Content reviewed and verified by Graham Chee, with FCPA-led practice at Local Knowledge, Mascot NSW. Continuous CPA Australia member since 1986. Prior career at Goldman Sachs, BNP Investment Management and Merrill Lynch.. Last reviewed October 2026. Next review scheduled for January 2027.
TL;DR
Clear guidance on GST thresholds, BAS due dates, PAYG obligations and keeping your Hurstville business lodged accurately and on time.
Key Takeaways
- The GST threshold: According to the Australian Taxation Office, most businesses must register for GST when current GST turnover or projected GST turnover reaches $75,000. The threshold is $150,000 for non-profit organisations. Taxi and ride-sourcing drivers generally need to register regardless of turnover. A business that becomes required to register generally has 21 days to do so.
- Quarterly BAS: Businesses with GST turnover below $20 million are generally placed on quarterly reporting unless the ATO requires another cycle or the business elects monthly reporting. Standard quarterly due dates are 28 October for July to September, 28 February for October to December, 28 April for January to March, and 28 July for April to June.
- Monthly BAS: Businesses with GST turnover of $20 million or more generally report monthly. Smaller businesses can elect monthly reporting if it suits their bookkeeping and cash flow. A monthly BAS is normally due on the 21st day of the following month.
- Agent concessions: Eligible businesses lodging electronically through a registered tax or BAS agent may receive later quarterly dates. For the 2025–26 financial year, the general agent dates are 25 November 2025 for quarter one, 28 February 2026 for quarter two, 26 May 2026 for quarter three and 25 August 2026 for quarter four. Eligibility conditions apply, and the date shown by the ATO for your account should always be checked. When a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, lodgement and payment can generally be made on the next business day.
- PAYG withholding: If you withhold tax from wages or certain contractor payments, those amounts must be reported and paid to the ATO. Small withholders, with annual withholding of $25,000 or less, generally pay quarterly. Medium withholders, above $25,000 and up to $1 million, generally pay monthly. Large withholders, above $1 million, have more frequent payment obligations. Payroll reporting through Single Touch Payroll does not remove the obligation to report and pay PAYG withholding.
BAS and GST Lodgement for Hurstville Businesses
Straight answers, clear due dates and no unnecessary stress
A Hurstville business generally needs to register for GST when its current or projected GST turnover reaches $75,000. Once registered, it must report GST through a Business Activity Statement, usually quarterly or monthly, and may also need to report PAYG withholding and PAYG instalments.
This guidance is written by Graham Chee, FCPA, CPA, GRCP, GRCA — a Fellow of CPA Australia since November 2005, a continuous CPA member since 1986, and principal of Local Knowledge Pty Ltd. Local Knowledge is a CPA public practice and registered tax agent based in Mascot, established in 2003.
For a cafe near Hurstville Station, a retailer on Forest Road, a sparky working across the St George area or a growing startup, BAS can become stressful when sales, expenses and payroll have not been kept up to date bookkeeping support for BAS and GST records. Our job is to take it step by step, sort the records and help you stay on top of each due date.
Sydney Bookkeeping services are provided by Local Knowledge Pty Ltd. This is a principal-led practice with FCPA sign-off on every file, professional work performed under the CPA Code of Ethics, and systematised checks designed to provide reasonable assurance that each BAS is supported by the available records.
Six BAS and GST Points to Understand
What Hurstville business owners and directors need to know
The GST threshold: According to the Australian Taxation Office, most businesses must register for GST when current GST turnover or projected GST turnover reaches $75,000. The threshold is $150,000 for non-profit organisations. Taxi and ride-sourcing drivers generally need to register regardless of turnover. A business that becomes required to register generally has 21 days to do so.
Quarterly BAS: Businesses with GST turnover below $20 million are generally placed on quarterly reporting unless the ATO requires another cycle or the business elects monthly reporting. Standard quarterly due dates are 28 October for July to September, 28 February for October to December, 28 April for January to March, and 28 July for April to June.
Monthly BAS: Businesses with GST turnover of $20 million or more generally report monthly. Smaller businesses can elect monthly reporting if it suits their bookkeeping and cash flow. A monthly BAS is normally due on the 21st day of the following month.
Agent concessions: Eligible businesses lodging electronically through a registered tax or BAS agent may receive later quarterly dates. For the 2025–26 financial year, the general agent dates are 25 November 2025 for quarter one, 28 February 2026 for quarter two, 26 May 2026 for quarter three and 25 August 2026 for quarter four. Eligibility conditions apply, and the date shown by the ATO for your account should always be checked. When a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, lodgement and payment can generally be made on the next business day.
PAYG withholding: If you withhold tax from wages or certain contractor payments, those amounts must be reported and paid to the ATO. Small withholders, with annual withholding of $25,000 or less, generally pay quarterly. Medium withholders, above $25,000 and up to $1 million, generally pay monthly. Large withholders, above $1 million, have more frequent payment obligations. Payroll reporting through Single Touch Payroll does not remove the obligation to report and pay PAYG withholding.
PAYG instalments: PAYG instalments are prepayments towards expected income tax. The ATO may place a business owner or company into the instalment system and show either an instalment amount or instalment rate on the activity statement. An instalment can sometimes be varied, but an unsupported variation may lead to interest or penalties, so current profit and tax estimates should be reviewed first.
How the BAS Cycle Works
A simple step-by-step view of the work behind each lodgement
- Keep the day-to-day records current
Sales, supplier bills, bank transactions, wages and business expenses should be entered and matched regularly. Leaving the whole quarter until the final week makes missing invoices and duplicate entries harder to find.
- Reconcile the accounts
The bank balance in the bookkeeping records should agree with the bank statement. Credit cards, payment services, loans and clearing accounts also need to be checked. For Hurstville retailers and hospitality businesses, we also compare point-of-sale takings with bank deposits and merchant settlements.
- Review GST coding
Not every payment includes GST. Wages, superannuation, most bank fees, loan principal, private expenses and transfers between accounts are common examples. Residential rent is generally input taxed, while commercial rent will often include GST when the landlord is registered.
Overseas purchases may not include Australian GST, even when the software suggests a GST code. A valid tax invoice is normally needed to support GST credits for purchases above $82.50 including GST, although the ATO allows limited exceptions.
4 STP Phase 2 payroll reporting requirements. Check payroll and PAYG withholding
Payroll reports should agree with Single Touch Payroll information and the PAYG withholding amount reported on the BAS. Fair Work requires employers to keep employee records for seven years and provide pay slips within one working day of pay day. These employment record rules sit alongside the ATO reporting requirements.
- Review the BAS before lodgement
We compare BAS figures with the profit and loss report, payroll reports, previous periods and the underlying accounts. Unusual movements are investigated rather than simply carried into the form.
- Lodge and plan the payment
Once the figures are approved, the BAS is lodged through the registered agent channel. The ATO payment date is monitored separately because lodging a form does not by itself pay the liability. If cash flow is tight, early preparation gives the owner more time to understand the amount and, where necessary, speak with the ATO about available payment options.
Company directors should also remember that an ASIC annual review is separate from a BAS. Paying an ASIC annual review fee or confirming company details does not satisfy ATO lodgement obligations.
Common BAS Errors We Fix
Small coding problems can add up over a quarter
Claiming GST where no GST was charged
This often happens with wages, super, bank charges, loan repayments, private purchases and suppliers that are not registered for GST. We review the source document and apply the correct treatment.
Reporting transfers as sales or expenses
Moving money between business accounts is not usually income or a business expense. Loan proceeds and owner contributions are also commonly misclassified.
Using the bank deposit as the GST-inclusive sale
Merchant providers may deduct fees before depositing funds. If a Hurstville cafe records only the net deposit, it can understate both sales and merchant fees. Gross takings, fees and deposits should be recorded separately.
Missing cash and point-of-sale takings
Cash sales are still sales. Retail and hospitality records should tie point-of-sale reports, cash received, delivery-platform receipts and merchant settlements back to the bookkeeping records.
Claiming the full GST on mixed-use expenses
Vehicles, mobile phones and home-based costs can have both business and private use speak with a Sydney accountant about your lodgements. Only the supported business portion should be claimed.
Mixing cash and accrual methods
GST can be reported on a cash or non-cash basis. Using one method in the accounts and another on the BAS can shift sales or purchases into the wrong period.
Failing to adjust old transactions
Bad debts, returned goods, cancelled invoices and supplier credits can require GST adjustments. Transactions changed after an earlier BAS was lodged may also need correction in a later period or through a revision.
Payroll not matching the BAS
PAYG withholding on the activity statement should be checked against payroll and Single Touch Payroll reports. Differences should be explained before lodgement, not left to build up across the year.
Recommended Steps
A practical approach to getting your BAS sorted
Check Your GST and BAS Position
Confirm your GST status, reporting frequency, accounting basis and ATO due date. If turnover is approaching $75,000, review both current and projected GST turnover rather than waiting until year-end.
Bring the Records Up to Date
Enter sales and expenses, collect missing invoices, complete payroll reports and reconcile bank accounts, credit cards, loans and payment platforms.
Review and Lodge
Check GST codes, payroll, PAYG instalments and unusual movements. After owner approval, lodge through the registered agent channel and confirm the amount and payment date.
Stay Ready for the Next Cycle
Set a simple weekly bookkeeping routine, keep digital source documents and monitor cash flow. Regular records make the next BAS easier and help identify issues before the due date.
BAS Questions Hurstville Owners Commonly Ask
Plain-English answers for local businesses
Q.Do I need GST registration as soon as sales reach $75,000?
The test looks at current or projected GST turnover, not simply the final total at year-end. If your turnover reaches or is expected to reach $75,000, you will generally need to register within 21 days. GST turnover has specific inclusions and exclusions, so ask for advice if a one-off sale or a rapid increase in work has pushed you near the threshold.
Q.Should my Hurstville business lodge monthly or quarterly?
Most businesses below $20 million GST turnover report quarterly. Monthly reporting is generally required at $20 million or more, but a smaller business may elect monthly reporting. Monthly reporting can suit a growing startup or busy retailer that wants smaller, more frequent reporting cycles, but it also means bookkeeping must be completed more often.
Q.What happens if my BAS is already overdue?
Do not ignore it because you cannot pay immediately. Bring the records up to date, lodge the outstanding statement and then address the debt separately. The ATO may apply failure-to-lodge penalties and general interest charges. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to discuss a payment arrangement with the ATO, but approval is not guaranteed.
Q.Can I claim GST without a tax invoice?
For purchases above $82.50 including GST, you generally need a valid tax invoice before claiming the GST credit. Different evidence rules can apply to smaller purchases and limited special cases. A bank statement alone may show that a payment occurred, but it may not establish that GST was charged.
Q.How long should I keep BAS, GST and payroll records?
The ATO generally requires business and GST records to be kept for five years, although some records may need to be retained longer. Fair Work requires employee records to be kept for seven years. Keep readable copies of invoices, payroll reports, bank statements, contracts and working papers that explain the figures lodged.
Keep Your Hurstville BAS Under Control
Principal-led support from a CPA public practice
A BAS should not be a last-minute scramble. With up-to-date records, correct GST coding and a clear due-date routine, you can understand the amount before it is due and make better cash-flow decisions.
Local Knowledge Pty Ltd provides Sydney Bookkeeping services through a registered tax agent and CPA public practice. Graham Chee, FCPA, leads the work, with FCPA sign-off on every file and systematised checks designed to provide reasonable assurance that the figures are accurate and supported by the records available.
Contact our team if you need help with a current BAS, overdue activity statements, GST registration, PAYG withholding or getting the day-to-day books sorted.
Authority references: Australian Taxation Office guidance on registering for GST, GST turnover, activity statement due dates, PAYG withholding cycles and PAYG instalments; Fair Work Ombudsman guidance on record-keeping and pay slips; Australian Securities and Investments Commission guidance on company annual reviews. Thresholds, concessions and due dates can change, so the date displayed in your ATO account should be confirmed for each reporting period.
About the Author
Graham Chee, FCPA, CPA, GRCP, GRCA
Principal and Founder, Local Knowledge
Graham Chee is the principal and founder of Local Knowledge, an FCPA-led Australian practice that brings institutional-grade compliance, investment-structure and intellectual-property experience directly to owner-managed businesses. Graham is a Fellow of CPA Australia (FCPA since November 2005, continuous CPA member since 1986) and holds the OCEG Governance, Risk & Compliance Professional (GRCP) and Governance, Risk & Compliance Auditor (GRCA) designations. His prior career includes senior roles at Goldman Sachs, BNP Investment Management and Merrill Lynch. Graham was previously portfolio manager of the Asian Masters Fund (IPO December 2007 – 31 December 2009), which returned +29% in AUD terms versus the MSCI Asia Pacific (ex Japan) benchmark. He signs off on 100% of client files personally.
Areas of Expertise:
Get Expert Guidance — Contact Our Team
This information is general and does not take account of your business circumstances. Due dates and reporting obligations should be confirmed with the ATO or a suitably qualified adviser.
Graham Chee FCPA, CPA, GRCP, GRCA · Principal, Local Knowledge · Mascot NSW · CPA-signed files