If you’re a small business owner in Australia, you may have heard of BAS — or the Business Activity Statement — and maybe even felt a little overwhelmed by it. You’re not alone! But don’t stress — once you understand what it’s all about, lodging your BAS doesn’t have to be scary. Let’s break it down together.
What is the BAS?
The Business Activity Statement (BAS) is a form that Australian businesses must submit to the ATO (Australian Taxation Office) — usually monthly or quarterly. It’s how you report and pay your:
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- PAYG (Pay As You Go) withholding
- PAYG instalments
- Other taxes, depending on your business structure
Basically, your BAS is your way of staying compliant with your regulatory requirements from the ATO and making sure your tax obligations are up to date.
Who Needs to Lodge a BAS?
If your business is registered for GST, you’re required to lodge BAS regularly. Even if you don’t have any GST to report for a period, you still need to lodge a “nil” BAS.
How Often Do You Lodge It?
Most businesses lodge their BAS:
- Quarterly — the most common option
- Monthly — if your business has higher turnover
- Annually — this is generally only an available option if you voluntarily registered for GST and your turnover is under the GST threshold.
Your due dates will depend on your lodgement cycle, but they’re generally around the 28th of the month after the period ends (with a bit of extra time if you lodge through a BAS agent).
How Do You Lodge Your BAS?
You’ve got a few options:
- Online through the ATO Business Portal (or MyGov if you’re a sole trader)
- Directly through your accounting software (like Xero, MYOB, etc.)
- Via a registered BAS or tax agent
- By mail (old-school but still allowed!)
Common BAS Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing up income that includes GST and income that doesn’t
- Forgetting to claim GST credits on business expenses
- Leaving it to the last minute (we’ve all been there!)
- Not reconciling your accounts before lodging
The best way to avoid mistakes is to stay on top of your bookkeeping regularly — which brings us to…
Want to Feel More Confident With Your Bookkeeping?
If the BAS still feels like alphabet soup, you’re not alone — and I’ve got something that can help!
My Aussie Bookkeeping Basics course is designed for Aussie small business owners who want to take control of their books and get confident with their BAS, GST, invoicing, and more. It’s easy to follow, jargon-free, and made with love for people just like you.
Got a BAS question? Pop it in the comments or send me a message — I’m always happy to help!
