It’s Almost BAS Time: How Smart Accounting Tools Can Make Lodgment Easier

If you’re registered for GST, your next BAS (Business Activity Statement) lodgment date is coming up and missing it will cost you. Australia’s ATO imposes general interest charges for late payments, and those charges aren’t tax deductible, so tardiness really does mean paying more.

The good news? The right accounting software with strong features for invoicing, payroll/STP, expenses, bank feeds, and reporting can turn BAS time from stress into something you almost look forward to.

Key Features That Simplify BAS Preparation

Here are software features you should lean on before your next BAS deadline.

 Invoicing

• Automatically tag GST on all goods and services invoices.
• Issue recurring invoices and follow up unpaid ones.
• Link invoice payments with bank feeds so you don’t have to manually reconcile.

Payroll & Single Touch Payroll (STP)

• Report each pay run in real time to the ATO via STP-enabled software. This means your BAS form’s PAYG (W1) and withheld tax (W2) labels can be pre-filled, reducing errors.
• Automate superannuation, leave, and tax deductions so totals align with your BAS.

Expense Management

• Capture and categorise business expenses immediately (mobile apps / receipts).
• Automatically calculate GST on purchases.
• Keep receipts organised so they’re ready for review at lodgment time.

Bank Feeds

• Link with major Australian banks for automatic daily import of transactions.
• Reconcile bank statements with your accounting records regularly.
• Real-time cash flow visibility helps you spot missing payments or overpayments.

Reporting & BAS Summary

• Generate GST reports ahead of time to check what you owe or are owed.
• Review trend reports so that you aren’t blindsided by large tax or PAYG obligations.
• Use dashboards to view outstanding invoices, payroll costs, expenses so you can act early.

Benefits of Using Accounting Software for BAS

Using the right tools gives you more than just convenience. These are the practical wins you’ll notice:

1. Save Time Automate repetitive work (invoices, payroll, reconciliations) so you’re not buried in admin at quarter’s end.
2. Reduce Errors & Penalties Pre-filled numbers (especially via STP) and bank-feeds reduce chances for mistakes. Wrong PAYG withholding or GST can result in ATO queries.
3. Better Cash Flow Management With visibility over invoices, expenses, and bank balances, you can plan ahead for BAS payments and avoid unpleasant surprises.
4. Stay ATO Compliant STP Phase 2 rules require detailed employee and payroll reporting. Meeting those requirements avoids penalties. (Australian Taxation Office)
5. Access Anywhere, Any Time Cloud-based tools let business owners and accountants work together—and keep records up to date even when not in the office.

Key Integrations That Boost BAS Workflow

To maximise benefits, make sure your accounting system talks to these other tools or services:

• Bank Integration —Let your system sync directly with bank accounts (daily/weekly) so feed-in transactions are automatic and reconciled sooner.
• Payroll & HR Systems —STP-enabled payroll tools are essential. If they integrate with your accounting ledger, your BAS PAYG (W1/W2) data will flow without manual input.
• Expense & Receipt Apps —Apps like Expensify or Hubdoc help convert receipts to digital records, extract GST, categorise expenses, and feed that into your accounting software.
• Analytics & Reporting Tools —Extra tools (dashboards, KPIs) help you run what-if scenarios (e.g. what happens to your BAS if sales drop or expenses spike).
• ATO Portal / Lodgment Links —If your software supports direct lodgment to the ATO portal, that reduces friction; fewer manual uploads or export/import steps.

Tips to Plan Ahead & Avoid BAS Penalties

To finish off, here are actionable things to do now so you avoid late fees or surprises:

• Reconcile invoices, receipts, and bank transactions monthly—not just at quarter end.
• Review your payroll reports and ensure STP data is correct (including super and tax withheld).
• Keep GST collected separated so you always know what you owe.
• Consider switching to monthly BAS lodgment if your cash flow or transaction volume justifies it.
• If you can’t pay on time, talk to a registered BAS or tax agent early—costs for advice are deductible and may help you get more time.

When Nothing to Report? Lodge a ‘Nil BAS’

If in any period you have no GST, PAYG, or other obligations, don’t skip lodging it’s legally required. Software can help you generate a ‘nil BAS’ view quickly so this requires minimal effort. Also, check whether you still need GST registration if you consistently have no activity.

Key Takeaway

BAS time doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With the right digital accounting tools invoicing, payroll/STP, expenses, bank feeds, reporting you can stay on top of your numbers, reduce risk, and lodge on time. Take small steps now, and BAS season becomes not a scramble, but just another regular business rhythm.

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Credits

Vigneshkumar Muthiah,
Services Management Team