Quarterly BAS Guide - How to Lodge
- johnry8
- Dec 17, 2025
- 3 min read
1. What is a BAS and who needs to lodge it
A Business Activity Statement or BAS is the regular report that businesses registered for GST send to the Australian Taxation Office. It tells the ATO how much GST you collected from customers, how much GST you paid on expenses and any other amounts you are required to report.
Most small businesses lodge BAS every quarter. Some lodge monthly if the ATO requires it.
If you miss a BAS deadline or make mistakes, the ATO may apply penalties and interest, so it is important to lodge and pay on time.
2. What is included in your quarterly BAS
Your BAS may include:
GST collected on sales
GST paid on business expenses
PAYG withholding for employees
PAYG tax instalments for income tax
Fuel tax credits if you are eligible
Not every business completes every section. What matters most is that your bookkeeping is up to date so the numbers you report are correct.
3. How to make BAS lodgment easier
Most of the stress around BAS comes from trying to pull everything together at the last minute. A few simple habits can make the entire process feel lighter and more manageable.
Keep your books updated
When your records are organised, your BAS becomes a quick task instead of a stressful one.
Reconcile regularly
Reconciling your bank transactions each week or fortnight helps you catch mistakes early and keeps your data clean.
Use cloud accounting software
Tools like Xero, QuickBooks and MYOB help automate GST tracking and reduce manual errors.
Know your deadlines
The ATO has set quarterly deadlines throughout the year. If you work with a registered BAS agent, you may receive extra time to lodge, which can take pressure off during busy periods.
Set aside GST throughout the quarter
Transferring your estimated GST into a separate bank account helps prevent cash flow surprises when it is time to pay your BAS.
4. How your BAS helps with cash flow
Rising GST payable
This often means your sales are growing which is a positive sign. It also means your BAS payments will increase, so planning ahead becomes important.
Regular GST refunds
This may show that your business has higher expenses during certain months or that you experience seasonal slow periods. It is a good opportunity to review spending or adjust your pricing.
Increasing PAYG instalments
If your PAYG instalments go up, it is a sign your taxable income is also rising. This helps you avoid a large tax bill at the end of the year but you may need to adjust your budget.
5. Common BAS mistakes
Many BAS problems come from small errors that build up over time. Some of the most common include:
Incorrect GST coding
Claiming GST on items that do not actually have GST
Forgetting to reconcile bank accounts
Mismatched payroll reports
Missing deadlines due to last minute preparation
6. Should you lodge yourself or work with a BAS agent
Some business owners choose to lodge BAS themselves, but it can become stressful if you are unsure of your numbers or worried about making errors.
Working with a registered BAS agent or experienced bookkeeper offers several benefits:
Your numbers are checked carefully
Coding mistakes are corrected before they create larger problems
You often receive additional time to lodge
You gain clarity and confidence in your financial data
You receive guidance on how your BAS affects your cash flow
It is a simple way to replace stress with peace of mind.
7. A simple checklist before you lodge
Before submitting your BAS, make sure:
All bank accounts are reconciled
All sales and expenses are recorded
GST coding has been reviewed
Payroll information matches your reports
You have set aside funds for your payment
You have looked at your numbers for any unusual changes
If lodging your BAS makes you feel overwhelmed each quarter, you do not need to manage it on your own. The team at Rise Accountants can prepare and lodge your BAS.
Ready to take the pressure out of lodging your BAS?