When is Your BAS Due? A Guide to Australian BAS Submission Dates

Struggling to remember your Business Activity Statement (BAS) due date? It's a critical compliance question for every Australian business owner. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) sets your BAS submission dates based on your business's GST turnover. This guide clarifies whether you need to lodge monthly or quarterly and explains the key deadlines to avoid penalties.

Understanding and meeting your BAS lodgement and payment deadlines is fundamental to running a compliant business in Australia. These dates are not suggestions; they are strict legal requirements. Missing a deadline can lead to significant penalties, disrupt your cash flow, and attract unwanted attention from the ATO. Your reporting frequency—monthly, quarterly, or annually—is determined by your GST turnover, ensuring the compliance burden matches your business's scale.

Decoding Your BAS Submission Deadlines

Getting your head around your Business Activity Statement (BAS) lodgement and payment deadlines is one of the fundamentals of running a business in Australia. These dates aren’t just friendly suggestions from the ATO; they’re strict compliance requirements. Miss one, and you could be looking at penalties that disrupt your cash flow and put you on the ATO’s radar for all the wrong reasons.

The main thing that determines how often you need to report is your GST turnover. This single figure decides whether you'll be lodging monthly, quarterly, or, in a few special cases, just once a year. The ATO sets things up this way to match the compliance workload with the size of your business operations.

How the ATO Determines Your Reporting Cycle

The ATO assigns your reporting frequency right when you first register for GST, based on what you tell them about your expected turnover. The idea is to keep it simple: the more business you do, the more often you report.

Here’s a quick look at the standard reporting cycles:

• Monthly Reporting: This is mandatory for any business with a GST turnover of $20 million or more. Some smaller businesses also choose to report monthly voluntarily, as it can help them keep a much closer eye on cash flow and tax obligations.

• Quarterly Reporting: This is the default for most Australian small and medium-sized businesses. If your GST turnover is less than $20 million, you’ll almost certainly fall into this category.

• Annual Reporting: This is a less common option, usually only available to very small businesses with a GST turnover under $75,000 (or $150,000 for non-profits) that have chosen to register for GST voluntarily. You can dive deeper into this in our guide to GST registration in Australia.

There are over 2.7 million actively trading businesses in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This tiered BAS system is the ATO’s way of managing tax compliance across a huge range of businesses, from sole traders working out of their ute to massive corporations.

Why Mastering These Dates Is Critical

Let's be blunt: ignoring your BAS due dates is a fast track to financial penalties. The ATO has two main tools for non-compliance: the Failure to Lodge (FTL) penalty for being late, and the General Interest Charge (GIC) that ticks up on any unpaid tax. These charges add up surprisingly fast, turning a small oversight into a serious financial headache.

On top of that, a history of late lodgements tarnishes your compliance record. That can make it much harder down the track if you ever need to ask the ATO for a payment plan or a bit of extra time. For the sake of your business's financial health, it’s best to treat your BAS deadlines as non-negotiable.

Navigating Monthly BAS Due Dates

For larger businesses, staying on top of tax obligations isn't a quarterly task—it's a monthly rhythm. This frequent reporting cycle is designed for businesses with significant economic activity, making sure tax is collected and passed on to the ATO in a timely way. If this is your business, getting the monthly BAS dates locked in is non-negotiable for staying compliant.

The rule of thumb is pretty simple: your monthly BAS is due for lodgement and payment by the 21st day of the month that follows the end of the reporting period. So, for all your business activity in June, you'll need to report and pay for it by the 21st of July. This deadline is firm and stays the same right through the financial year.

Who Must Lodge Monthly?

The main trigger for mandatory monthly BAS reporting is your GST turnover. The ATO requires your business to lodge monthly if its GST turnover hits $20 million or more. This threshold ensures that the businesses making the biggest splash in the economy are reporting their tax obligations more frequently.

But it’s not just for the big players. Some smaller businesses actually choose to lodge monthly, even when they don't have to.

Why would anyone lodge monthly by choice?

• Better Cash Flow: Getting GST refunds back every month instead of waiting a full quarter can be a massive boost for a business's working capital.

• Constant Financial Pulse: Reporting regularly instills a strong discipline in your bookkeeping, giving you a much clearer and more current picture of your business's financial health.

• Smaller, More Manageable Payments: Facing a smaller tax bill every month can feel a lot less intimidating than a huge one every three months.

Information Required for Monthly BAS

Every monthly BAS needs a precise snapshot of your financial activities for that period. The core details you'll report are the same as quarterly lodgements, just squeezed into a shorter timeframe.

You'll typically need to report:

• GST: The goods and services tax you've collected on sales and paid on your business purchases.

• PAYG Withholding: The income tax you've held back from employee wages and any payments to other businesses that are part of voluntary agreements.

• PAYG Instalments: Your regular pre-payments toward the business's expected annual income tax bill.

The ATO's tiered system for BAS due dates isn't random; it's a deliberate strategy to balance the compliance load across Australia's 2.7 million+ businesses. It demands monthly reporting from high-turnover entities while giving the majority a quarterly option. You can dig into more data on Australian business counts from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The Importance of Disciplined Bookkeeping

The tight, 21-day turnaround for monthly BAS leaves absolutely no room for error or procrastination. You simply can't afford to leave it to the last minute. The only way to succeed with monthly lodgements is to have exceptionally disciplined bookkeeping habits all month long.

Think about a large retail chain at the end of June. To hit their July 21st deadline, their finance team has to reconcile thousands of transactions, finalise payroll withholding, and nail down their GST liabilities—all in just three weeks. This is only achievable if their accounts are kept spotless and up-to-date, day in and day out.

This is exactly why staying organised isn't just "good practice" for monthly reporters; it's a survival skill. For a closer look at the nuts and bolts, check out our guide on how to lodge your BAS correctly.

Ultimately, whether you're required to lodge monthly or you've chosen to, consistency is everything. When you embed diligent financial tracking into your daily operations, you turn what could be a stressful compliance task into just another routine part of running a smart business.

Mastering Quarterly BAS Deadlines

For most small and medium businesses in Australia, lodging your Business Activity Statement (BAS) every quarter is the standard rhythm of tax compliance. This schedule hits the sweet spot—it gives you enough time to get your books in order without letting tax obligations pile up for an entire year. Getting these quarterly dates locked in is the first step to staying on the right side of the ATO.

If you’re handling your own BAS lodgements, the deadlines are refreshingly predictable. They fall on the 28th day of the month right after the end of each financial quarter. This consistent pattern makes it much easier to plan your admin workload and, just as importantly, your cash flow for any upcoming payments.

This timeline shows the typical workflow for getting your BAS sorted, from wrapping up the sales month to hitting that final ‘lodge and pay’ button.

The Standard Quarterly Due Dates

For businesses lodging on their own, these are the key dates to circle in your calendar:

• Quarter 1 (July – September): Due 28 October

• Quarter 2 (October – December): Due 28 February

• Quarter 3 (January – March): Due 28 April

• Quarter 4 (April – June): Due 28 July

You’ll notice the Quarter 2 deadline has a bit of extra time built in—a welcome concession from the ATO to account for the summer holiday break!

The Registered Agent Advantage

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Working with a registered tax or BAS agent is a genuine game-changer for countless businesses. Why? Because it unlocks access to the ATO's lodgement program, which grants some seriously helpful extensions on those quarterly deadlines. This isn’t just about buying more time; it’s a strategic move that can significantly improve your cash flow and ease the pressure.

The data backs this up. ATO figures show that while most businesses lodge online, a huge factor in compliance is simply meeting the deadlines. Late quarterly lodgements often boil down to one thing: unreconciled books. It’s no surprise, then, that registered agents handle a massive chunk of BAS lodgements—over 57%, according to ATO statistics. You can dive deeper into these figures by reviewing the ATO's tax time updates.

Those extended deadlines give you and your agent the breathing room needed to double-check every figure, ensure all claims are maximised, and lodge a BAS that’s accurate and complete.

Using a registered agent isn't just about outsourcing a task. You're tapping into a system the ATO itself designed to encourage better compliance. The extended deadlines are an acknowledgement that professional oversight leads to higher quality, more accurate reporting.

Due Date Comparison Standard Vs Registered Agent

To really see the difference a registered agent makes, let’s put the dates side-by-side. This table compares the standard ATO due dates for lodging yourself against the extended deadlines available when you’re on an agent’s lodgement program.

Quarter (Reporting Period)	Standard Due Date (Lodge Yourself)	Registered Agent Due Date (Typical)
Q1 (Jul - Sep)	28 October	25 November
Q2 (Oct - Dec)	28 February	28 February (No standard extension)
Q3 (Jan - Mar)	28 April	26 May
Q4 (Apr - Jun)	28 July	25 August

The value is crystal clear. For three out of four quarters, you gain nearly an entire extra month to finalise your accounts and sort out the payment. This is invaluable time for proper bookkeeping and smart tax planning, which are essential parts of your overall business compliance. This is something we cover in our guide on ABN and tax return compliance.

Common Mistakes for Quarterly Lodgers

Even with a three-month reporting window, it’s easy to make preventable errors. The most common mistake we see? Leaving all the bookkeeping and account reconciliation until the last week before the deadline.

This mad dash always leads to stress, mistakes, and missed GST credits. If you can build the habit of reconciling your accounts monthly, BAS preparation shifts from a frantic project to a simple final review.

A Simpler Option: Annual GST Reporting

For a lot of very small businesses or not-for-profits, the merry-go-round of monthly or quarterly BAS lodgements is just too much. It's a heavy administrative load for what often amounts to a tiny GST bill.

Thankfully, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) gets this. They offer a much simpler, once-a-year option: annual GST reporting. This dramatically cuts down the compliance work, letting eligible businesses sort out their GST just once a year. It’s a fantastic option, especially for those who’ve voluntarily registered for GST just to claim input tax credits but have very low turnover.

Who Can Report Annually?

The ATO keeps a pretty tight rein on who can use annual reporting; it's definitely not for everyone. To get the green light, you have to tick a couple of specific boxes.

You might be eligible to report and pay GST annually if you:

• Are voluntarily registered for GST (meaning your turnover is below the compulsory threshold).

• Have a GST turnover of less than $75,000 for a business, or less than $150,000 for a non-profit organisation.

Usually, the ATO will let you know if you qualify for this option. It’s really designed for micro-businesses, sole traders, or small community groups where the effort of quarterly lodgements just isn't proportional to the tax involved.

Think of annual reporting as a practical nod from the ATO. They recognise that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work for tax compliance, and this is their way of easing the burden on the smallest players in the economy.

Key Dates for Annual GST Lodgement

Unlike the predictable quarterly dates, your annual GST return due date is tied directly to your income tax return deadline. This is a smart move by the ATO, as it helps bundle up your major end-of-financial-year tasks into one event.

The standard due date for lodging your annual GST return is 31 October, right after the financial year ends on 30 June. So, for the financial year ending 30 June 2024, your annual GST return is due on 31 October 2024.

But here’s a common exception: if you use a registered tax agent, that date usually gets pushed out. It will align with your agent’s lodgement program, which could give you until as late as May of the following year.

Don't Confuse Annual GST with Other Tax Duties

This is a critical point to remember: reporting your GST annually doesn't mean all your other tax reporting duties disappear. If your business has employees, you’re still on the hook for PAYG withholding.

These employee tax deductions have to be reported to the ATO using an Instalment Activity Statement (IAS). The IAS is purely for reporting things like PAYG withholding and instalments—it has nothing to do with GST.

So, even if you’re an annual GST reporter, you might still need to lodge a monthly or quarterly IAS if you pay staff. This ensures the tax withheld from your employees’ wages gets to the ATO promptly, completely separate from your annual GST wash-up. It's always a good idea to chat with a tax professional to make sure you have a clear picture of all your obligations.

The Real Cost of Missing a BAS Deadline

Thinking of a missed BAS deadline as just a minor administrative slip-up is a dangerous assumption. In reality, it’s a costly mistake with very real financial consequences. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) doesn’t take late lodgements lightly, and they have a structured system of penalties designed to keep businesses on track.

The moment you sail past that due date, two separate financial penalties kick in, often working together to create a debt that can quickly spiral.

Failure to Lodge (FTL) On Time Penalty

The first hit you’ll take is the Failure to Lodge (FTL) on time penalty. This is an automatic administrative penalty the ATO applies when a required document, like your BAS, isn't in their hands by the deadline.

The penalty is calculated using a system of penalty units. For a small business, the ATO applies one penalty unit for every 28-day period (or part of a period) that your BAS is overdue. The dollar value of a penalty unit changes over time, but the cost stacks up fast.

• Small Business Penalty: You get hit with one penalty unit for each 28-day block your BAS is late.

• Maximum Penalty: The pain is capped at a maximum of five penalty units for a single late BAS for small businesses.

This isn’t something a human decides; it’s an automated system. Repeatedly lodging late creates a poor compliance history with the ATO, making it much harder to get any leniency down the track. For a deeper dive into how these penalties work, check out our guide on the consequences of a late tax return submission.

General Interest Charge (GIC)

On top of the FTL penalty, if your BAS shows you owe the ATO money, the General Interest Charge (GIC) starts ticking over from the original payment due date. This isn't a simple one-off fee. It’s an interest charge that compounds daily on any unpaid tax.

The GIC rate is set by the ATO and updated quarterly to align with market interest rates. Because it compounds every single day, even a small outstanding tax bill can grow into something much larger over time. This makes it critical to settle any BAS debt as soon as you possibly can.

The combination of FTL penalties and GIC is designed to be a serious deterrent. The ATO's message is clear: lodging and paying on time is a non-negotiable part of running a compliant business in Australia.

Practical Example: The Cost of a 30-Day Delay

Let's put this into a real-world scenario. Imagine a sole trader misses their quarterly BAS deadline by 30 days and owes $5,000.

1. FTL Penalty: Because the lodgement is 30 days late, it has crept into the second 28-day block. This would trigger two penalty units.

2. GIC Calculation: The GIC would be calculated on the outstanding $5,000 for all 30 days it remains unpaid, compounding daily.

What began as a simple missed deadline has now morphed into a multi-layered debt that is actively getting bigger every day.

Beyond the Financial Penalties

The consequences don't stop with fines and interest. A history of late lodgements immediately raises red flags within the ATO, increasing your chances of being singled out for an audit or review.

Furthermore, it can hurt your business's reputation. When you apply for business loans or other types of finance, lenders almost always ask for proof of a solid compliance history. A pattern of late BAS lodgements can damage your financial credibility, potentially blocking your access to capital right when you need it most.

How to Stay on Top of Your BAS Deadlines

Knowing your BAS submission dates shouldn't feel like guesswork. With a few solid systems in place, you can move past the last-minute panic and stay compliant, steering clear of any unnecessary penalties from the tax office. It really just comes down to knowing where to find the official information and building simple habits into your business rhythm.

Your specific due dates aren’t a state secret. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) puts this information right at your fingertips. You can log in and confirm your exact lodgement and payment deadlines anytime.

Finding Your Official Due Dates

Always go straight to the source. Don't rely on memory or what you think the date is when the official deadlines are just a few clicks away.

• ATO Online services for business: For companies, trusts, and partnerships, this is your home base. Your upcoming BAS forms and their due dates are laid out clearly.

• myGov Account: If you’re a sole trader, your BAS information will be linked to the myGov account you use for the ATO.

• Your Registered Agent: When you work with a tax or BAS agent, they’ll manage all these dates for you. They’ll also let you know about the extended deadlines you get access to through their special lodgement program.

A Practical Checklist for BAS Success

Staying on top of your deadlines is all about creating a straightforward, repeatable workflow. Once you embed these practices into your routine, BAS prep becomes just another part of doing business, not a major stress event.

Proactive communication with the ATO is always your best bet. If you can see a delay coming, asking for a deferral before the due date is far better than explaining why you're late after the fact. The ATO is much more likely to look on it favourably.

To make sure your BAS is spot-on and you’re claiming every credit you're entitled to, keeping good records is non-negotiable.

What to Do If You're Going to Be Late

Life happens. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, you just can't meet a deadline. The absolute worst thing you can do is bury your head in the sand. The ATO is often surprisingly reasonable, as long as you communicate with them upfront.

If you know you won’t be able to lodge or pay on time, have your registered agent contact the ATO immediately. They can request a lodgement deferral or talk about setting up a payment plan. This simple step can stop penalties from being automatically applied and shows you’re trying to do the right thing, which goes a long way in protecting your compliance record.

Frequently Asked Questions About BAS Submission Dates

1. What is the difference between a BAS and an IAS?

A Business Activity Statement (BAS) is a comprehensive tax form used to report and pay for multiple tax obligations together, including GST, PAYG withholding, and PAYG instalments. An Instalment Activity Statement (IAS) is a simpler form used only for remitting PAYG withholding and instalments, typically by businesses that report GST annually but pay employees more frequently.

2. Can I get an extension on my BAS due date?

Yes. The most effective way is to use a registered tax or BAS agent, who can access the ATO's lodgement program concessions, providing automatic extensions for most quarterly due dates. If lodging yourself, you can contact the ATO before the deadline to request a deferral, but this is granted on a case-by-case basis.

3. What happens if a BAS due date falls on a weekend or public holiday?

The ATO's policy is that if a due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a public holiday, you have until the next business day to lodge and pay without penalty. For example, if the 28th is a Sunday, your deadline becomes Monday the 29th.

4. Do I still need to lodge a BAS if I have nothing to report?

Yes, absolutely. If you have had no business activity during a reporting period, you must still lodge a "nil BAS" by the due date. The ATO considers failing to lodge a nil BAS a failure to lodge, and penalties can still apply.

5. How can I confirm my specific BAS submission dates?

The most reliable source is the ATO directly. You can find your specific due dates by logging into ATO Online services for business (for companies, trusts, partnerships) or your myGov account linked to the ATO (for sole traders). These portals will display your reporting frequency and upcoming deadlines.

Summary: Key Takeaways on BAS Deadlines

• Frequency is Key: Your BAS lodgement frequency (monthly, quarterly, or annual) is determined by your GST turnover.

• Know Your Dates: Monthly BAS is due on the 21st of the following month. Quarterly BAS is typically due on the 28th of the month after the quarter ends.

• Agent Advantage: Using a registered BAS or tax agent provides access to extended lodgement deadlines for most quarterly statements.

• Penalties are Real: Missing a deadline triggers both a Failure to Lodge (FTL) penalty and a General Interest Charge (GIC) on any amount owing.

• Communication is Crucial: If you anticipate being late, contact the ATO (or have your agent do so) before the due date to request a deferral or payment plan.

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Managing your BAS deadlines is a non-negotiable part of running a compliant and successful Australian business. If you need help staying on top of your obligations and want to ensure you meet every deadline, the team at Baron Tax and Accounting is here to assist.

Baron Tax and Accounting Website: https://www.baronaccounting.com Email: info@baronaccounting.com Phone: +61 1300 087 213

Contact us today for personalised advice on your BAS obligations