GST for Small Business: When to Register and How to Track It
In short: The ATO requires you to register for GST if your business has a GST turnover of $75,000 or more in the current or previous 12 months, or expects to reach $75,000 in the coming 12 months. Taxi and rideshare drivers must register regardless of turnover. Once registered, record the GST on every transaction, keep your tax invoices for five years and reconcile before each BAS.
Read MoreBAS Lodgement Guide: How to Prepare Your Quarterly BAS
In short: In Australia, a sole trader or small business registered for GST lodges a BAS every quarter, due on the 28th of the month after the quarter ends (28 February for the December quarter). To prepare it, reconcile the quarter's receipts, check GST on sales (1A) against GST on purchases (1B), export a report of the totals, then lodge and pay any GST owed by the due date.
Read MoreGST Receipt Tracking: The Easiest Way to Stay BAS-Ready
In short: The easiest way to stay BAS-ready in Australia is to record GST as you go: scan each receipt with a GST receipt tracking app when you get it, so the GST amount is stored separately from the total. Keep a valid tax invoice to claim the GST credit on any purchase over $82.50 (including GST), and export your GST totals by category each quarter for your BAS.
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