Overview
Set your taxes, the ways guests pay, and the companies you bill, before you set your prices.
The Finance phase has three sections. Taxes and Payment methods are required. Companies is optional. You can fill them in any order once Basics is done.
| Section | Required? | Opens when | You enter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | ✅ | Basics is done | The taxes you charge, and which of them apply to rooms |
| Payment methods | ✅ | Basics is done | The ways guests pay you |
| Companies | ❌ | Basics is done | Companies that you bill later, with a credit limit and payment terms |
If a section is not open yet, it shows as a preview. A message at the top says "Preview. Finish Basics first to fill this in." Select Go to Basics → to open the section you need first.
Which sections do I need?
| You are | Taxes | Payment methods | Companies |
|---|---|---|---|
| A small hotel that charges SST and tourism tax | Turn on the taxes you charge | Check the list | Skip |
| A homestay that charges no tax | Tick We don't charge tax | Check the list | Skip |
| A hotel that bills travel agents or companies | Turn on the taxes you charge | Check the list | Add your companies |
You do not have to fill in the Finance phase in the order of the list. But the Basic rate in the Prices phase needs Taxes to be done first.
When is a section done?
| Section | Done when |
|---|---|
| Taxes | At least one tax is turned on, or you tick We don't charge tax. |
| Payment methods | At least one of Cash, Card, Bank transfer or E-wallet is turned on. |
| Companies | You have saved at least one company, or you skip it. |
Payment methods shows as done before you open it, because Estatell turns on Cash, Card, Bank transfer and E-wallet for you. Select Next to visit it, check the list, and turn off what you do not use.
How Companies and Payment methods work together
Companies and Payment methods share one setting: City ledger. City ledger is the payment method for a stay that a company pays later.
- In Payment methods, City ledger is turned off at the start. You cannot turn it on there.
- In Companies, you save a company with Direct bill ticked.
- Estatell turns on City ledger for you. You see "Companies saved. City ledger turned on in Payment methods."
If you do not bill any company, you leave Companies empty. City ledger stays off.
What you do later in Settings
The Finance phase asks only for what you need to go live. After you go live, you can change more in Settings:
- The tax short codes, and the charges for no-shows and cancellations.
- Card fees, and the order of the payment methods.
- Special rates for a company, under Rate plans.
Special cases
| Situation | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| You open Taxes before Basics is done | The section shows as a preview and you cannot save. | Select Go to Basics →, finish Basics, then come back. |
| You turn off every tax and do not tick We don't charge tax | Taxes is not done. | Turn on a tax, or tick We don't charge tax. |
| You turn off every payment method | Estatell shows "Keep at least one payment method on." | Leave one of Cash, Card, Bank transfer or E-wallet on. |
| You skip Companies | Companies counts as done. | You can add companies in Settings after go-live. |
| You use a phone | Each row becomes a card. | Scroll down to see each field. |