When you’re running a business in Australia, one of the most important things to stay on top of is your Business Activity Statement (BAS). It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget about lodgement dates, but trust me — ignoring your BAS due dates can lead to headaches, fines, and unnecessary stress.
Let’s break it down together, using simple, easy-to-understand words. And don’t worry — I’ll guide you step-by-step, just like a friend would.
What is a BAS?
First things first, a Business Activity Statement (BAS) is a form that businesses use to report and pay their GST, PAYG withholding, PAYG instalments, and other taxes to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
If you’re registered for GST, you must lodge a BAS regularly. Think of it as your business’s way of “checking in” with the ATO.
Why Knowing BAS Due Dates is So Important
Imagine planning a relaxing weekend away, only to find out you’ve missed a BAS deadline and now owe a fine. Not fun, right?
Missing BAS due dates can cause:
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Penalties and interest charges
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Cash flow issues
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Unnecessary stress dealing with the ATO
On the other hand, lodging on time keeps your business records clean, your cash flow predictable, and your peace of mind intact.
How Often Do You Need to Lodge Your BAS?
The frequency depends on your business size:
| Business Size | Lodgement Frequency |
|---|---|
| Annual GST turnover > $20 million | Monthly |
| Annual GST turnover < $20 million | Quarterly (usually) |
| Voluntary registration | Annually |
Most small businesses lodge their BAS quarterly. But it’s important to double-check with your accountant.
Speaking of accountants, if you want someone to handle your BAS lodgements (and save you a lot of headaches), Perfect Accounting can help. They make BAS lodgement easy, simple, and stress-free!
BAS Due Dates for 2025 (and Beyond)
Here’s a simple cheat sheet:
| Reporting Period | Normal Due Date | With BAS Agent Extension |
|---|---|---|
| July – September | 28 October | 25 November |
| October – December | 28 February | 28 February |
| January – March | 28 April | 26 May |
| April – June | 28 July | 25 August |
Tip: If you’re using a registered BAS agent like Perfect Accounting, you usually get extra time to lodge.
Step-by-Step: How to Stay On Top of Your BAS Lodgements
Here’s a quick and friendly guide:
1. Know Your Lodgement Dates
Mark your BAS due dates on your calendar, set reminders on your phone, or stick a post-it on your fridge — whatever works best for you.
2. Organise Your Records
Keep track of your sales, expenses, and GST credits throughout the quarter. Good bookkeeping = easier BAS.
A client once told me they kept all their receipts in a shoebox — until tax time hit. Trust me, digital recordkeeping saves you from last-minute chaos!
3. Calculate Your GST
Figure out how much GST you collected and how much you can claim back.
You can do it manually, but accounting software (or a good accountant like Perfect Accounting) makes it way easier.
4. Lodge and Pay
You can lodge your BAS through:
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Your tax/BAS agent
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Accounting software
Don’t forget to pay any amounts you owe by the due date!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some pitfalls that many businesses fall into:
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Forgetting to lodge when there’s no GST to report (you still must lodge a “nil” BAS)
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Guessing GST amounts instead of calculating properly
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Missing the BAS due dates — even accidentally
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember: experts like Perfect Accounting can lodge on your behalf, making sure everything is accurate and on time.
Why Choose Perfect Accounting for Your BAS?
You could spend hours worrying about your BAS, or you could let the pros handle it while you focus on running your business.
Perfect Accounting offers:
✅ Fast, accurate BAS preparation
✅ Lodgement extensions
✅ Expert advice on GST and cash flow
✅ Friendly, human support — no jargon, no stress
One of their clients shared, “I used to dread BAS time. Now, I don’t even think about it — Perfect Accounting has it sorted!”
When you partner with Perfect Accounting, you’re choosing confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Staying on top of your BAS due dates doesn’t have to be scary. With a little planning — and the right help — you can master it easily.
Instead of worrying about lodgement penalties or missing deadlines, why not leave it to the experts? Perfect Accounting will make sure your BAS is done properly, on time, every time.
Ready to stress less and focus more on growing your business? Contact Perfect Accounting today!
