BAS and bookkeeping for dog groomers and pet care businesses, without the Sunday-night spreadsheet
A groomer’s statement is clippers and blades, sharpening every few weeks, shampoo by the drum, towels and laundry, a van fit-out paid off monthly, water and power for the van, a booking app subscription, insurance that covers animals in your care, and income from a mix of card payments, transfers, and platform payouts from Mad Paws or Pawshake if you also walk or sit. Add retail products at the counter and some of your sales carry GST at a different rate to your labour: all of it.
FlowFi reads the statement, sorts supplies from equipment from van costs, records platform payouts as income with the fee captured, flags GST on every line, and builds the quarterly BAS. Deposits for boarding land in the right quarter because they are dated from when the money arrived.
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
What FlowFi does for dog groomers and pet care businesses
Sorts grooming supplies, blades and equipment
Shampoo, blades, sharpening and consumables are expenses; the new dryer, table or hydrobath is flagged as equipment for write-off or depreciation.
Tracks the van and travel between clients
Mobile grooming van costs and dog-walking kilometres are categorised so your business-use percentage or cents-per-kilometre claim is ready.
Reconciles platform payouts and card takings
Mad Paws, Pawshake and card terminal payouts are recognised as income with fees captured so G1 matches what clients paid.
Deposits and invoices with reminders
Take a boarding deposit, invoice the balance, and let reminders chase the ones that forget.
Builds the BAS from your statement
Upload the quarter, review the pre-filled G1, 1A and 1B, and copy them into ATO Online.
How it works
Upload your bank statement
Export a CSV or PDF from your bank (CBA, Westpac, NAB, ANZ, Macquarie and most others) and drop it into FlowFi. No bank login, ever.
AI sorts every transaction
Income, expenses, equipment and transfers are categorised, GST is worked out on each line and likely deductions are flagged for you to confirm.
Review and lodge your BAS
Check the pre-filled labels, copy them into ATO Online in about five minutes, or export the pack for your accountant. FlowFi does not lodge for you.
Common deductions for dog groomers and pet care businesses
Expenses dog groomers and pet care businesses often claim. FlowFi flags these categories as they appear in your statement so you can confirm each one.
- Clippers, blades, dryers, tables, tubs, hydrobaths and cages, written off or depreciated
- Shampoo, conditioner, towels, brushes, consumables, blade sharpening and equipment repairs
- Mobile grooming van or trailer fit-out and running costs on the business-use portion, including water and power
- Grooming smocks, waterproof aprons, non-slip shoes and other protective clothing, and laundering
- Public liability and animal care insurance, council permits and kennel or boarding licences
- Booking software, platform fees, website and social media advertising
- Grooming, animal first aid and handling courses that maintain your skills
- Retail stock for resale, treats and supplies used in daycare or boarding
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
Email me the quarterly BAS checklist
The checklist now, then a few short notes on getting your BAS done. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Pricing
Flat monthly pricing. No percentage of your income, no lock-in, cancel any time. Every account starts with 14 days of Pro free, no card needed.
Pro
or $290 a year (two months free). 14-day free trial, no card.
- Unlimited transactions and uploads
- Unlimited invoices with automatic reminders
- Full AI categorisation and deduction flags
- BAS preparation with a copy-guide for ATO Online
- Receipt scanning, mileage and cash-flow forecast
- One-click accountant export
Business
or $590 a year (two months free). For anyone with a bookkeeper or partner in the books.
- Everything in Pro
- Unlimited bank accounts
- Up to 5 users with role-based access
- Advanced AI insights
- AI support and API access
Questions dog groomers and pet care businesses ask
Does pet food or the products I sell carry GST?
Yes. The GST-free food rules apply to food for people, not animals, so pet food, treats, shampoo and accessories you sell are taxable once you are registered, as are your grooming, walking and boarding services. Keep retail stock and services as separate income lines so your BAS and stock records stay clean.
How is Mad Paws or Pawshake income treated?
It is business income on your ABN. Report the gross amount the owner paid and claim the platform fee as an expense. These platforms report payments to the ATO under the sharing economy reporting regime, so the return needs to match.
I groom from a converted garage at home. What can I claim?
Running costs for the hours you work there, and equipment in full at its business share. If the space is set up as a salon, used almost only for business and visited by clients, it may be a place of business, which allows a share of occupancy costs but can affect the capital gains tax exemption on your home. Talk to your accountant before claiming rent or mortgage interest.
When is GST due on a boarding deposit?
If the deposit is part payment of the price, the GST is reported in the quarter you receive it on a cash basis. If the booking is cancelled and you refund it, you adjust in the quarter you refund. See our guide on deposits and progress payments.
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
Keep reading
FlowFi for related trades
Finish the books before the next pick-up
Upload one bank statement and see supplies, van costs, platform payouts, stock and GST already categorised.
Start 14-day free trial14 days of Pro free. No credit card. Then $29 a month or $290 a year.