BAS lodgement in Australia: quarterly vs monthly + due dates

What a BAS is

A Business Activity Statement (BAS) is the lodgement form GST-registered businesses use to report and pay GST, PAYG withholding, PAYG instalments, fringe benefits tax instalments, fuel tax credits and other taxes. The ATO administers BAS lodgement. GST registration scope details who needs to lodge.

Businesses can choose to lodge monthly, although this is not always required. Generally, most small businesses lodge quarterly, while medium and large businesses generally lodge monthly.

The BAS allows businesses to reconcile their tax obligations and make payments to the ATO.

Who lodges monthly vs quarterly

Businesses with a GST turnover of at least $20 million are required to lodge their Business Activity Statement (BAS) monthly. This is a mandatory requirement.

For businesses whose GST turnover is below $20 million, quarterly lodgement is the default method. This means they will lodge their BAS every three months unless they elect to change their lodgement frequency.

Businesses can choose to lodge monthly voluntarily, even if their turnover is below $20 million. This option is sometimes utilised by businesses that receive net refunds to help manage cash flow.

Standard due dates

Businesses registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Australia must lodge Business Activity Statements (BAS) either quarterly or monthly. Standard due dates differ depending on the lodgement frequency. Quarterly BAS lodgement periods and their corresponding due dates are: Q1 (July to September) – 28 October; Q2 (October to December) – 28 February; Q3 (January to March) – 28 April; and Q4 (April to June) – 28 July. You can use the compliance calendar tool to keep track of these dates.

Businesses required to lodge monthly BAS must submit their statement on the 21st of the following month. For example, a BAS for January would be due on 21 February.

It is important to recognise that these are standard due dates. Businesses lodging through a registered BAS or tax agent may be eligible for concessional, later dates. Late lodgement attracts the Failure To Lodge penalty plus general interest charge on unpaid amounts.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes in BAS lodgement often arise from misunderstandings of GST classification. Businesses may incorrectly classify goods and services as GST-free, input-taxed, or taxable, leading to inaccurate reporting and potential adjustments by the ATO. Correct classification is essential for both calculating GST payable and claiming appropriate GST credits.

Another frequent error involves claiming GST credits. To claim a GST credit, businesses must have a valid tax invoice for acquisitions costing $82.50 or more (inclusive of GST). Failure to obtain and retain these invoices, or incorrectly interpreting their details, can result in disallowed GST credits.

Businesses also sometimes miss the reporting of PAYG-W amounts withheld from employees’ wages. This is a mandatory reporting requirement and omission can lead to penalties. Incorrectly managing fuel tax credits, particularly for eligible heavy-vehicle and off-road fuel use, is another area where errors frequently occur.