BAS and GST Lodgement Checklist for Small Businesses

Managing BAS and GST can feel confusing for many small business owners. Between sales, expenses, invoices, receipts, payroll, and due dates, it is easy for things to pile up.

The good news is that BAS and GST become much easier when your records are organised. With the right checklist, you can prepare your information properly, avoid last-minute stress, and lodge with more confidence.

This guide explains what small businesses should check before lodging BAS and GST.

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What Is BAS?

BAS stands for Business Activity Statement. It is a form businesses use to report and pay certain tax obligations to the Australian Taxation Office.

Your BAS may include:

• Goods and Services Tax, known as GST  

• Pay As You Go withholding, known as PAYG withholding  

• Pay As You Go instalments, known as PAYG instalments  

• Other business tax obligations, depending on your situation  

Not every business has the same BAS requirements. What you need to report depends on your business structure, registration, turnover, and tax obligations.

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What Is GST?

GST stands for Goods and Services Tax. In Australia, GST is generally 10% on most goods and services sold or consumed in Australia. Businesses registered for GST usually collect GST from customers and pay it to the ATO when it is due.  

A business generally needs to register for GST if its GST turnover is $75,000 or more, and once required to register, the ATO states registration should be completed within 21 days.  

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Why BAS and GST Preparation Matters

BAS lodgement is not just a simple form. It is connected to your sales, expenses, cash flow, bookkeeping, payroll, and business records.

Good BAS and GST preparation can help you:

• Avoid errors in your lodgement  

• Keep your tax records clean  

• Understand your business cash flow  

• Reduce stress before due dates  

• Stay compliant with ATO requirements  

• Make better business decisions

BAS and GST Lodgement Checklist

1. Check Your GST Registration Status

Before preparing your BAS, confirm whether your business is registered for GST.

You should check:

• Whether your business is currently GST registered  

• Whether your turnover has reached, or may soon reach, the GST registration threshold  

• Whether your invoices include GST correctly  

• Whether you are charging GST only when required  

This is important because GST-registered businesses need to collect GST on taxable sales and report it through their BAS.

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2. Review All Sales Income

Your sales income is one of the most important parts of BAS preparation.

Make sure you review:

• Sales invoices  

• Online payments  

• Cash sales  

• EFTPOS sales  

• Bank deposits  

• Refunds or cancelled invoices  

• GST included in taxable sales  

Your sales records should match your accounting software and bank records. If there are missing invoices or unexplained deposits, fix them before lodging.

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3. Check Your Business Expenses

Business expenses can affect how much GST credit you may be able to claim. That is why your expense records need to be accurate.

Review expenses such as:

• Supplier invoices  

• Rent or lease costs  

• Vehicle expenses  

• Software subscriptions  

• Office supplies  

• Marketing and advertising costs  

• Equipment purchases  

• Contractor payments  

Make sure each expense is correctly entered and supported by a valid invoice or receipt.

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4. Separate Personal and Business Transactions

One common mistake small business owners make is mixing personal and business expenses.

Before lodging BAS, check whether any personal transactions have been recorded as business expenses. These may include:

• Personal shopping  

• Private travel  

• Non-business meals  

• Family expenses  

• Personal subscriptions  

Keeping personal and business spending separate makes bookkeeping cleaner and helps reduce BAS errors.

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5. Make Sure GST Is Recorded Correctly

Not every transaction is treated the same for GST. Some sales and expenses may include GST, while others may not.

Check that GST has been recorded correctly for:

• Taxable sales  

• GST-free sales  

• Supplier invoices  

• Bank fees  

• Wages and salaries  

• Insurance  

• Imports, if relevant  

• Mixed-use expenses  

This step matters because incorrect GST coding can lead to wrong BAS figures.

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6. Reconcile Your Bank Accounts

Bank reconciliation means matching your bank transactions with the records in your accounting system.

Before lodging BAS, reconcile:

• Business bank accounts  

• Credit cards  

• Loan accounts, if used for business  

• Payment platforms such as Stripe, PayPal, or Square  

Reconciliation helps find missing income, duplicate expenses, and incorrect entries before they affect your BAS.

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7. Check Payroll and PAYG Withholding

If you employ staff, payroll details may also affect your BAS.

Review:

• Gross wages  

• PAYG withholding  

• Superannuation records  

• Payroll reports  

• Single Touch Payroll information  

• Employee payment summaries, where relevant  

Payroll mistakes can create bigger compliance problems, so it is worth checking these carefully before lodgement.

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8. Review Supplier Invoices and Receipts

You generally need proper records to support GST credits. Before lodging BAS, make sure your supplier documents are complete.

Check that you have:

• Tax invoices for purchases  

• Receipts for smaller expenses  

• Supplier details  

• Correct dates  

• Correct GST amounts  

• Clear descriptions of what was purchased  

If an invoice is missing, contact the supplier before lodging.

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9. Check Large Purchases

Large purchases can affect your BAS figures, especially if GST credits are involved.

Review purchases such as:

• Vehicles  

• Equipment  

• Tools  

• Machinery  

• Computers  

• Office fit-outs  

• Business assets  

Make sure these items are correctly recorded and not treated as simple everyday expenses if they need different accounting treatment.

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10. Confirm Your BAS Reporting Period

Your BAS may be lodged monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on your business and ATO requirements.

Monthly BAS is generally due on the 21st day of the month after the taxable period.  

For activity statements, the ATO also lists standard quarterly due dates, including 21 October, 21 January, 21 April, and 21 July for quarterly activity statement obligations, while electronic lodgement and registered agent arrangements may have different dates.  

Always check the due date shown on your BAS, as this is the date that applies to your business.  

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11. Review Your Accounting Software Reports

Before lodging, run your key reports and review them carefully.

Useful reports may include:

• Profit and loss report  

• Balance sheet  

• GST report  

• General ledger  

• Payroll report  

• Accounts receivable report  

• Accounts payable report  

Look for unusual amounts, duplicated transactions, missing categories, and incorrect GST codes.

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12. Keep Records Organised

Good record keeping makes BAS easier every period, not just at lodgement time.

Keep copies of:

• Sales invoices  

• Purchase invoices  

• Receipts  

• Bank statements  

• Payroll records  

• BAS lodgement confirmations  

• ATO payment receipts  

• Superannuation payment records

Common BAS and GST Mistakes to Avoid

Many BAS errors happen because business owners are busy and leave things too late.

Common mistakes include:

• Claiming GST without a valid tax invoice  

• Recording personal expenses as business expenses  

• Forgetting cash sales  

• Using the wrong GST code  

• Not reconciling bank accounts  

• Missing supplier invoices  

• Entering duplicate expenses  

• Lodging late  

• Not setting aside money for GST payments  

• Not checking payroll figures

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Final Thoughts

BAS and GST lodgement does not have to be stressful. The key is preparation.

When your sales, expenses, payroll, bank accounts, and records are organised, your BAS becomes easier to manage. A simple checklist can help you stay on track, avoid common mistakes, and lodge with confidence.

At Zavik Solutions, we help small businesses with BAS, GST, bookkeeping, tax planning, and compliance support. Our goal is to make your business records clearer, your lodgement process smoother, and your tax obligations easier to understand.