What Is BAS Lodgement — and Why Does It Matter?
A Business Activity Statement (BAS) is the form you submit to the ATO each quarter to report your GST collected, GST paid, PAYG withholding on employee wages, and other tax obligations. For most small businesses, getting this wrong — or late — has real financial consequences.
Late lodgement penalties
The ATO charges $330 per 28-day period your BAS is overdue, up to $1,650. That's money straight out of your pocket for an entirely preventable problem.
GST coding errors
Incorrectly coded transactions mean you either overpay GST (money left on the table) or underpay it (triggering ATO audits and back-payments with interest).
Legal lodgement requirement
If anyone other than you is lodging your BAS, they must be a registered BAS agent under Australian law. Using an unregistered person exposes both of you to penalties.
What's Included in Our BAS Lodgement Service
- Full transaction review — every transaction checked for correct GST coding before lodgement
- BAS preparation — GST, PAYG withholding, PAYG instalments, and fuel tax credits where applicable
- ATO lodgement — submitted directly to the ATO via our registered agent portal
- Lodgement confirmation — you receive confirmation once lodged with the amount payable or refundable
- Agent extension benefit — registered BAS agents receive an additional 4-week extension on quarterly deadlines
- ATO correspondence — we handle any follow-up queries from the ATO on your behalf
BAS Lodgement Deadlines 2025
| Quarter | Period | Standard Due Date | Agent Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Jul – Sep | 28 October | 25 November |
| Q2 | Oct – Dec | 28 February | 25 March |
| Q3 | Jan – Mar | 28 April | 26 May |
| Q4 | Apr – Jun | 28 July | 25 August |
Agent extension dates are approximate and subject to ATO confirmation each year.
Frequently Asked Questions — BAS Lodgement
What is a BAS and when does it need to be lodged?
A Business Activity Statement reports your GST, PAYG withholding, and other obligations to the ATO. Most small businesses lodge quarterly. Deadlines: Q1 due 28 Oct, Q2 due 28 Feb, Q3 due 28 Apr, Q4 due 28 Jul. Registered BAS agents receive a 4-week extension on all quarterly deadlines.
Do I need a registered BAS agent?
If someone other than you is preparing and lodging your BAS, yes — they must be a registered BAS agent under Australian law. Using an unregistered person is illegal. True Tally is a registered BAS agent with the Tax Practitioners Board.
What happens if I lodge my BAS late?
The ATO charges $330 for every 28-day period your BAS is overdue, up to $1,650. They may also issue a default assessment estimating your liability — often higher than actual. A registered BAS agent ensures this never happens.
What is the difference between a BAS agent and a tax agent?
A BAS agent handles GST and BAS obligations. A tax agent does this plus income tax returns. For BAS lodgement purposes, a registered BAS agent is sufficient and more cost-effective than a tax agent for this specific service.
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