BAS Lodgement 2025–26: Your Complete Guide for Australian Businesses
Do you run a business registered for GST in Australia? Lodging your Business Activity Statement (BAS) on time is one of your most important tax duties. The Q3 BAS (covering January to March 2026) is due on 28 April 2026. If you lodge through a registered agent, the deadline extends to 26 May 2026. Now is the time to get your records in order.
Here’s what you need to know about BAS lodgement for the 2025–26 financial year.
What Is a BAS and Who Needs to Lodge One?
A Business Activity Statement is a form you submit to the ATO. All businesses registered for GST must lodge one. It brings together several tax duties into a single report, including:
- GST — the difference between GST collected on sales and GST credits claimed on business purchases eligible for write-off
- PAYG Withholding — tax withheld from employee wages (including super obligations) and certain contractor payments
- PAYG Instalments — pre-payments of income tax (including capital gains) on expected yearly income
- Other duties — such as Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) instalments, Luxury Car Tax (LCT), Wine Equalisation Tax (WET), and fuel tax credits (where applicable)
How Often Do You Lodge?
Your reporting cycle depends on your GST turnover and EOFY duties:
- Quarterly — for businesses with GST turnover under $20 million (the most common cycle)
- Monthly — required for businesses with GST turnover of $20 million or more. Smaller businesses can also choose this option.
- Annually — for businesses voluntarily registered for GST with turnover under $75,000 ($150,000 for not-for-profits)
Even if you have no activity to report, you must still lodge a nil BAS by the due date. This avoids penalties.
2025–26 BAS Lodgement Deadlines
Missing a BAS deadline can trigger automatic penalties. Mark these dates in your calendar now.
Quarterly BAS Due Dates
| Quarter | Period | Standard Due Date | Agent Concession Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 1 Jul – 30 Sep 2025 | 28 October 2025 | 25 November 2025 |
| Q2 | 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2025 | 28 February 2026 | No concession |
| Q3 | 1 Jan – 31 Mar 2026 | 28 April 2026 | 26 May 2026 |
| Q4 | 1 Apr – 30 Jun 2026 | 28 July 2026 | 25 August 2026 |
Note: The Q2 deadline (28 February) already includes a one-month extension for the summer holiday period. No further agent concession applies.
Monthly BAS Due Dates
Monthly lodgers must submit their BAS by the 21st of the following month. For example, the March 2026 monthly BAS is due on 21 April 2026. A special rule applies to the December BAS. Eligible businesses lodging online through a registered agent have until 21 February 2026.
Annual BAS Due Dates
Businesses eligible for annual reporting must lodge their 2025–26 annual GST return by 31 October 2026. If you don’t need to lodge an income tax return, the deadline is 28 February 2027.
How to Lodge Your BAS
The ATO strongly encourages digital lodgement. It is faster, more accurate, and results in quicker refunds. You have several options:
1. ATO Online Services
Sole traders can lodge via their myGov account linked to the ATO. Companies, trusts, and partnerships use Online services for business at business.gov.au.
2. Accounting Software (SBR-Enabled)
Platforms like Xero, MYOB, and QuickBooks can lodge your BAS directly with the ATO. These tools often pre-fill your BAS from your accounting records. This cuts down on manual data entry and reduces errors.
3. Registered Tax or BAS Agent
Using a professional agent is one of the most reliable ways to get your BAS right and lodged on time. Registered agents also get extended deadlines under the ATO’s agent lodgement program. This gives you extra time without penalties.
4. Paper (Mail)
Paper lodgement is still available. However, it is the slowest method and can delay processing and any refunds owed to you.
Penalties for Late or Wrong BAS Lodgement
The ATO takes BAS compliance seriously. Here’s what you risk if you miss a deadline or make errors:
Failure to Lodge (FTL) Penalty
This penalty applies automatically when a BAS is not lodged by its due date:
- Small entities (turnover under $1 million): $330 per 28-day period overdue, up to $1,650
- Medium entities ($1 million to under $20 million): up to $3,300
- Large entities ($20 million or more): up to $8,250
Important: Lodge on time even if you can’t pay the full amount. The FTL penalty is separate from any payment duty. Lodging on time avoids the penalty even if you need more time to pay.
General Interest Charge (GIC)
If you pay late, the ATO charges a General Interest Charge on the outstanding amount. It is calculated daily on a compounding basis. The rate is updated each quarter.
Key change for 2026–27: From 1 July 2026, the GIC will no longer be tax-deductible for businesses. This makes paying late much more costly. It’s a strong reason to pay on time or set up a payment plan early.
5 Tips for Accurate BAS Preparation
Getting your BAS right the first time saves time, money, and stress. Here are five practical steps:
- Reconcile your accounts regularly. Match bank accounts, credit cards, and clearing accounts at least monthly. This keeps your BAS figures accurate.
- Keep valid tax invoices. You can only claim GST credits on purchases backed by a valid tax invoice. Make sure your records are complete before lodging.
- Cross-check PAYG withholding against payroll. Your W2 figure (PAYG withheld) should match your payroll records and Single Touch Payroll (STP) reports. Gaps are a common ATO audit trigger.
- Set aside funds for BAS payments. Transfer a portion of GST collected into a separate account regularly. This way, you’re never caught short when payment is due.
- Lodge early, even if you can’t pay. If cash flow is tight, lodge your BAS on time and contact the ATO to set up a payment plan. The ATO is generally willing to work with businesses that reach out early.
What the ATO Is Focusing On in 2025–26
The ATO has flagged several areas of increased scrutiny this year:
- Digital lodgement compliance — the ATO is pushing online services and SBR-enabled software to improve accuracy
- GST reporting consistency — retail and hospitality businesses are under closer watch. The ATO cross-checks BAS figures against STP data and third-party information.
- Late lodgers and non-lodgers — the ATO is contacting businesses with outstanding BAS duties and escalating to debt recovery where needed
Staying on top of your BAS duties is the best way to avoid unwanted ATO attention.
Sources
- ATO – Business Activity Statements (BAS)
- ATO – Due Dates for Lodging and Paying Your BAS
- ATO – BAS Agent Lodgment Program
- ATO – Registered Agent Lodgment Program 2025–26
- ATO – Failure to Lodge Penalty
- ATO – General Interest Charge
Need help getting your BAS right? Contact TaxServe Australia today for expert BAS and GST advice. We’ll make sure your business stays compliant and penalty-free this financial year.
What is a Business Activity Statement (BAS)?
A BAS is a form you submit to the ATO. It reports your GST collected on sales, GST credits claimed on purchases, PAYG withholding from employee wages, and PAYG instalments. Most small businesses lodge quarterly. Some lodge monthly or annually.
When is the BAS due date for quarterly lodgement?
The quarterly due dates are: Q1 (July–September) due 28 October, Q2 (October–December) due 28 February, Q3 (January–March) due 28 April, and Q4 (April–June) due 28 July. If you lodge through a registered tax agent like TaxServe, you may get an extended deadline of about four weeks.
What happens if I lodge my BAS late?
The ATO may charge a Failure to Lodge (FTL) penalty. This is $330 per 28-day period (or part thereof) that the BAS is overdue, up to $1,650 for small entities. Interest charges (GIC) also apply on unpaid amounts. Lodging on time — even if you can’t pay — helps you avoid these penalties.
Can I lodge my BAS myself or do I need an accountant?
You can lodge your BAS yourself through ATO online services via myGov, or through software like Xero or MYOB. However, using a registered agent like TaxServe ensures accuracy and may give you extended deadlines. Professional help is especially useful for complex GST situations.
What records do I need to keep for BAS lodgement?
You need records of all sales and purchases (including tax invoices for purchases over $82.50), bank statements, wage and salary records, and PAYG payment summaries. Keep records for at least five years. They should be in English or easy to convert to English.
How often do I need to lodge a BAS?
It depends on your GST turnover. Businesses with turnover under $20 million lodge quarterly. Those with $20 million or more lodge monthly. Businesses voluntarily registered with turnover under $75,000 ($150,000 for not-for-profits) may lodge annually. The ATO sets your frequency when you register for GST.
Do I still need to lodge a BAS if I had no business activity?
Yes. You must lodge a nil BAS on time even if your business had no activity. Not lodging can result in penalties and may trigger ATO action. You can lodge a nil BAS quickly through ATO online services, accounting software, or your registered tax agent.
What is the penalty for late BAS lodgement in 2025–26?
The FTL penalty is $330 per 28-day period overdue, up to $1,650 for small entities (turnover under $1 million). The GIC also applies daily on unpaid amounts. From 2026–27, the GIC is no longer tax-deductible. This makes late payment even more costly.
What is the difference between PAYG withholding and PAYG instalments on a BAS?
PAYG withholding is the tax you take from employee and contractor payments and send to the ATO. PAYG instalments are pre-payments of your own expected income tax for the year. Both appear on your BAS, but they serve different purposes. Withholding relates to your employees’ tax. Instalments relate to your own tax.
Can I get an extension on my BAS lodgement deadline?
Yes. If you lodge through a registered agent like TaxServe, you may get an extended deadline of about four weeks. For example, the Q3 2025–26 standard deadline is 28 April 2026, but the agent concession extends it to 26 May 2026. You can also contact the ATO directly for an extension in special cases.
What accounting software can I use to lodge my BAS?
You can use SBR-enabled software such as Xero, MYOB, and QuickBooks. These platforms calculate your GST, PAYG withholding, and PAYG instalments from your data. They then submit your BAS to the ATO online. This is generally faster and more accurate than doing it by hand.
How do I correct a mistake on a previously lodged BAS?
You can fix errors through ATO online services, your accounting software, or your registered agent. For GST errors under $10,000, you can usually correct them on your next BAS. For larger errors, you may need to lodge a revised BAS for the original period. Contact TaxServe or the ATO for help with your specific case.