A salon bill looks simple on the surface — haircut, facial, waxing. But underneath: which staff member did the service, what product was used, was it a package deal, and does the client have loyalty points? Salon billing software must handle all of this, not just print a receipt.
What Salon Billing Software Must Handle
- Service-Based Billing — Bill by service name, not product — "Haircut (Women) ₹300", not by weight or quantity
- GST on Services — Since 22 September 2025, salon and beauty services are taxed at 5% without input tax credit (it was 18%); software must split it into CGST 2.5% + SGST 2.5%
- Customer Loyalty Points — Clients who earn points come back; track and redeem at billing counter
- Staff-Wise Reports — Know which staff member generated how much revenue this month
- Membership & Packages — Pre-paid packages ("10 sessions for ₹5,000") need to be tracked per client
- WhatsApp Receipt — Send bill on WhatsApp — clients love the professional touch
If your salon's annual turnover exceeds ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh in special category states), GST registration is mandatory. Once registered, every service bill must show 5% GST with the CGST and SGST breakup. The 5% rate comes without input tax credit, so you cannot claim back GST paid on products and rent.
Loyalty Points — The Salon's Biggest Retention Tool
Points give a client a concrete reason to book the next visit with you rather than the parlour down the road. Keep the reward small enough to protect your margin, especially now that salon GST comes without input credit.
With Billux (Professional plan), loyalty points are automatic:
- Set earning rate: e.g., 1 point per ₹100 spent
- Set redemption rate: e.g., 1 point = ₹0.50
- Enter client's phone at billing → points balance shown automatically
- Client redeems points → discount applied to bill
Salon Starter List — Services Ready to Import
Setting up services manually for a new salon takes a couple of hours. Billux's salon starter list includes about 50 common services across categories:
- Hair Services (Men) — Haircut, Beard Trim, Head Massage, D-Tan
- Hair Services (Women) — Cut, Trim, Hair Colour, Smoothening, Rebonding
- Skin & Face — Cleanup, Facial, D-Tan, Bleach
- Waxing — Full Body, Arms, Legs, Underarms, Rica Wax
- Nail Care — Manicure, Pedicure, Nail Art, Gel Polish
Services come with SAC 9997. After importing, set your prices and confirm each service shows 5% GST before your first bill.
Billux also tracks staff commission per service and prepaid memberships and packages per client. Try Billux free for 7 days at billux.in/register — choose "Salon / Spa" and your service menu is ready in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GST rate on salon services now?
Since 22 September 2025, beauty and physical well-being services, including salons, barbers and beauty parlours, are taxed at 5% GST without input tax credit. They were 18% before the change.
Can a salon claim input tax credit after GST 2.0?
No. The 5% rate for salon services comes without input tax credit, so GST paid on products, rent and equipment cannot be set off. Account for that cost when you price your services.
When does a salon need GST registration?
A salon providing services must register once its annual turnover crosses ₹20 lakh, or ₹10 lakh in special category states. After registration, every bill must show GST with the CGST and SGST split.
How do I track stylist commission in billing software?
Assign each service on the bill to the staff member who did it. Software such as Billux then calculates commission as a percentage or a fixed amount per service and shows staff-wise revenue reports.
How do salon packages and memberships work in billing software?
The client pays upfront for a package or membership, the software records the balance, and each visit is deducted from it. Billux keeps a ledger per client so the remaining balance is always clear.
