.
Where GST Appears
- On customer receipts — the GST amount is shown as a line item.
- In BMS Reports — GST is broken out so you can see exactly how much GST you have collected across all orders.