Insights · GST and BAS ·
Missed the BAS due date? What to do in the next few days
The July to September quarterly BAS is due 28 October 2026 for businesses that lodge it themselves on paper or by the standard date. If that date has crept up on you, it’s fixable. What you do in the next few days matters far more than the date you missed.
1. Check which date is actually yours
Before you worry, check your own due date. If a registered tax or BAS agent lodges electronically for you, the July to September 2026 quarter may be due 25 November 2026 under the agent lodgment program. The ATO also says businesses that lodge online themselves may get an extra two weeks. The date printed on your activity statement is the one that counts. All the dates are in our 2026–27 BAS and tax calendar.
2. Lodge, even if you can’t pay
Lodging and paying are two separate things. The ATO’s consistent message is to lodge on time even when you can’t pay in full. A lodged BAS stops the late-lodgment penalty building, shows the ATO what you owe, and is the starting point for a payment plan. A nil BAS still needs to be lodged.
3. Know what the penalty actually is
The ATO’s failure to lodge on time penalty is one penalty unit for every 28 days (or part of 28 days) a statement is overdue, capped at five units. For lodgments due on or after 1 July 2026, a penalty unit is $364.
| How late | Small business (individuals and small withholders) |
|---|---|
| Up to 28 days | $364 |
| 29 to 56 days | $728 |
| 57 to 84 days | $1,092 |
| 85 to 112 days | $1,456 |
| 113 days or more | $1,820 (maximum) |
The amount is doubled for a medium withholder and multiplied by five for a large withholder, based on the size of the business when the statement was due. The ATO also says it generally doesn’t apply penalties in isolated cases of late lodgment, and that it will warn you by phone or in writing first. If a registered agent lodges for you, safe harbour rules may apply.
4. Interest runs on what’s unpaid
Separately from the penalty, the general interest charge (GIC) accrues daily on any amount not paid by the due date. Since 1 July 2025, GIC is no longer tax deductible, so an ATO balance costs more to carry than it used to. If you can’t clear it, a payment plan is usually the next step. The ATO says businesses owing $200,000 or less may be able to set one up themselves online. Our guide owe the ATO? what to do next covers the options.
5. Company directors: don’t let PAYG or super sit unreported
For companies, unpaid PAYG withholding and super guarantee can become a personal problem for directors. If those amounts are not reported within three months of their due date, the usual ways of limiting a director penalty notice can fall away. Reporting on time keeps more options open. See director penalty notices explained.
6. Fix the habit before the next one
Most late BAS comes down to two things: bookkeeping that isn’t reconciled when the date arrives, and GST and PAYG money that was spent instead of set aside. Two small changes help most:
- A separate tax account. Move GST and PAYG withholding across as money comes in. See cash flow and BAS habits and how much tax to set aside.
- A monthly close. Reconcile the bank every month so the quarter is mostly done before it ends. The month-end close checklist takes you through it.
The next quarter, October to December, is due 28 February 2027 and lands straight after the Christmas cash squeeze. The Christmas shutdown cash flow plan helps you get there with the money set aside.
Quick answers
What is the penalty for lodging a BAS late?
The ATO’s failure to lodge on time penalty is one penalty unit for every 28 days (or part of 28 days) a statement is overdue, up to five units, for individuals and small withholders. A penalty unit is $364 for lodgments due on or after 1 July 2026. It is doubled for medium withholders and multiplied by five for large withholders. The ATO says it generally doesn’t apply penalties in isolated cases of late lodgment and warns you first.
Should I lodge my BAS if I can’t pay it?
Yes. The ATO’s consistent message is to lodge on time even if you can’t pay in full. Lodging stops the late-lodgment penalty building, and a payment plan can then be set up for the amount owing.
Is the 28 October BAS date the real deadline for everyone?
No. If a registered tax or BAS agent lodges electronically for you, the July to September 2026 quarter may be due 25 November 2026 under the agent lodgment program, and the ATO says businesses that lodge online themselves may get an extra two weeks. The date on your own activity statement is the one that counts.
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Sources
- ATO: Failure to lodge on time penalty
- ASIC: Penalty unit values
- ATO: Due dates for lodging and paying your BAS
Related
Related reading: ATO interest (GIC) is 11.51%
General information only. This doesn’t take your circumstances into account and isn’t tax, financial or legal advice. Penalty amounts are from ATO and ASIC published information as at October 2026. 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).