BAS Agent and BAS Lodgement on the Sunshine Coast
Accurate BAS prepared from your books and lodged by a Registered Tax Agent. Extra time to lodge where you qualify, no nasty surprises, and help with the ATO if you have fallen behind.
Book a free 30-minute consultation
BAS lodgement for Sunshine Coast businesses
Your business activity statement (BAS) reports GST, PAYG withholding, PAYG instalments and other obligations to the ATO. It is one of the most frequent compliance jobs a small business has, and one of the easiest to get wrong. Mentor Tax & Advisory prepares and lodges BAS for businesses across the Sunshine Coast and Australia as a Registered Tax Agent, which means we can lodge on your behalf, deal with the ATO for you and, for eligible quarterly lodgers, give you more time to lodge and pay.
What we look after
GST registration
You must register for GST within 21 days of your GST turnover reaching $75,000 or more ($150,000 for non-profit organisations), or when you expect to reach it. Some businesses must register regardless of turnover, including taxi, limousine and ride-sourcing drivers, and you must be registered to claim fuel tax credits. We check whether you need to register, register you through your ABN, and set up the right GST settings in your accounting software from day one.
Quarterly and monthly BAS
We prepare your BAS from reconciled books, check GST coding on sales and purchases, review unusual items and capital purchases, and confirm the figures before anything is lodged. Most small businesses report quarterly. You must report monthly if your GST turnover is $20 million or more or the ATO has directed you to, and smaller businesses can choose monthly reporting if it suits their cash flow.
Instalment activity statements (IAS)
If you are not registered for GST but have PAYG withholding or PAYG instalment obligations, you may receive an IAS instead of a BAS. We prepare and lodge these on the right cycle.
PAYG withholding
If you have employees, the tax you withhold from wages is reported on your activity statement. We make sure the amounts reported match your payroll and Single Touch Payroll data.
PAYG instalments
PAYG instalments are prepayments of the income tax on your business and investment income. If your income has dropped or your deductions have risen, paying the ATO's calculated amount can mean paying too much tax during the year. We review your instalments and can vary the rate or amount where it is justified. Be careful: if a varied instalment is less than 85% of the amount the ATO would have calculated, general interest charge can apply to the shortfall.
Fuel tax credits
Businesses that use fuel in eligible machinery, plant, equipment and heavy vehicles may be able to claim fuel tax credits through the BAS. We check eligibility, apply the correct rates for the period, and keep the records needed to support your claim.
BAS due dates – and the extra time an agent can give you
Standard quarterly BAS due dates are:
- Quarter 1 (July–September): 28 October
- Quarter 2 (October–December): 28 February
- Quarter 3 (January–March): 28 April
- Quarter 4 (April–June): 28 July
Monthly BAS is due on the 21st of the following month. Businesses with turnover up to $10 million that report GST monthly and lodge electronically have until 21 February for the December BAS.
Under the ATO's registered agent lodgment program for 2026–27, eligible quarterly BAS lodged electronically by an agent get later dates. The July–September 2026 quarter is due 25 November 2026 instead of 28 October, and the January–March 2027 quarter is due 26 May 2027 instead of 28 April. Quarter 2 stays at 28 February 2027, because that date already includes an extension. Not every activity statement qualifies – for example, monthly GST reporters and those with monthly PAYG instalments are excluded – and the extra time generally applies once your previous activity statement has been lodged electronically. If a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, you have until the next business day. For more background, see our guide to BAS and GST basics.
Behind on your BAS? We can catch you up
Falling behind is common, especially in busy or seasonal businesses. The longer it goes, the harder it feels to start, and unlodged statements can lead to ATO estimates, penalties and firmer action. We work through the backlog: reconcile the missing periods, fix coding errors, prepare each outstanding BAS in order and lodge them. Where your books need more work first, our catch-up bookkeeping service gets them in shape.
ATO payment plans and debt
If you cannot pay a BAS in full and on time, talk to us before the due date. Many businesses can set up a payment plan with the ATO, and if you owe $200,000 or less you may be able to set one up online. Payment plans require an up-front payment, and general interest charge keeps accruing on the balance, so the aim is to clear the debt in the shortest realistic time. As your agent, we can work out what is affordable, set up the plan and keep your future lodgments on track so the plan does not default.
Why use a registered agent for your BAS
- Registered Tax Agent. Director Blake Land (BCom, AIPA, FNTAA, TAN 25901938) can lodge BAS and IAS for you and speak to the ATO on your behalf.
- More time to lodge for eligible quarterly lodgers under the agent lodgment program.
- Joined up with your tax return. Your BAS figures line up with your annual tax return, so there are no mismatches to explain later.
- Xero L2 Certified. We work straight from your Xero file, with tips in our guide to getting the most from Xero.
- 25+ years of experience and more than 10 years helping Sunshine Coast businesses across all industries, including QBCC-licensed builders.
Local BAS agent, Australia-wide service
We look after businesses in Noosa, Coolum Beach, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Buderim, Caloundra and Gympie, and businesses anywhere in Australia online. Because your books are in the cloud, we can prepare and lodge your BAS wherever you are.
Book a free 30-minute consultation
Business owners can book a free 30-minute consultation to talk about BAS, GST or an overdue lodgment. Call Blake on 0400 074 846 or send us a message.
Frequently asked questions
When is my next BAS due?
The standard quarterly due dates are 28 October, 28 February, 28 April and 28 July, and monthly BAS is due on the 21st of the following month. If we lodge an eligible quarterly BAS electronically as your registered agent, the July to September 2026 quarter is due 25 November 2026 and the January to March 2027 quarter is due 26 May 2027. Quarter 2 remains due 28 February 2027.
Do I need to register for GST?
You must register within 21 days of your GST turnover reaching $75,000 or more, or when you expect it to reach that level. Non-profit organisations have a $150,000 threshold. Taxi, limousine and ride-sourcing drivers must register whatever their turnover, and you need to be registered to claim fuel tax credits. Below the threshold, registering is optional and we can help you weigh it up.
What is the difference between a BAS and an IAS?
A business activity statement (BAS) is lodged by businesses registered for GST and reports GST along with other obligations like PAYG withholding and instalments. An instalment activity statement (IAS) is generally used when you are not registered for GST but still have PAYG withholding or PAYG instalment obligations. We prepare and lodge both, on whichever cycle applies to you.
I have several BAS outstanding. What should I do?
Get help now rather than waiting. Unlodged activity statements can lead to ATO estimates, penalties and firmer action. We reconcile the missing periods, correct any coding errors and lodge the outstanding statements in order. If there is a debt at the end, we can help you arrange a payment plan with the ATO and set up a routine so you stay up to date.
Can I get a payment plan for my BAS debt?
Often, yes. The ATO offers payment plans to businesses that cannot pay in full and on time, and if you owe $200,000 or less you may be able to set one up online. An up-front payment is required and general interest charge continues to accrue, so it pays to clear the debt quickly. We can help work out an affordable plan and set it up.
Should I vary my PAYG instalments?
It may be worth considering if your business or investment income has dropped, or your deductions have increased, so the ATO's instalment would mean overpaying tax during the year. Variations must be made by the instalment due date. If your varied amount ends up less than 85% of what the ATO would have calculated, general interest charge can apply, so it is best to get advice first.