Are you ready to lodge your BAS?
Run through 12 essential checks — bank reconciliation, invoices, payroll, super, PAYG and GST — and get an instant readiness score with a clear list of anything that still needs attention before you lodge.
~2 minutes · 12 checks · No login to start
About this tool
BAS Lodgement Readiness Checker
For most Australian small businesses, the Business Activity Statement (BAS) comes around with relentless regularity, and the scramble to get the books in order before lodgement is a familiar quarterly ritual. The problem is rarely the statement itself — it's everything that has to be true before you can lodge with confidence: bank feeds reconciled, invoices entered, payroll and super current, GST and PAYG figures that actually add up. When those foundations are shaky, errors creep in, deadlines get tight, and lodging becomes a stressful guess rather than a routine sign-off. The BAS Lodgement Readiness Checker is a free, plain-English self-assessment that walks you through the essentials so you know, before you lodge, whether your books are genuinely ready or whether something still needs attention.
How it works
The tool runs you through twelve yes/no checks covering the areas that determine whether a BAS can be lodged cleanly — bank reconciliation, sales and purchase invoices entered, payroll processed, superannuation paid, PAYG withholding reconciled, GST private-use adjustments, fuel tax credits, bad debts, asset purchases, expense documentation, the previous BAS being paid, and a final review of the statement for accuracy. Each check carries a short hint explaining what "done" looks like. It then produces a readiness score — the share of the twelve checks you've marked complete — banded into ready, almost ready, or not ready, alongside a clear list of exactly which items still need work before you lodge. It also shows the next standard quarterly BAS due date, calculated from the current date rather than hardcoded, with a note that monthly lodgers and those lodging through a registered agent may have different dates. It doesn't touch your accounting data or calculate any tax figures — it's a preparation checklist, not a lodgement tool.
Who it’s for
Australian small business owners, bookkeepers and office managers who want a quick, honest pre-lodgement check that their books are actually BAS-ready before they submit.
- A BAS is only as reliable as the bookkeeping behind it — reconciliation, invoices, payroll, super, PAYG and GST all need to be current before you lodge, and this tool checks all twelve in about two minutes.
- You get a readiness score plus a specific list of what still needs attention, so you're not left guessing whether you're genuinely ready or just hoping.
- The next standard quarterly BAS due date is worked out from today's date, with a clear reminder that monthly lodgers and businesses using a registered BAS or tax agent often have different deadlines — always confirm yours with the ATO.
Frequently asked questions
Does this tool lodge my BAS or connect to my accounting software?
No. It's a readiness self-assessment, not a lodgement service. It doesn't connect to your accounting system, read your figures, or submit anything to the ATO. You answer twelve questions based on what you know about your own books, and it tells you whether you're prepared to lodge and what's still outstanding. You lodge through the ATO Business Portal, your accounting software, or your registered BAS or tax agent as usual.
When is my BAS actually due?
The tool shows the next standard quarterly self-lodgement deadline, calculated from today's date. But your date can differ: monthly lodgers report more frequently, and if you lodge through a registered BAS or tax agent you'll usually get a concessional later date. The result links straight through to the ATO's due-dates page so you can confirm the deadline that applies to your business and lodgement method.
What counts as being BAS-ready?
Broadly, it means the underlying records are complete and accurate: your bank accounts are reconciled, all sales and purchase invoices are entered, payroll is processed and PAYG withholding reconciled, super is paid, GST has been adjusted for any private use, and the statement has been reviewed before lodgement. The twelve checks map to exactly these areas. Clearing every item doesn't replace advice from your accountant, but it means the numbers you're about to lodge rest on solid ground.
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