For many small business owners in Perth, the term "BAS" triggers a mix of confusion and mild dread. It doesn't have to. A Business Activity Statement is actually a straightforward document once you understand what it's asking — and getting it right protects you from some of the ATO's most common penalties.
This guide covers everything Perth business owners need to know about BAS lodgement in plain English.
What Is a BAS?
A Business Activity Statement (BAS) is a form you submit to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to report and pay several types of tax obligations in one go. It's submitted regularly — usually quarterly — and covers:
- GST (Goods and Services Tax) — the 10% tax collected on most sales, minus the GST you've paid on business purchases (input tax credits)
- PAYG withholding — the tax you withhold from employee wages and send to the ATO
- PAYG instalments — prepayments of your own income tax if required by the ATO
- Fuel tax credits — if applicable to your business
- Wine equalisation tax and luxury car tax — if relevant to your industry
For most small businesses, the BAS is primarily about reporting GST — what you've collected from clients and what you've paid on business expenses.
Who Needs to Lodge a BAS?
You must lodge a BAS if your business is registered for GST. GST registration is compulsory if your annual turnover is $75,000 or more (or $150,000 for non-profit organisations). Below that threshold, registration is optional.
Important: The $75,000 threshold applies to your gross turnover — the total amount you invoice, before expenses. If you're approaching this threshold, register for GST before you cross it, not after. Late registration can result in the ATO retrospectively assessing GST on your past sales.
Even if your turnover is under $75,000, you may still need to lodge a BAS if you have employees (for PAYG withholding) or if you've voluntarily registered for GST.
How Often Do I Need to Lodge a BAS?
Most businesses lodge quarterly, but there are three lodgement frequencies:
- Quarterly — the most common option for businesses with GST turnover under $20 million
- Monthly — required if your annual GST turnover is $20 million or more, or if you voluntarily elect monthly reporting
- Annually — available if you voluntarily registered for GST and your turnover is under $75,000
BAS Due Dates for 2025–2026
For businesses lodging quarterly, here are the standard due dates:
| Quarter | Period Covered | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 1 July – 30 September | 28 October |
| Q2 | 1 October – 31 December | 28 February |
| Q3 | 1 January – 31 March | 28 April |
| Q4 | 1 April – 30 June | 28 July |
Important: If you use a registered BAS agent like Reacco, you may be eligible for extended lodgement deadlines — meaning you get extra time beyond these standard dates. This is one of the practical benefits of engaging a registered agent.
What Happens If I Miss the BAS Deadline?
Missing a BAS lodgement deadline triggers a Failure to Lodge (FTL) penalty. These penalties are calculated based on how late you are and the size of your business:
- Penalty units are issued for each 28-day period the BAS is overdue
- For small businesses, each penalty unit is currently $330
- Penalties cap at 5 units (5 x $330 = $1,650) per outstanding BAS for small entities
- Interest also accrues on any GST owing from the due date
The good news is that if this has happened to you, a registered BAS agent can often negotiate with the ATO to reduce or waive penalties — particularly if it's a first offence and you engage proactively.
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How Do I Prepare a BAS?
To prepare an accurate BAS you need:
- A record of all sales made during the period (your GST collected)
- A record of all business purchases with GST (your input tax credits)
- Payroll records if you have employees (PAYG withholding amounts)
- Any relevant fuel tax credit calculations
If you use Xero or another cloud accounting platform, most of this information is captured automatically throughout the quarter, making BAS preparation much faster. Reacco offers Xero setup and training to get your records clean from day one.
Tip: Reconcile your bank accounts in Xero monthly — not just at BAS time. This makes the quarterly BAS a quick review rather than a mad scramble through receipts.
Should I Lodge My Own BAS or Use an Agent?
You can lodge your own BAS through the ATO's Business Portal or via Xero. However, many Perth business owners choose to use a registered BAS agent for good reasons:
- Extended deadlines — registered agents get more time to lodge
- Accuracy — a professional ensures you're claiming all eligible input tax credits and not making common GST errors
- ATO representation — if the ATO has queries, your agent handles the communication
- Peace of mind — quarterly deadlines never sneak up on you
Want Someone Else to Handle Your BAS?
If you'd rather spend that time running your business, Reacco can take BAS completely off your plate. As ATO Registered BAS Agents, we prepare, review, and lodge your BAS — and you won't get a bill you weren't expecting. Book a free 20-minute call and we'll give you a fixed fee before we hang up.
Book a Free Call →Reacco: BAS Lodgement for Perth Small Business
At Reacco, BAS preparation and lodgement is one of our core services. As ATO Registered BAS Agents and CA ANZ Chartered Accountants, we handle everything — from reviewing your Xero records to preparing and lodging the BAS and managing any ATO correspondence.
We work with sole traders, small businesses, companies and trusts across all Perth suburbs and throughout Western Australia. Our approach is proactive: we remind you ahead of each deadline, flag any anomalies in your accounts, and ensure your GST position is always accurate.
To learn more about how Reacco supports Perth small businesses with accounting, BAS lodgement, and bookkeeping, visit our small business accountant Perth page.
If you're behind on BAS lodgements or simply want to take the compliance burden off your plate, book a free consultation today.