BAS Lodgement Guide for Australian Small Businesses (2026)

Quick answer: A Business Activity Statement (BAS) reports GST, PAYG withholding, and PAYG instalments to the ATO, generally lodged quarterly for most small businesses. Late lodgement can trigger penalties, so the biggest practical risk is missing the deadline rather than the calculation itself.

What's reported on a BAS

• GST collected on sales and GST paid on purchases
• PAYG withholding for employees
• PAYG instalments toward income tax
• Fringe benefits tax instalments, if applicable
• Luxury car tax and wine equalisation tax, for businesses in those categories

Before you lodge, confirm you have

• All sales invoices reconciled against bank deposits for the period
• Purchase records with valid ABNs on supplier invoices
• Payroll figures finalized for the same period
• Any GST-free or input-taxed sales correctly categorized, not lumped in with standard sales

This is general guidance, not tax advice specific to your business — always confirm current thresholds, rates, and deadlines with the ATO or a registered BAS agent before lodging.