Use an Accountant to lodge your BAS and save time and money 2024

Accountants have been trained in BAS compliance. As a business owner the registered BAS agent knows how to capture all your expenses. They know what expenses include GST and, in many cases, capture much more GST than a business owner with little BAS experience. Many small business owners often do not use the correct codes which may result in an overpayment to the ATO. Accountants ensure that your lodgement details are compliant and that you are able to maximise your deductions.

Professional BAS/ Accountants agents can get you a lodgement and payment extension.

If you lodge your BAS yourself, you will need to lodge and pay by the 28th of April for the March Quarter. However, if a registered BAS agent lodges your BAS, you can lodge and usually pay 4 weeks after this. Effectively, you have almost two months to gather data  together, lodge and pay, which is more money in your bank account, earning interest, than in the ATO’s.

Tips for lodging BAS

Keeping good records helps you stay on top of your business .When completing your next business activity statement (BAS), remember:

• Keep accurate and complete records of all sales, fees, expenses, wages and other business costs.
• Only lodge one BAS for each period. If your form has been replaced, you should use the replacement form and not the original.
• Only complete fields that apply to you. If you have nothing to report, enter zero.
• Make sure that you have entered the figures for your obligations at the correct label.

Remember, if you’ve made a mistake, you can revise or fix the mistake on your next BAS.

BAS and GST record keeping tips

• Keep records of all sales, fees, expenses, wages and other business costs
• Keep appropriate records, such as stocktake records and logbooks to substantiate motor vehicle claims
• Reconcile sales with bank statements
• Use the correct GST accounting method. An accountant can advise you as to which method is better for your business
• Retain all your tax invoices and other GST records for five years.
• Use an accounting software program like Xero or MYOB

GST credits – How to claim

Only claim GST credits on the business portion of purchases, and     don’t claim GST on private expenses, such as food or entertainment. If an item is for business and personal use, only claim the business portion.

Use the discounted price when claiming GST credits for discounted purchases, even if the discount doesn’t appear on the invoice. Claim GST credits up front for purchases under hire purchase agreements (entered into on or after 1 July 2012) – if you account for GST on a cash basis. Claim GST credits on the Australian dollar value when claiming invoices in a foreign currency.

If your business changes or ceases you may need to repay some GST credits for business assets you decide to keep.

When you can claim a GST credit

This may be obvious, but there are some rules you must observe.

• You must be registered for GST to claim GST credits
• You can claim a credit for any GST included in the price you pay for things you use in your business. This is called an input tax credit, or a GST credit.
• You claim GST credits in your business activity statement.

You can claim GST credits if the following conditions apply:

• You intend to use your purchase solely or partly for your business, and the purchase does not relate to making input-taxed supplies.
• The purchase price included GST.
• You provide or are liable to provide payment for the item you purchased.
• You have a tax invoice from your supplier (for purchases more than A$82.50)
• A four-year time limit applies for claiming GST credits.

When claiming GST credits, make sure your suppliers are registered for GST. You can check the GST registration status of an entity by searching the ABN Lookup site.

If you need assistance with your BAS lodgement, please call our office and we can assist you.

Exclusive Offer

If you are thinking about changing your accountant or your are at the stage where your business has grown, why not take up our exclusive free 15 -minute complementary consultation service. If you have a question, you would like answered, reach out to us today. Our team is looking forward to hearing from you

We are offering an exclusive $150 Investax Group credit to small business owners if you decide to bring your small business accounting services to us. **

** Note this offer excludes the preparation of Individual Tax Returns and is valid for 2 months. Offer expires on 17 April 2022

We offer a 15-minute free consultation to discuss your tax, property investment and business needs. Book your complimentary consultation now.

Book Now

General Advice Warning
The material on this page and on this website has been prepared for general information purposes only and not as specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained on this page and on this website is General Advice and does not take into account any person’s particular investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs.

Before making an investment decision based on this advice you should consider, with or without the assistance of a securities adviser, whether it is appropriate to your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances. In addition, the examples provided on this page and on this website are for illustrative purposes only.

Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained on this page and on this website, Investax, its officers, representatives, employees, and agents disclaim all liability [except for any liability which by law cannot be excluded), for any error, inaccuracy in, or omission from the information contained in this website or any loss or damage suffered by any person directly or indirectly through relying on this information.