BAS (Business Activity Statement) in Australia – What It Is, Who Needs It & How to Lodge

A Business Activity Statement (BAS) is a form submitted to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) that reports a business’s tax obligations. It typically includes GST, PAYG withholding, PAYG instalments, and other taxes.

If you’re registered for GST, have employees, or make PAYG instalments, you must lodge a BAS. At Ozobooks, we ensure your BAS is prepared accurately and lodged on time to avoid penalties and interest.

Who Needs to Lodge a BAS?

You must lodge a BAS if your business is registered for any of the following:

• Goods and Services Tax (GST)
  
• PAYG Withholding (you employ staff)
  
• PAYG Instalments (ATO has placed you on instalments)
  

What Information Goes Into a BAS?

• Total sales and income
  
• GST collected and GST paid
  
• PAYG tax withheld from employees
  
• PAYG instalments for business or investment income
  
• Any fuel tax credits or FBT instalments (if applicable)
  

BAS Reporting Frequency

Business Type	Lodgement Frequency
Small businesses	Quarterly
Larger businesses	Monthly
Some micro-businesses	Annually (optional)

The ATO assigns your frequency based on turnover and registration details.

BAS Due Dates (2025)

• Quarterly BAS: Due 28 days after quarter ends (e.g., Q1 due 28 April)
  
• Monthly BAS: Due 21st of the following month
  
• Extensions may apply if lodging via a tax or BAS agent
  

How Ozobooks Helps

• Sets up ATO portal and BAS registration
  
• Calculates GST, PAYG and other obligations
  
• Prepares and reviews each BAS for accuracy
  
• Lodges directly with the ATO
  
• Sends deadline alerts and reminders
  

FAQ:

Q1: What happens if I don’t lodge my BAS on time?
You may face penalties, interest charges, and lose ATO compliance status.

Q2: Can I lodge BAS myself?
Yes, but most businesses prefer agents due to accuracy and time savings.

Q3: What if I made no income during the period?
You still need to lodge a nil BAS to stay compliant.

Q4: Do I need to keep BAS records?
Yes. Keep all BAS-related records for at least 5 years.