BAS (Business Activity Statement)

A BAS (Business Activity Statement) is the form Australian businesses lodge with the ATO to report and pay GST, PAYG withholding and other tax obligations. A BAS statement summarises what you collected and what you owe for the reporting period (monthly or quarterly). If you’re applying for business finance, lenders may also ask for BAS statements to confirm trading activity and cashflow.

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In plain terms: BAS helps show how your cashflow behaves and how much Working Capital you typically need between customer payments, supplier bills and tax dates.

BAS statement (what it shows)

GST collected and GST credits
PAYG withholding (if you have staff)
Net amount payable or refundable
The reporting period (monthly or quarterly)

Why BAS Matters

BAS supports tax compliance and gives lenders a “verified activity” snapshot. It can help assess Borrowing Capacity and Credit Limits without relying on a single statement or one-off month.

If you’re applying, BAS is commonly requested for Business Loans and other low-doc assessments, alongside bank statements and ATO history.

How BAS Works

You lodge BAS with the ATO on a schedule (monthly or quarterly).
It reports GST collected, PAYG withholding, and related obligations.
Lenders may request BAS copies to confirm trading activity and consistency.
It can support low-doc assessments where full financials aren’t available.
Clean, consistent BAS history can reduce delays on approvals.

Related Switchboard Resources

Official info: business.gov.au

What does BAS stand for?

BAS stands for Business Activity Statement. It’s the ATO form used to report key business taxes like GST and PAYG withholding for a set period.

What is a BAS statement used for?

It’s used to calculate what you owe (or are owed) for the reporting period and to record GST/PAYG activity. Lenders may also use it as proof of trading.

Is BAS lodged monthly or quarterly?

Many SMEs lodge quarterly, while some lodge monthly depending on ATO settings and turnover. Your BAS form shows the exact reporting period.

Why do lenders ask for BAS statements?

BAS helps confirm trading activity, GST flow and consistency over time. It’s a common “low-doc” check when full financials aren’t available.