BAS Mistakes Every Small Business Should Avoid: Common Errors That Can Cost You Money

Running a small business comes with plenty of responsibilities, and managing tax obligations is one of the most important. A Business Activity Statement (BAS) is a regular requirement for many Australian businesses. Still, even small mistakes in preparation or reporting can create unnecessary stress, cash flow problems, or issues with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

BAS mistakes are often not caused by carelessness. For many small business owners, it’s simply a matter of juggling too many tasks while trying to keep up with GST rules, receipts, and financial records. A small mistake in recording a sale or expense can create problems when lodging a BAS.

Understanding the common BAS mistakes small businesses make can help you avoid costly errors and keep your tax reporting accurate.

What Is a BAS and Why Does Accuracy Matter?

A Business Activity Statement (BAS) is a form businesses use to report certain tax obligations to the ATO. Depending on the business, a BAS may include information about:

• Goods and Services Tax (GST).

• Pay As You Go (PAYG) withholding.

• PAYG instalments.

• Other tax obligations.

Businesses registered for GST generally need to lodge BAS reports monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on their reporting requirements.

Incorrect BAS reporting can result in paying too much tax, claiming incorrect GST credits, receiving delayed refunds, or facing ATO penalties and interest charges.

Here are some of the most common BAS mistakes small businesses should avoid.

1. Claiming GST Credits on Expenses That Are Not Eligible

One of the easiest BAS mistakes to make is claiming GST credits on expenses that don’t actually qualify.

Businesses can usually claim GST credits when a purchase is for business use, and GST is included in the price. However, expenses that are partly personal, don’t have a valid tax invoice, or don’t include GST may not be eligible.

For example, if a business owner buys a laptop for $2,200 and uses it 80% for work and 20% personally, they can’t claim the full GST credit. The claim should only cover the business-use portion.

Keeping proper records and checking the GST treatment of each expense before claiming can help avoid mistakes when lodging your BAS.

2. Reporting Incorrect Sales or Income

Another common BAS mistake is failing to report all business income correctly. This can happen when businesses forget to record cash sales, miss income from online platforms, enter incorrect figures into accounting software, or fail to reconcile sales records with bank transactions.

Small businesses should regularly check their income records and make sure all sales are recorded accurately before preparing their BAS.

The ATO uses data-matching systems to compare information from different sources, so businesses need to ensure their reported income matches their actual transactions.

3. Mixing Personal and Business Expenses

Using the same account for personal and business spending can make BAS preparation much more difficult.

When expenses are mixed, businesses may accidentally:

• Claim GST credits on personal purchases.

• Miss legitimate business deductions.

• Spend extra time separating transactions during BAS preparation.

For example, if a business owner uses a business credit card to pay for both office supplies and personal shopping, it becomes harder to identify which transactions relate to the business.

Fixing BAS mistakes becomes much easier when you keep separate business and personal bank accounts and review expenses regularly.

4. Applying the Wrong GST Treatment

GST rules are not always straightforward, and applying the wrong treatment can lead to BAS errors.

Some transactions may be:

• Taxable and include GST.

• GST-free.

• Input-taxed and not eligible for GST credits.

A common mistake is assuming every business purchase includes GST or every sale needs GST added.

For example, if a business buys a vehicle that is used partly for work and partly for personal driving, it can’t claim the full GST credit amount. The business can only claim the portion that relates to its business use.

Understanding GST rules before lodging your BAS can help avoid incorrect reporting.

5. Missing BAS Lodgement Deadlines

Late BAS lodgement is a common problem for small businesses, especially when bookkeeping gets pushed aside during busy periods.

Missing a BAS deadline can result in:

• ATO penalties

• Interest charges on unpaid amounts

• Extra pressure on cash flow

The easiest way to avoid this is to keep records updated throughout the quarter rather than scrambling to gather invoices and transactions when the BAS deadline is approaching.

Setting calendar reminders and completing bookkeeping regularly can make the process much easier.

6. Relying Too Much on Accounting Software

Accounting software has made bookkeeping much easier, but it doesn’t guarantee your BAS will be correct. The software is only as accurate as the information entered into it.

Common mistakes include using the wrong GST codes, misclassifying expenses, failing to reconcile bank accounts, or creating duplicate transactions.

Think of accounting software as a helpful tool, not a replacement for regularly checking your records and managing your finances properly.

7. Poor Record Keeping

Accurate records are essential for preparing a correct BAS. Businesses should keep important documents such as tax invoices, receipts, bank statements, expense records, and sales records.

Poor record keeping can make it harder to confirm that GST claims and income reporting are accurate.

Keeping organised records also makes it easier to respond if the ATO requests supporting information.

How Small Businesses Can Avoid BAS Mistakes

The best way to reduce BAS errors is to have consistent financial processes in place. Keeping your bookkeeping up to date and reconciling bank accounts regularly can help catch mistakes early.

Before lodging your BAS, check GST codes, keep business and personal expenses separate, and make sure your records are organised.

For businesses with more complex transactions, working with a registered BAS agent or accountant can provide extra support and confidence when preparing and lodging your BAS.

BAS Agent vs DIY BAS Lodgement: Which Option Is Better?

As your business grows, managing GST, payroll, expenses, and reporting requirements can become more complicated, making it important to have the right systems and support.

A registered BAS agent can help businesses:

• Prepare and lodge BAS correctly.

• Identify potential reporting issues.

• Maintain accurate records.

• Stay updated with tax requirements.

Professional support can save time and help prevent mistakes that may cost more to fix later.

Final Thoughts

BAS mistakes can happen to any business, but staying on top of records, keeping bookkeeping up to date, and understanding GST obligations can help reduce errors.

Taking the time to review transactions, separate personal and business expenses, and prepare BAS carefully can help small businesses stay compliant and avoid unnecessary financial stress.

If managing BAS, GST reporting, and bookkeeping feels overwhelming, Clear Tax can help. Our team supports Australian small businesses with accurate BAS preparation, bookkeeping, and tax compliance services, helping you meet your obligations while focusing on running your business.

Contact Clear Tax today to get professional support with your BAS and keep your business tax affairs on track.

Instant Asset Write-Off Explained for SMEs: What Australian Businesses Need to Know

Running a small business often means spending money to keep things moving. Whether you’re replacing old computers, buying new equipment, upgrading tools, or setting up a new workspace, these costs can quickly become a significant expense.

The good news is that eligible businesses may be able to claim the cost of certain assets sooner through the instant asset write-off. Instead of spreading the deduction over several years, eligible businesses may be able to claim the full cost of qualifying assets in the year they are first used or installed, depending on the current ATO rules.

However, the instant asset write-off is often misunderstood. It isn’t a cash payment from the government. Instead, it reduces your taxable income, which may lower the amount of tax your business needs to pay.

What Is Instant Asset Write-Off?

The Instant Asset Write-Off is a tax concession designed to encourage small businesses to invest in assets that support business growth.

Normally, business assets such as computers, machinery, furniture, and equipment are depreciated over their effective life, meaning you claim a portion of the cost each year. Under the Instant Asset Write-Off, eligible businesses may instead claim an immediate deduction for qualifying assets, provided they meet the relevant eligibility criteria and thresholds.

This can improve cash flow by bringing forward tax deductions rather than spreading them over several financial years.

Who Can Claim the Instant Asset Write-Off?

Eligibility depends on the tax rules applying to the relevant financial year. In general, businesses need to meet specific turnover requirements and other conditions set by the ATO.

Eligible businesses can include:

• Sole traders

• Partnerships

• Companies

• Trusts

• Small businesses using the simplified depreciation rules

The rules and eligibility requirements can change from time to time, so it's worth checking the latest ATO guidance or speaking with a tax professional before making a major business purchase. 

For the 2026-27 financial year, the instant asset write-off has been extended under the Federal Budget 2026-27. Businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $10 million may immediately deduct the business portion of eligible assets costing under $20,000 (subject to ATO rules). The $20,000 limit applies per asset, so multiple eligible assets may be claimed separately. 

What Assets Can Be Claimed?

Many business assets can qualify for the deduction, as long as they are used for business purposes and meet the ATO’s eligibility rules.

Some common examples include:

• Computers, laptops, and other technology equipment

• Office furniture and equipment

• Printers, scanners, and similar items

• Business tools and machinery

• Manufacturing equipment

• Commercial kitchen equipment

• Point-of-sale (POS) systems

• Security cameras and alarm systems

• Eligible business vehicles

If an asset is used partly for business and partly for personal purposes, only the business-use portion is generally deductible.

Depending on the rules in force for the relevant financial year, some second-hand assets may also qualify.

How Does the Instant Asset Write-Off Work?

The process is relatively straightforward, but timing is important.

Generally, businesses should:

1. Purchase an eligible business asset.

2. Ensure the asset is installed or ready for business use before the relevant deadline.

3. Meet the applicable eligibility requirements.

4. Claim the deduction when lodging their business tax return.

It's worth noting that simply ordering or paying for an asset isn't always enough. In many cases, the asset must be installed or ready for use before the end of the relevant period to qualify.

Keeping invoices, receipts, finance documents, and installation records will also make the claim easier to support if required.

Example: How an SME Can Benefit

Sarah owns a small graphic design studio that has grown steadily over the past year. To improve productivity, she purchases new computers, monitors, and office equipment costing $18,000.

If the purchases meet the Instant Asset Write-Off eligibility requirements for that financial year, Sarah may be able to claim an immediate deduction rather than depreciating the assets over several years.

The deduction lowers Sarah's taxable business income for the year. How much tax she saves will depend on her circumstances, but it can leave more money in the business in the short term.

Common Mistakes Businesses Make

Although the Instant Asset Write-Off can be valuable, mistakes are common.

Some of the most frequent errors include:

• Assuming every business purchase automatically qualifies.

• Claiming assets that don't meet the eligibility requirements.

• Claiming the full cost of assets used partly for personal purposes.

• Forgetting that assets generally need to be installed or ready for use before the deadline.

• Misunderstanding the rules for business vehicles.

• Failing to keep invoices and supporting documentation.

• Believing the write-off is a government rebate or cash payment.

Taking a little extra care before lodging your tax return can help avoid costly corrections later.

Instant Asset Write-Off vs Normal Depreciation

Instant Asset Write-Off	Normal Depreciation
Immediate deduction for eligible assets	Deduction spread over several years
Faster tax benefit	Gradual tax benefit
Subject to eligibility rules and thresholds	Applies to depreciating assets generally
Can simplify tax reporting	Requires ongoing depreciation calculations

Understanding which method applies to your purchase can make a significant difference when preparing your tax return.

Records You Should Keep

Good record keeping is essential for supporting any deduction you claim.

Businesses should retain documents such as:

• Tax invoices

• Purchase receipts

• Finance agreements

• Asset details

• Installation or delivery records where relevant

• Business-use calculations for mixed-use assets

• Depreciation schedules if applicable

Keeping organised records not only makes tax time easier but also helps if the ATO requests evidence of your claims.

Final Thoughts

The Instant Asset Write-Off can be a useful way for eligible SMEs to get more value from business purchases. Before claiming it, businesses should make sure the asset qualifies, keep their receipts and records, and understand the current ATO rules to avoid problems later.

The rules around the Instant Asset Write-Off Extended can be tricky, especially when thresholds, eligibility requirements, and tax laws change.

Clear Tax can help you understand whether your purchase qualifies, claim the deduction correctly, and work out whether an immediate write-off or depreciation is the better option for your business.

Before making major asset purchases or lodging your business tax return, speak with Clear Tax. Our team can guide you through the latest Instant Asset Write-Off rules and help ensure your business tax return is prepared accurately from the start.

Are You Tax Ready for 2025?

Another financial year has wrapped up, and now you’re staring down tax time again. Maybe you’re wondering whether you’ve kept enough receipts, whether you can claim your work-from-home expenses, or whether that side hustle from earlier in the year needs to be included.

Here’s the real question: Are you actually ready to lodge your tax return this year?

If your gut says “not quite,” you’re not alone. Many people put it off, thinking they’ll figure it out when they get to it. But putting off your tax return, or rushing through it without the right info, can cost you, not just in missed deductions, but in potential penalties or unexpected tax bills.

So let’s run through what you really need to know for tax time 2025, and how you can take control now rather than deal with a headache later.

Hoping for the best isn’t a plan.

If your strategy is “I’ll just sort it out when I get to it,” that’s a gamble. Tax rules change. Your situation changes. A year that seemed straightforward on the surface could come with hidden tax consequences.

Lodging your return without the right info, or too early before your income is pre-filled, can lead to mistakes, delays, or under-claiming deductions you’re entitled to.

A little preparation now can save you a lot of back-and-forth later.

What should you do before lodging?

Here’s a quick checklist to get your ducks in a row:

• Link your myGov account to the ATO if you haven’t already. You’ll need your TFN to do this.

• Locate your TFN. If it’s not on hand, check old payment summaries or super statements.

• Wait for pre-fill. The ATO starts filling in income and other details from late July. Lodging before then increases the risk of missing information.

• Mark your deadline. If you’re lodging on your own, you’ve got until 31 October. If you want to use a tax agent, make sure they’re registered and reach out to them before that same date.

Do you need to lodge at all?

Most people do, but not everyone. If your income was low or you only received government payments, you might not need to lodge a return at all.

Still, if you’re unsure, don’t guess. The ATO offers a tool to check. And if it turns out you don’t need to lodge, you’ll still need to submit a non-lodgment form. Ignoring it altogether could still cause issues later on.

Let’s talk deductions.

This is where a lot of people trip up. You can’t just claim everything you’ve paid for. You can only deduct expenses if:

• You paid the money yourself (and weren’t reimbursed)

• It directly relates to your income

• You’ve got proper records—receipts, not just bank statements

If you worked from home this financial year, you may also be eligible to claim part of your electricity, internet, and office equipment expenses. But again, solid records are key.

The Medicare levy and surcharge: what’s the difference?

Most Australians pay a 2% Medicare levy. It helps fund the public health system.

On top of that, higher-income earners who don’t have private hospital cover could also be charged the Medicare levy surcharge. And even if you do have cover, it has to meet the right requirements. If your spouse or children weren’t included in the policy, or you only had it for part of the year, you could still be charged.

It’s worth checking the fine print so you’re not caught out.

Got a student loan?

If your income is over the repayment threshold, you’ll need to start paying it back, even if you’re still studying.

Your employer might already be withholding extra from your pay, but it doesn’t go toward your loan until after you lodge your return. If they withheld too much, you could get a refund. If they didn’t withhold enough, you might have a shortfall.

Letting your employer know you have a loan can help avoid issues in the future.

Don’t forget your spouse’s details.

You need to include your partner’s income on your return if you had a spouse at any point during the financial year. This includes married, de facto, or domestic relationships.

The ATO uses combined income to determine eligibility for certain offsets and rebates, and to calculate the Medicare levy surcharge. Leaving it out could mean losing out on entitlements—or worse, ending up with a bill later.

What if something goes wrong?

Made a mistake? Don’t panic. Wait for your notice of assessment, then lodge an amendment. Doing it too early can slow things down.

Got a bill? The due date is 21 November, no matter when you lodge. Can’t pay it all at once? You may be able to set up a payment plan, but you’ll need to act quickly to avoid interest charges.

So, are you actually tax-ready?

Ask yourself:

• Have I waited until all my income info is pre-filled?

• Am I confident in the deductions I’m claiming?

• Have I included all my income, including freelance, cash jobs, or investments?

• Have I checked my Medicare levy or surcharge status?

• Did I include my partner’s details?

If any of those questions made you pause, it might be time to get help.

Here’s where Clear Tax comes in.

At Clear Tax, we know tax season can be confusing, stressful, and—let’s be honest—not something most people look forward to.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

We work with individuals, sole traders, and small businesses across Australia to take the guesswork out of tax. Whether it’s lodging your return, claiming all the deductions you’re entitled to, or sorting out a past mistake, we make it easier.

We speak your language, not accounting jargon. And we make sure nothing slips through the cracks—because even small oversights can lead to big problems down the line.

Want to get your 2025 tax return sorted the right way?

Reach out to Clear Tax today and take the pressure off. We’re here to make tax time simple, clear, and stress-free.

📚 Curious to know more? Dive into our blogs and get simple, practical tips straight from the experts!

1. What Is the Time Limit for Tax Return Amendments to the ATO?

2. Hiring a Tax Accountant vs Doing Your Own Tax Return

3. Why Ignoring a Tax Return Error Could Cost You

Do You Need to Declare Foreign Income in Australia?

 If you're earning money from overseas and not telling the ATO, you're playing with fire.

This isn’t just something that affects CEOs or world travellers. It’s about you. Whether you’re freelancing for a client in the US, earning rental income from a property in Europe, or dabbling in international shares, it all counts. 

And if that foreign income isn’t showing up on your tax return, the ATO sees that as a problem. A serious one.

You might think it’s small, or that no one’s going to notice. But the truth is, they do notice, and not reporting it could land you with penalties you didn’t see coming. So, before you file and forget, let’s talk about what foreign income actually means and why ignoring it isn’t worth the risk.

What Is Considered Foreign Income?

Foreign income isn’t just some niche tax category. It’s any income you earn from sources outside Australia. This can include:

• Working remotely for an overseas company

• Getting paid by international clients for freelance work

• Earning dividends from foreign shares

• Collecting rent from a property abroad

• Even receiving a pension or benefit from a foreign government

If you’re thinking, “But I wasn’t in another country,” that doesn’t matter. It’s not about where you physically were, it’s about where the money came from.

Who Must Declare Foreign Income?

Yes. You absolutely do.

As long as you are considered an Australian resident for tax purposes, you must report all income, no matter where in the world you earned it. There is no lower limit or hidden loophole. Whether it’s $50 or $50,000, it needs to go on your tax return.

You might not feel like a global earner, but the ATO doesn’t see it that way.

ATO Rules for Tax on Overseas Income

The simple answer? It’s about fairness and transparency.

The ATO wants everyone to be taxed according to their total income, no matter where it came from. If you’re benefiting from services and infrastructure in Australia, the government expects a fair contribution.

Plus, Australia has tax treaties with a bunch of other countries. These agreements help you avoid paying tax twice on the same income. But there’s a catch: to get those tax credits or offsets, you have to declare the foreign income first.

So in a way, reporting that income could actually save you money, if you play by the rules.

Want to Learn More? Check Out These Sections on Our Website

We’ve only scratched the surface here. If you’re wondering how to actually go about declaring your foreign income or want to avoid the most common mistakes, we’ve got the full guide for you:

How to Report Foreign Income: Step-by-step instructions to make sure you’re doing it right.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Learn from the errors others have made so you don’t have to.

To read the full blog and get all the essential info, head to our website [https://cleartax.com.au/tax/personal-tax/declare-foreign-income/] and get the details that could save you from an expensive mistake.

Final Word

If you’ve got income coming in from overseas, even just a trickle, you need to take it seriously. The ATO doesn’t care how small or whether it was “just a one-time payment.” If it’s income and you’re a tax resident here, it needs to be reported.

Don’t leave it to chance. Get informed, get prepared, and make sure you’re ticking all the right boxes.

Got foreign income? Make it your business to declare it, because the ATO already considers it theirs.

Ready to dive deeper?

Read the complete blog on our website here:

https://cleartax.com.au/tax/personal-tax/declare-foreign-income/

https://cleartax.com.au/tax/business/starting-a-business/

https://cleartax.com.au/tax/business-tax/are-you-ready-for-gst/