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 due dates, practical GST guidance and principal-led BAS support for Mascot small businesses, tradies and startups.
Key Takeaways
- The $75,000 GST threshold: A business generally must register for GST when its current or projected GST turnover reaches $75,000. The threshold is $150,000 for a non-profit organisation. Taxi and ride-sourcing drivers must register regardless of turnover. The Australian Taxation Office generally requires registration within 21 days of becoming aware that the threshold will be reached.
- Quarterly versus monthly BAS: Businesses with GST turnover below $20 million usually report quarterly unless they choose monthly reporting or the ATO directs otherwise. Businesses with GST turnover of $20 million or more must generally report monthly. Monthly reporting can also suit a smaller business that regularly receives GST refunds or wants shorter reporting cycles.
- Standard quarterly BAS due dates: The usual 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. If a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, lodgement and payment generally move to the next business day.
- Monthly BAS due dates: A monthly activity statement is generally due on the 21st day of the following month. For example, the July activity statement is normally due on 21 August. Eligible clients lodging electronically through a registered tax agent may receive different dates under the ATO lodgement program, but the date shown on the activity statement should always be checked.
- PAYG withholding and Single Touch Payroll: PAYG withholding from wages is reported through the activity statement and should reconcile with payroll and Single Touch Payroll records. Small withholders, generally withholding $25,000 or less a year, usually pay quarterly. Medium withholders, generally over $25,000 and up to $1 million, usually pay monthly. Large withholders over $1 million have more frequent payment obligations. Single Touch Payroll information is generally reported on or before payday.
BAS and GST lodgement without the stress
What Mascot business owners need to know
If your Mascot business is registered for GST, you generally need to report GST and other tax obligations through a business activity statement, usually every quarter or month. Accurate bookkeeping, regular reconciliations and a clear due-date process help keep each BAS correct, lodged on time and easier to budget for.
Sydney Bookkeeping services are delivered by Local Knowledge Pty Ltd, a CPA public practice and registered tax agent based in Mascot. Principal Advisor Graham Chee, FCPA, CPA, GRCP and GRCA, draws on Fellow CPA Australia status and prior institutional roles to provide practical guidance, with FCPA sign-off on every file.
Local Knowledge has been a principal-led practice since 2003 Single Touch Payroll (STP) Phase 2 reporting obligations. Work is completed in line with professional obligations applying to CPA practitioners, including the CPA Code of Ethics and APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. Our review process provides reasonable assurance that the information used for lodgement is complete and consistent with the records supplied.
Six BAS and GST points to understand
The thresholds, reporting cycles and due dates that matter
The $75,000 GST threshold: A business generally must register for GST when its current or projected GST turnover reaches $75,000. The threshold is $150,000 for a non-profit organisation. Taxi and ride-sourcing drivers must register regardless of turnover. The Australian Taxation Office generally requires registration within 21 days of becoming aware that the threshold will be reached.
Quarterly versus monthly BAS: Businesses with GST turnover below $20 million usually report quarterly unless they choose monthly reporting or the ATO directs otherwise. Businesses with GST turnover of $20 million or more must generally report monthly. Monthly reporting can also suit a smaller business that regularly receives GST refunds or wants shorter reporting cycles.
Standard quarterly BAS due dates: The usual 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. If a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, lodgement and payment generally move to the next business day.
Monthly BAS due dates: A monthly activity statement is generally due on the 21st day of the following month. For example, the July activity statement is normally due on 21 August. Eligible clients lodging electronically through a registered tax agent may receive different dates under the ATO lodgement program, but the date shown on the activity statement should always be checked.
PAYG withholding and Single Touch Payroll: PAYG withholding from wages is reported through the activity statement and should reconcile with payroll and Single Touch Payroll records. Small withholders, generally withholding $25,000 or less a year, usually pay quarterly. Medium withholders, generally over $25,000 and up to $1 million, usually pay monthly. Large withholders over $1 million have more frequent payment obligations. Single Touch Payroll information is generally reported on or before payday.
PAYG instalments: These are prepayments towards expected income tax, not an extra tax. The ATO advises when a business or individual enters the instalment system and whether an instalment amount or rate applies. A variation may be available when expected income changes, but it should be supported by current figures because interest may apply if an instalment is reduced too far.
How the BAS cycle works day to day
A simple process for Mascot businesses
The BAS cycle starts well before the due date. Sales, purchases, wages and bank transactions need to be entered correctly throughout the month or quarter. We then reconcile the bank accounts, credit cards, payment platforms, payroll records and key balance-sheet accounts.
For a cafe near Mascot Station, this can mean checking point-of-sale takings, delivery platform settlements, merchant fees and GST-free food sales. For a sparky working across suburban Sydney, it may involve materials, subcontractor invoices, vehicle costs and customer deposits. For a startup around the airport and O’Riordan Street business precinct, the review may include software subscriptions, investor funds and overseas purchases.
Mascot freight, logistics and airport-related businesses can face extra GST questions. Imported goods, customs charges, freight costs and GST-free exports should not all be treated in the same way. The source documents and the nature of each transaction matter.
Once the accounts are reconciled, we prepare the activity statement and compare it with the accounting file, payroll reports and prior periods dedicated Sydney accounting and compliance specialists. Unusual movements are checked before the BAS is presented for approval and lodgement. The final amount and payment date are explained in plain English so the owner can plan cash flow.
Common errors we fix include claiming GST without a valid tax invoice, claiming GST on private expenses, treating GST-free sales as taxable, coding loan transfers as income, missing cash or card sales, duplicating bank-feed transactions, using the wrong GST method, and reporting PAYG withholding that does not match payroll. We also check that GST is not claimed on wages, superannuation, most bank fees or other items that do not include GST.
Directors should also keep their wider record obligations in mind. The ATO generally requires relevant tax records to be kept for five years. Fair Work requires employee records to be kept for seven years, while the Corporations Act administered by ASIC generally requires companies to retain financial records for seven years.
Our recommended BAS process
Four steps to keep each lodgement sorted
Confirm your reporting obligations
Check GST registration, turnover, accounting basis, BAS frequency, PAYG withholding status and PAYG instalments. We also confirm the due date shown by the ATO rather than relying only on a calendar reminder.
Keep the books current
Record sales, bills, wages and business expenses regularly. Keep tax invoices and separate business and private spending wherever possible. Current records make the BAS easier to check and help you stay on top of cash flow.
Reconcile and review
Match the accounting records to bank accounts, credit cards, payroll, Single Touch Payroll reports and supporting documents. Investigate missing, duplicated or unusual transactions before preparing the BAS.
Approve, lodge and plan payment
We explain the figures, obtain approval and lodge through the registered tax agent channel. You receive the amount and due date clearly, along with practical guidance if an ATO payment arrangement may need to be discussed.
BAS questions Mascot owners ask
Straight answers for small businesses, tradies and directors
Q.Do I need to register for GST as soon as sales reach $75,000?
The test looks at current or projected GST turnover, not simply the balance in your bank account. If you expect taxable turnover to reach $75,000 over the relevant 12-month period, you generally need to register within 21 days. GST turnover excludes GST itself and may exclude items such as private sales and the sale of capital assets. strategic cash flow and financial management practices
Q.Can I lodge my BAS quarterly instead of monthly?
A business with GST turnover below $20 million will usually qualify for quarterly reporting, although the ATO can require a different cycle. Businesses at or above $20 million generally report monthly. A smaller business may choose monthly reporting, but it should first consider bookkeeping workload and cash flow.
Q.Does the BAS payment have to be made on the lodgement date?
Lodgement and payment are generally due on the same date. If the business cannot pay in full, it is usually better to lodge on time and then discuss available payment options with the ATO. A payment arrangement does not remove the underlying debt, and general interest charges may apply.
Q.Can you help if several BAS lodgements are overdue?
Yes. We first bring the books up to date, reconcile each period and identify missing records. The overdue statements can then be prepared in order and lodged with accurate figures. Where necessary, we can explain the next steps for dealing with the ATO, but outcomes and concessions depend on the ATO and the business’s circumstances.
Q.Can I claim GST on every business expense?
No. The business generally needs to be registered for GST, the purchase must relate to the business, GST must have been included, and a valid tax invoice is usually required for purchases over $82.50 including GST. Wages, superannuation, loan repayments, most bank fees and purchases from suppliers that are not registered for GST generally do not create a GST credit.
Current authority references
Where the rules come from
The figures and standard due dates in this guide are current for the 2025–26 financial year and are based on published guidance from the Australian Taxation Office.
Key references include the ATO guidance titled Registering for GST, GST turnover, How often you lodge your BAS, Due dates for lodging and paying your BAS, PAYG withholding payment summary, and PAYG instalments. Employment record obligations are covered by the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Record-keeping and pay slips guidance. Company financial record duties are set out by ASIC under Your company and the law.
Tax rules, ATO-issued dates and reporting cycles can change. Always check the due date printed on the activity statement or shown in the relevant ATO account.
Keep your next Mascot BAS under control
Clear records, clear dates and no last-minute rush
BAS lodgement is much easier when the books are kept current and the figures are checked step by step. Whether you run a local cafe, a trade business, an airport-related operation or a growing startup, a regular process helps you understand what is due and plan for it.
Local Knowledge Pty Ltd provides principal-led bookkeeping, BAS and tax services from Mascot. Contact our team for personalised guidance on your GST cycle, overdue activity statements, PAYG reporting or day-to-day bookkeeping.
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.
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Every business has different reporting obligations and circumstances. This information is general in nature and does not replace advice based on your records.
Graham Chee FCPA, CPA, GRCP, GRCA · Principal, Local Knowledge · Mascot NSW · CPA-signed files