Tool

What Is This Charge? Bank Statement Lookup

Free bank statement charge identifier for Australian businesses. Look up cryptic merchant codes, check GST eligibility, and get Chart of Accounts category suggestions.

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Merchant name or code from your statement

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Common bank statement prefixes explained

If you see a prefix before the merchant name, it usually identifies the payment processor, not the merchant itself:

Prefix	Meaning	Common merchants
SQ *	Square payments	Cafes, retail, trades, services
SP *	Stripe/Shopify payments	Online stores, SaaS, subscriptions
PAYPAL *	PayPal transactions	Online purchases, freelancer payments
AMZN MKTP	Amazon Marketplace	Online retail
TST*	Toast POS	Restaurants, hospitality
GM	Taxi payment processor	13cabs, taxi services
CBA MERCH	CommBank merchant terminal	Various retail
APPLE.COM/BILL	Apple subscriptions	iCloud, Apple Music, App Store
OPENAI *	OpenAI services	ChatGPT, API usage

How to read a bank statement charge

A typical charge like OFFICEWORKS 0408 ROCKHAMPTON AU breaks down as:

OFFICEWORKS — the merchant name
0408 — the store number
ROCKHAMPTON — the location
AU — the country (Australia)

The challenge is when the merchant name itself is abbreviated or uses a payment processor prefix that obscures the real business.

GST rules for common business expenses

Not all charges include GST, and not all GST can be claimed back. Here’s a quick reference:

Category	GST Status	Can you claim input credits?
Fuel	GST included	Yes
Office supplies	GST included	Yes
Software (AU vendor)	GST included	Yes
Software (overseas vendor)	No AU GST	No (reverse charge may apply)
Taxi and rideshare	GST included	Yes
Parking and tolls	GST included	Yes
Fresh food (groceries)	GST-free	No GST to claim
Restaurants and cafes	GST included	Yes (entertainment limits may apply)
Public transport	GST-free	No GST to claim
Domestic flights	GST included	Yes
International flights	GST-free	No GST to claim
Government fees	Often GST-free	Check the invoice

Frequently asked questions

Why are bank statement charges so cryptic?

Bank statements have a character limit (usually 22-25 characters), so merchant names get truncated and abbreviated. Payment processors like Square, Stripe, and PayPal add their own prefixes. Store numbers, locations, and transaction IDs get crammed in. The result is codes like 'SQ *BLUBTTL COF SF' instead of 'Blue Bottle Coffee'.

What do common bank statement prefixes mean?

SQ * means Square payments (cafes, retail, services). SP * means Stripe/Shopify payments (online purchases). PAYPAL * means PayPal transactions. AMZN MKTP means Amazon Marketplace. TST* means Toast POS (restaurants). GM means taxi/rideshare payment processor. CBA MERCH means Commonwealth Bank merchant terminal.

How do I know if I can claim GST on a charge?

You can claim GST input credits if: the supplier is GST-registered, the purchase is for business purposes, and you have a valid tax invoice (for purchases over $82.50). Some categories are GST-free (fresh food, medical services, public transport, international flights). Use the GST status shown in our lookup results as a guide, then confirm with your accountant.

What is an MCC code?

A Merchant Category Code (MCC) is a four-digit number assigned by Visa or Mastercard to classify the type of business. It determines how the transaction is categorised for reporting, rewards, and tax purposes. For example, MCC 5411 is grocery stores, 5541 is fuel stations, and 4121 is taxis.

How does Budgetly identify merchants automatically?

Budgetly's AI Bookkeeping identifies merchants at the point of transaction, codes them to your Chart of Accounts, extracts GST, and matches receipts automatically. You never need to Google a cryptic charge or manually categorise transactions. Every transaction arrives in Xero with the merchant name, category, and GST already applied.

Methodology and data source

This tool uses merchant data derived from real Australian business transactions processed through Budgetly. MCC codes are assigned by the Visa network at the point of sale. GST status is determined by the merchant category and Australian tax rules (not all transactions in a category will have the same GST treatment). Chart of Accounts suggestions are general guidance based on common accounting practice for Australian SMEs. Always confirm categorisation with your bookkeeper or accountant for your specific circumstances.

Stop Googling charges. Budgetly identifies merchants automatically.

Every transaction arrives with the merchant name, category, GST, and receipt already matched. Your bookkeeper reviews exceptions, not every line item.

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