What Every Tradie Needs to Know About Quarterly BAS Lodgements

9 July

Running a trade business in Windsor, Richmond, or Penrith means you’ve probably got a dozen jobs on the go, a backlog of quotes to send, and a ute full of gear to sort. The last thing on your mind? Lodging your BAS.

But if you're self-employed, subcontracting, or running a small crew, understanding Business Activity Statements (BAS) is non-negotiable. One missed deadline can lead to late fees, cash flow stress, or a very cranky ATO. And no one needs that on top of a packed schedule.

What Is BAS and Why Should Tradies Care?

Your BAS (Business Activity Statement) is how your business reports GST, PAYG, and other taxes to the ATO. If you're registered for GST, and most trade businesses earning over $75,000 per year should be, you need to lodge a BAS, usually every quarter.

Think of it as your regular report card for the tax office. You’re telling them:

How much GST you collected
What GST credits you’re claiming
What you’ve withheld from staff wages (if you employ anyone)
Any PAYG instalments you’re pre-paying

Skip it or get it wrong, and the ATO doesn’t muck around. They’ll hit you with penalties, interest, and potentially a compliance audit.

When Are Quarterly BAS Lodgements Due?

Here’s a breakdown of quarterly BAS due dates (if you lodge yourself):

Q1 (July – September): Due 28 October
Q2 (October – December): Due 28 February
Q3 (January – March): Due 28 April
Q4 (April – June): Due 28 July

If you're working with registered accountants in Windsor or tax accountants in Penrith, you might get extra time to lodge, depending on your agent’s arrangement with the ATO.

Pro tip: Even if you can’t pay right away, lodge on time. The ATO is more lenient with payment plans than with missed lodgements.

Why BAS Deadlines Matter for Cash Flow

If you’ve ever been hit with an unexpected GST bill, you know the pain. Suddenly you’ve got to find $12,000 for the ATO, and half your jobs haven’t even been paid yet.

Lodging your BAS quarterly gives you a clear picture of your cash flow and tax obligations so you can plan ahead. It helps you:

See how much GST you actually owe before it becomes a surprise
Plan for PAYG and super contributions
Understand what your profit really looks like
Avoid stacking up tax debt that creeps up behind you

Staying on top of your quarterly BAS helps you avoid the “feast or famine” cycle that traps a lot of tradies.

What You Need to Lodge Your BAS

Here’s a quick checklist of what you’ll need to prepare each quarter:

Invoices issued (for jobs completed or in progress)
Receipts and purchase records (especially those with GST)
Bank statements
Payroll records (if applicable)
Any contractor payments (for TPAR reporting)
Accounting software records (like Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks)

If your books aren’t in order, your BAS figures could be way off—and that could mean paying more tax than you should, or raising red flags with the ATO.

Common BAS Mistakes Tradies Make

Even if you’re trying to do the right thing, here’s where most tradies slip up:

1. Guessing GST

Not all income is taxable, and not all expenses are claimable. Guessing or estimating will only get you into trouble.

2. Missing a lodgement

Even one late submission can trigger penalties or audits. Plus, the ATO keeps track, and multiple late lodgements can impact your reputation.

3. Not keeping receipts

If you’re ever audited and can’t show proof, the ATO can deny your GST credits. Digital copies work just fine, just keep them organised.

4. Using the wrong accounting method

You can report GST on a cash or accrual basis. Many tradies accidentally switch between the two without realising it.

How Often Should You Review Your Numbers?

Quarterly BAS lodgements are a good excuse to sit down and take stock.

A good accountant in Windsor or accountant in Richmond will help you understand:

Where your money’s going
If your jobs are actually profitable
What’s eating into your margins
Whether you can afford to upgrade, expand, or hire

If you’re only speaking to your accountant once a year, you’re missing the whole point of BAS lodgements, they’re a tool to help you run your business, not just stay compliant.

What We Do at Bold Accounting

Here’s what we do for tradies who want more than just “tick the box” accounting:

We handle your BAS from start to finish—gathering the right info, lodging on time, and making sure everything checks out
We give you real insight into your numbers—not just what’s due, but what’s driving (or draining) your profits
We speak tradie—you won’t get jargon or spreadsheets you don’t understand
We stay in touch—so you’re never left chasing us down when a BAS deadline is coming up

Whether you’re a solo operator or running a growing crew, we help you stay compliant and build a business that works.

You won’t be surprised by a last-minute BAS bill or an ATO penalty. We keep you ahead of the game, every quarter.

Make BAS Lodgements One Less Thing to Worry About

You’ve got jobs to finish, staff to manage, and a business to grow. You don’t need to be chasing paperwork, calculating GST, or hoping your BAS was lodged correctly.

Let’s take it off your plate. We work with self-employed tradies and subcontractors every day, helping them lodge on time, stay cash flow confident, and avoid unnecessary ATO stress.

Local support from experienced accountants in Windsor, Richmond, and Penrith

Proactive, clear, and tailored for tradies

Real support from people who get how trade businesses work

If your BAS lodgements are stressing you out, contact us and we’ve got you covered.