How to lodge a Business Activity Statement (BAS) in Australia: Step-by-step guide

Running a growing business in Australia means juggling a dozen priorities at once. Managing your team, growing your revenue and keeping operations running smoothly takes up most of your day. Tax administration should not be the task that slows you down.

If you’re wondering how to do your BAS without losing hours to manual data entry, you’re in the right place. With the right tools and knowledge, you can tackle your reporting confidently and streamline your business processes.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to prepare a business activity statement (BAS) report, key deadlines you need to mark in your calendar and smart ways to streamline the entire process.

What is a Business Activity Statement (BAS)?

Before diving into the lodgement process, let’s clarify exactly what it is. A BAS is a tax reporting requirement issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) that helps businesses report and pay their various tax obligations in one single transaction.

When you lodge a BAS, you’re reporting on several key tax components. The most common ones include the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Pay As You Go (PAYG) income tax instalments, PAYG withholding tax (the tax you withhold from your employees’ wages) and other taxes like fringe benefits tax (FBT) or luxury car tax.

Understanding BAS tax requirements in Australia is a critical part of running a compliant business. The ATO uses the information on your BAS to calculate your GST bill (or refund) and track your employee tax withholdings. By keeping on top of this paperwork, you support your business’s compliance with Australian tax laws.

How to lodge a BAS

You have a few different options to lodge your BAS. Choose the one that best fits your workflow:

• Online via the ATO: You can use the ATO’s Online Services for Business. This is a secure portal where you can manage all your tax obligations.
• Through your software: Many modern accounting and payroll platforms connect directly to the ATO. This allows you to lodge your BAS straight from the software you already use to run your business.
• Through a registered agent: You can partner with a registered tax agent or BAS agent. They will prepare and lodge the statement on your behalf, taking the entire task off your plate.

Important BAS dates and deadlines in Australia

Depending on your business turnover, you might need to lodge your BAS monthly, quarterly or annually. Most small to medium Australian businesses fall into the quarterly reporting cycle.

Quarterly reporting schedule

Keep these standard quarterly due dates in mind:

• Quarter 1 (July, August, September): Due 28 October
• Quarter 2 (October, November, December): Due 28 February
• Quarter 3 (January, February, March): Due 28 April
• Quarter 4 (April, May, June): Due 28 July

What happens if you miss a BAS deadline?

Falling behind on your lodgements can attract penalties. The ATO may apply a Failure to Lodge (FTL) penalty, which increases the longer the statement remains outstanding. Additionally, if you owe tax and miss the payment date, the ATO applies a General Interest Charge (GIC) to the unpaid amount.

If you realise you’re going to miss a deadline, act quickly. Contact the ATO or your registered agent to request an extension before the due date passes. The ATO is generally supportive if you communicate early and show a willingness to meet your obligations.

Paying your BAS

Lodging the statement is only half the job; you also need to settle any tax debts you owe.

How to pay your BAS

The ATO provides several convenient ways to pay your BAS bill, including:

• BPAY
• Credit or debit card
• Direct debit

What if you can’t pay on time?

Cash flow issues happen to the best businesses. If you cannot pay your BAS bill in full by the due date, do not ignore it. You should still lodge your business activity statement on time to avoid FTL penalties.

Once lodged, you can contact the ATO to set up a payment plan. A payment plan allows you to pay off your tax debt in manageable instalments over a set period. It is a practical way to keep your business moving forward while managing your financial obligations.

Tips for streamlining your BAS process

You don’t need to spend days buried in paperwork at the end of every quarter. By adopting a streamlined approach, you can make tax reporting a fast, painless process.

Automate your record-keeping

The days of storing physical receipts are over. To truly streamline your workflow, use digital tools that speak to each other. Pair an all-in-one employment platform like Employment Hero with cloud accounting software like Xero or MYOB.

When your systems integrate, data flows seamlessly from timesheets to payroll and right into your general ledger. This means your GST and PAYG withholding figures are always up-to-date and accurate. Automation cuts out manual data entry, giving you back hours of your week.

Schedule reminders and use ATO online services

Stay ahead of the curve by setting internal calendar reminders a few weeks before your BAS is due. This gives you ample time to reconcile your accounts, follow up on missing invoices and review your payroll data.

Additionally, make full use of ATO Online Services. The portal provides a clear overview of your lodgement history, upcoming deadlines and current account balance. By taking a proactive approach, you eliminate the last-minute scramble and support better compliance outcomes.

Ready to lodge your BAS with confidence?

Figuring out how to lodge business activity statement reports doesn’t have to be a frustrating process. By understanding the core components like GST and PAYG and leveraging powerful software, you can transform dreaded admin tasks into a simple, efficient workflow.

Timely lodgement, accurate record-keeping and proactive communication with the ATO are your best tools for managing compliance. Step away from the manual spreadsheets and let smart technology do the heavy lifting for you.

Disclaimer: The information in this factsheet is current as at 9 March and has been prepared by Employment Hero Pty Ltd (ABN 11 160 047 709) and its related bodies corporate (Employment Hero). The views expressed in this factsheet are general information only, are provided in good faith to assist employers and their employees and should not be relied on as professional advice. The Information is based on data supplied by third parties. While such data is believed to be accurate, it has not been independently verified and no warranties are given that it is complete, accurate, up to date or fit for the purpose for which it is required. Employment Hero does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy in such data and is not liable for any loss or damages arising either directly or indirectly as a result of reliance on, use of or inability to use any information provided in this factsheet. You should undertake your own research and to seek professional advice before making any decisions or relying on the information in this factsheet. the admin off your plate so you can focus on the human connection.