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 BAS due dates, GST thresholds and practical support from a principal-led CPA public practice and registered tax agent.
Key Takeaways
- The GST threshold: Under Australian Taxation Office rules, a business generally needs GST registration when its current or projected GST turnover is $75,000 or more over a 12-month period. The threshold is $150,000 for a non-profit organisation. Taxi and ride-sourcing drivers have separate rules and generally need GST registration regardless of turnover. GST turnover is not always the same as accounting income because input-taxed sales, private sales and some other amounts are excluded.
- Quarterly BAS lodgement: Businesses with GST turnover below $20 million generally report GST quarterly unless the ATO requires a different cycle. The 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 lodgement: Businesses with GST turnover of $20 million or more generally report monthly. A monthly activity statement is normally due on the 21st day of the following month. The ATO may also place a smaller business on monthly reporting because of its compliance history or other circumstances.
- Registered tax agent dates: Eligible businesses lodging through a registered tax agent may receive later quarterly dates under the ATO lodgement program. Common agent concession dates are 25 November for quarter one, 28 February for quarter two, 26 May for quarter three and 25 August for quarter four. Eligibility is not automatic in every case, so we confirm the date shown on the ATO record rather than assuming an extension applies.
- PAYG withholding: If you pay wages, director fees or certain contractor payments, the BAS may include total salary and wage payments at W1 and tax withheld at W2. PAYG withholding is separate from GST. Payroll reports, Single Touch Payroll records, the general ledger and payments to the ATO should agree before lodgement.
BAS and GST Lodgement Without the Stress
A clear answer for North Sydney business owners
North Sydney businesses generally need GST registration once GST turnover reaches, or is expected to reach, $75,000 in a 12-month period. Most businesses with turnover below $20 million lodge a Business Activity Statement quarterly, while businesses with turnover of $20 million or more generally lodge monthly.
Sydney Bookkeeping helps owners stay on top of sales, GST, wages, PAYG and due dates step by step. The work is provided by Local Knowledge Pty Ltd, a CPA public practice and registered tax agent established in 2003, with Principal Advisor Graham Chee, FCPA, CPA, GRCP and GRCA providing FCPA review and sign-off on every file.
Graham is a Fellow of CPA Australia and leads the practice under the CPA Code of Ethics. This principal-led approach gives reasonable assurance that the figures have been checked against the available records before lodgement North Sydney bookkeeping and BAS support. It does not remove the director's responsibility to provide complete and correct information.
This matters in North Sydney, where cash flow can move quickly. A café near Victoria Cross may collect GST every day, a sparky working across Lower North Shore apartments may have materials and subcontractor costs, and a startup near Miller Street may add staff during the quarter. If the books are left until the BAS deadline, it becomes harder to find missing invoices, incorrect GST codes and payroll differences.
Six BAS and GST Points to Understand
The thresholds, cycles and due dates that matter
The GST threshold: Under Australian Taxation Office rules, a business generally needs GST registration when its current or projected GST turnover is $75,000 or more over a 12-month period. The threshold is $150,000 for a non-profit organisation. Taxi and ride-sourcing drivers have separate rules and generally need GST registration regardless of turnover. GST turnover is not always the same as accounting income because input-taxed sales, private sales and some other amounts are excluded.
Quarterly BAS lodgement: Businesses with GST turnover below $20 million generally report GST quarterly unless the ATO requires a different cycle. The 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 lodgement: Businesses with GST turnover of $20 million or more generally report monthly. A monthly activity statement is normally due on the 21st day of the following month. The ATO may also place a smaller business on monthly reporting because of its compliance history or other circumstances.
Registered tax agent dates: Eligible businesses lodging through a registered tax agent may receive later quarterly dates under the ATO lodgement program. Common agent concession dates are 25 November for quarter one, 28 February for quarter two, 26 May for quarter three and 25 August for quarter four. Eligibility is not automatic in every case, so we confirm the date shown on the ATO record rather than assuming an extension applies.
PAYG withholding: If you pay wages, director fees or certain contractor payments, the BAS may include total salary and wage payments at W1 and tax withheld at W2. PAYG withholding is separate from GST. Payroll reports, Single Touch Payroll records, the general ledger and payments to the ATO should agree before lodgement.
PAYG instalments: The ATO may place a business owner or company into the PAYG instalment system based on the latest tax return. The BAS may show an ATO-calculated instalment amount or an instalment rate applied to income. A variation must be reasonable and supported by current figures because penalties and interest may apply if an instalment is varied too far below the final tax position.
How the BAS Cycle Works Day to Day
From bookkeeping to lodgement and payment
A BAS is more than a total taken from the bank balance. It brings together sales, expenses, GST, payroll and PAYG obligations for the reporting period.
First, we bring the books up to date. Bank accounts, business credit cards, payment services and loan accounts are reconciled. We then check sales invoices, supplier bills, payroll journals and major purchases.
Next, we review the BAS labels. G1 normally reports total sales, 1A reports GST payable on taxable sales, and 1B reports eligible GST credits. W1 and W2 cover wages and PAYG withholding. PAYG instalments are generally shown at the T labels.
The GST basis also matters. Under the cash basis, GST is generally reported when payment is received or made. Under the non-cash basis, often called accruals, GST is generally reported when an invoice is issued or received. Using a cash report for a business on the non-cash basis can shift transactions into the wrong period.
Consider a North Sydney sparky who invoices $22,000 including GST on 29 September but receives payment in October registered tax agents serving North Sydney businesses. On the cash basis, the sale will generally fall into the October to December quarter. On the non-cash basis, it will generally fall into the July to September quarter.
For a local café, the main checks may include point-of-sale takings, delivery platform income, merchant fees, cash sales and staff wages. For a growing startup, we may need to review software purchased from overseas, investor funding, employee reimbursements and whether contractor payments have been treated correctly.
We also keep payroll obligations separate and clear. Fair Work Ombudsman rules require employers to issue pay slips and keep employee records for seven years. Super guarantee is 12% for salary and wages paid on or after 1 July 2025, subject to the applicable super rules, and quarterly super is generally due by 28 October, 28 January, 28 April and 28 July. Super due dates are not the same as every BAS due date.
Directors should also remember that using a bookkeeper or tax agent does not transfer their legal responsibilities. ASIC explains that company directors must act with care and diligence and keep adequate financial records. Clean, current books help directors understand cash flow and respond before an overdue BAS or tax debt becomes a larger problem.
Common BAS Errors We Fix
Small coding mistakes can change the amount reported
Claiming GST on expenses that do not include GST, such as bank fees, loan repayments, wages, super contributions and many government charges.
Claiming the full GST credit on a vehicle, phone, internet service or other purchase that is partly private.
Treating transfers between bank accounts, owner contributions or loan deposits as taxable sales.
Reporting GST on the wrong basis or in the wrong quarter because the invoice date and payment date were confused.
Missing sales from payment platforms, online stores, delivery services or a second bank account.
Claiming GST credits without a valid tax invoice where one is required, or claiming GST on a supplier that is not GST-registered.
Coding overseas software and imported services as ordinary Australian purchases without checking the GST treatment.
Reporting W1 and W2 figures that do not agree with payroll, Single Touch Payroll reports or the general ledger.
Forgetting asset purchases, asset sales, trade-ins, finance arrangements, insurance settlements or bad-debt adjustments.
Assuming a tax agent extension applies without checking the ATO due date for the business.
Our Four-Step BAS Process
A simple, systematised way to stay lodged on time
Confirm the BAS Cycle
We check the business's GST basis, reporting frequency, ATO due date, PAYG obligations and any overdue periods. We also confirm who has access to the bank records, payroll reports and source documents.
Reconcile the Records
We reconcile bank accounts, cards, loans, sales systems and payroll. Missing transactions, duplicate entries and unusual balances are listed clearly so they can be sorted before lodgement.
Review and Approve
We review GST codes and compare the BAS with sales, payroll and the general ledger. Graham Chee provides FCPA sign-off on every file. The owner or director receives the figures for approval before lodgement.
Lodge and Plan the Payment
Once approved, Local Knowledge Pty Ltd lodges through the registered tax agent channel. We confirm the amount and payment date, then set the next bookkeeping cut-off so the following BAS does not become a last-minute job.
BAS Questions North Sydney Owners Ask
Practical answers in plain English
Q.My turnover has just passed $75,000. What should I do?
Check both current and projected GST turnover rather than relying only on last year's sales. If the business meets the ATO test, GST registration is generally required within 21 days. We can check the effective date, review invoices issued around that date and explain whether prices need to be updated. broader North Sydney tax planning strategies
Q.Do I report quarterly or monthly?
Most businesses with GST turnover below $20 million report quarterly. Businesses at or above $20 million generally report monthly, and the ATO can require monthly reporting in other cases. Check the reporting cycle shown on the activity statement or ATO record.
Q.What if I cannot pay the BAS by the due date?
Lodge on time even if payment is difficult. Late lodgement can add failure-to-lodge penalties to the existing debt. The ATO may consider a payment plan based on the circumstances, but interest may continue to apply and approval is not guaranteed. Early action gives you more options.
Q.Can I claim GST on a vehicle or work ute?
It depends on the purchase documents, GST status of the seller, finance arrangement and business-use percentage. Private use must be considered. A purchase from a private seller will not usually include a GST credit, even if the vehicle is used for work.
Q.Can an old BAS be corrected?
Often, yes. Depending on the type, age and value of the error, it may be corrected on a later BAS or through a revision of the original statement. We first trace the transaction and follow the ATO correction rules rather than simply changing the next quarter.
Keep Your Next North Sydney BAS Sorted
Know the figures before the deadline arrives
The easiest way to manage BAS is to keep the books current throughout the quarter. Reconcile accounts regularly, keep tax invoices, review payroll and put GST and PAYG amounts aside for the due date.
Sydney Bookkeeping is the local service voice of Local Knowledge Pty Ltd, not a separate business. Local Knowledge is a principal-led CPA public practice and registered tax agent based in Mascot and established in 2003. Graham Chee, FCPA, CPA, GRCP and GRCA, oversees the work under professional and ethical standards.
For tailored guidance, contact our team before your next BAS deadline. We can review your reporting cycle, identify missing records, explain the amount due and help you put a practical process in place for future periods.
Authority references: Australian Taxation Office guidance on GST turnover, activity statement cycles, PAYG withholding, PAYG instalments and lodgement dates; Fair Work Ombudsman guidance on pay slips and employee records; Australian Securities and Investments Commission guidance on director duties and company financial records. Dates and thresholds should always be checked against the business's current ATO record because concessions and individual circumstances can change.
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 situation is different. This information is general and does not replace advice based on your records, GST basis, reporting cycle and ATO account.
Graham Chee FCPA, CPA, GRCP, GRCA · Principal, Local Knowledge · Mascot NSW · CPA-signed files