Insights · Cash flow · 27 October 2026

The Christmas shutdown cash flow plan

For a lot of Queensland businesses, December looks busy and January looks empty. Wages, leave, super and the February BAS all land while invoices sit unpaid on someone else’s desk. A few decisions made in early November make the whole period calmer.

1. Map the next 13 weeks now

Write down every week from now to the end of January: cash in (by customer, by realistic payment date) and cash out (wages, super, rent, suppliers, loan repayments, tax). The weeks where your customers close and you don’t are where the gap shows up. Our 13-week cash flow forecast guide has the layout.

2. Bill early and chase before the break

Invoice completed work the day it is done, not at month-end. A December invoice issued late may not be paid until February.
Call your top ten debtors in November, ask when their last payment run is before Christmas, and get on it.
For progress-claim work, put your final pre-Christmas claim in early. See GST on progress claims and retentions and security of payment in Queensland.

3. Plan wages, leave and super

You can only direct staff to take annual leave over a shutdown if their award or agreement allows it (or, for staff not covered by an award, if it is reasonable), and the Fair Work Ombudsman says affected employees generally need at least 28 days’ written notice. If you plan to close, decide now. Then plan the money:

Payday Super: from 1 July 2026, super must be received by the fund within 7 business days after each payday. Public holidays that apply across a whole state, such as Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, are not business days, but the ATO is clear there is no extension when payments are rejected or delayed. Paying super with wages is the safest habit.
Leave paid in advance means a big pay run in December and a quiet one in January. Put both in the forecast.

4. Know your next tax dates

The October–December quarterly BAS is due 28 February 2027, with no further agent extension. Monthly reporters lodge December by 21 January (or 21 February for eligible businesses up to $10 million using an agent). Put the GST and PAYG withholding you collect in December into a separate account as it comes in. All dates are in our 2026–27 due date calendar.

5. Parties and gifts: watch the FBT

A party on your premises on a working day for current staff only is generally FBT-exempt for the food and drink. Off-site events, partners and gifts are generally exempt only as minor benefits, under $300 per person and not provided often. Exempt entertainment is also not tax-deductible. See Christmas parties, gifts and FBT.

6. Talk to the bank before you need it

If the forecast shows a January gap, ask about an overdraft limit or timing on loan repayments in November, with the forecast in hand. Asking early, with numbers, gets a better conversation than asking on 20 January.

Want the one-page version? Download the Christmas and January cash flow checklist (PDF, PRM).

Quick answers

When is the December quarter BAS due?

28 February 2027 for the October to December 2026 quarter. There is no further agent extension for this quarter.

Do public holidays count for Payday Super?

A day that is a public holiday for a whole state or territory is not a business day for the 7 business day timeframe, according to the ATO.

Can I make staff take annual leave over Christmas?

It depends on the award or agreement. Check the Fair Work Ombudsman guidance on shutdowns before you direct anyone to take leave.

Download · PDFThe Christmas and January cash flow checklist: 7 sections, one page each side, PRM branded. Print it and tick it off.

Get the checklist

Want this looked at for your business?

Book a 15-minute Financial Health Check with Tereza, PRM’s practice manager. We look at cash flow, tax, the business, mortgage, insurance and super in one go. Short on time? Grab a 5-minute quick chat, or send us a message.

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Sources

General information only. This doesn’t take your circumstances into account and isn’t tax, financial or legal advice. Talk to your accountant or registered tax agent before acting. PRM is not a registered tax agent; tax agent services are provided by Australian Tax & Super Pty Ltd (TPB 25291395).