Hi mlawler
These MYOB Mods are overcomplicating the process. I'd do the following.
For MYOB Business:
Step 1) TAX CODE
Create a new Tax code under Accounting>Tax Codes and call it something along the lines of 'GST Paid on Imported Goods'. Enter the Rate as 100%. See attached as an example.
Step 2) SUPPLIER CONTACT
Create a Supplier Contact for the payments you make to government for GST and tag the GST Code "IMP" to this supplier contact as the default code. If you already have a Supplier Contact, then just update the existing details. This will ensure that you are able to see this payable on your Creditors List.
Step 3) CHART OF ACCOUNTS
Gets a little tricky from here,
a) Set up either one or two Expense Accounts in the chart of accounts.
b) Maybe put them in the Other Expense section so it doesn't appear before your Net Operating Income Total.
c) If one account, call it GST Paid on Imported Goods and set the default rate to 'IMP'.
d) If two accounts, call them GST Paid on Imported Goods (IMP) and GST Paid on Imported Goods (N-T) with "IMP" and "N-T" as the respective tax codes.
Step 4) ENTRY
When entering the GST due to the Govt as a Bill, you need to enter it as two lines and set the purchase as 'Exclusive of GST'.
Say the amount is $100, the entry will be:
Line 1 GST Paid on Imported Goods (IMP) $100 IMP
Line 2 GST Paid on Imported Goods (N-T) -$100 N-T
See attached for an example
(NB: I just used my Rounding account as I didn't want to create new expense accounts.)
So you will have a nil effect on your expenditure, but will have created a Creditor Balance Payable along with the full allocation to GST Paid (Tax Credit). If you go with one account, then nothing will appear on your PnL. If you go with two, then there will be a plus & minus figure on your PnL. Maybe put it under a Header Account with a subtotal so you know that the net balance is zero.
Check with your accountant on when this transaction should be dated if you report GST on an Accrual Basis. It may be payable on arrival, but I would suggest that the GST may be effectively accrued when the goods are ordered.
Hope this helps.
Cheers