Understanding Your BAS Obligations: Deadlines and Compliance

If you’re a business registered for GST in Australia, chances are you’re already familiar with the Business Activity Statement (BAS). But let’s be honest — for many business owners, BAS deadlines and compliance can feel confusing and stressful.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll break down BAS in simple terms so you can stay compliant and avoid penalties.

What is a BAS?

A Business Activity Statement (BAS) is a form submitted to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). It reports your business’s tax obligations, including:

• Goods and Services Tax (GST)

• Pay As You Go (PAYG) Withholding

• PAYG Instalments

• Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) Instalments

• Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) or Luxury Car Tax (if applicable)

  
  

Essentially, it’s how your business tells the ATO how much tax you’ve collected and how much you owe.

Who Needs to Lodge a BAS?

You must lodge a BAS if your business is:

• Registered for GST

• Has employees (for PAYG withholding)

• Required to pay other business-related taxes

  
  

When is BAS Due?

BAS deadlines depend on how often your business lodges:

1. Monthly Lodgers → BAS is due on the 21st of the following month(e.g. July BAS is due August 21)

2. Quarterly Lodgers → BAS is due on the 28th of the month after each quarter

   • Q1 (July–Sept) → Oct 28

   • Q2 (Oct–Dec) → Feb 28

   • Q3 (Jan–Mar) → Apr 28

   • Q4 (Apr–Jun) → Jul 28

3. Annually → If your turnover is under the threshold and ATO allows it, you lodge once a year.

💡 Tip: If you use a registered BAS or tax agent, you may get extended deadlines.

What Happens If You Missed the Deadline?

The ATO can apply:

• Failure to Lodge (FTL) penalties → fines that increase the longer it’s late

• Interest charges on overdue amounts

• Increased scrutiny on your tax records

In short: missing BAS lodgement = extra stress + unnecessary costs.

How to Stay Compliant with BAS

✅ Keep accurate records → Track income, expenses, and GST properly.

✅ Use bookkeeping software → Xero, MYOB, or QuickBooks can automatically calculate GST and generate BAS reports.

✅ Set reminders → Mark BAS deadlines on your calendar (or let your bookkeeper handle it).

✅ Work with a BAS Agent → A registered bookkeeper can prepare and lodge BAS on your behalf, ensuring accuracy.

Your BAS obligations don’t have to be complicated. With the right system (and the right support), you can stay on top of deadlines, remain compliant, and avoid unnecessary fines.

At Bookkeeping Online, we help small businesses stay BAS-ready all year round — so tax time is smooth, not stressful.

📩 Contact us today to get BAS support you can rely on.