Published: August 2025
The 2025-26 financial year brings critical compliance obligations for Australian small and medium enterprises. Missing tax deadlines can result in penalties ranging from $280 to $1,400 per late lodgement, plus general interest charges that compound daily. This comprehensive calendar ensures your business stays compliant whilst maximising cash flow opportunities.
Australian businesses face over 40 different tax obligations throughout the financial year, from monthly BAS statements to annual tax returns. The Australian Taxation Office processed over 15 million individual tax returns and 2.8 million business activity statements in the previous financial year, with late lodgement penalties totalling $450 million.
1 July 2025
7 July 2025
14 July 2025
21 July 2025
28 July 2025
July marks the busiest compliance month for Australian businesses. Prioritise FBT obligations first, as these carry the highest penalties. Ensure all employee payment summaries are issued before focusing on BAS lodgements. Many businesses benefit from lodging their annual FBT return early to avoid the 28 July rush.
7 August 2025
21 August 2025
31 August 2025
August provides breathing room for year-end planning. Review your tax position and consider timing of deductible expenses. The TPAR deadline affects construction, cleaning, courier, road freight transport, information technology, security investigation or surveillance services, and mixed services businesses.
7 September 2025
21 September 2025
September is ideal for reviewing quarterly BAS obligations before the October deadline. Consider accelerating deductible purchases or deferring income to optimise your tax position for the first quarter.
7 October 2025
21 October 2025
28 October 2025
31 October 2025
October represents the year's most critical compliance period. Self-preparing individuals and businesses face multiple concurrent deadlines. Consider engaging a registered tax agent to access extended lodgement dates and avoid the October rush.
7 November 2025
21 November 2025
November offers opportunity to review your tax processes and identify improvements for the remainder of the financial year. Assess whether monthly or quarterly BAS reporting better suits your business operations.
7 December 2025
21 December 2025
31 December 2025
December is crucial for tax planning. Consider asset purchases, superannuation contributions, and income timing strategies. Division 7A compliance requires attention for company shareholders with outstanding loans.
7 January 2026
21 January 2026
28 January 2026
January quarterly BAS includes Christmas trading period for many businesses. Ensure accurate GST treatment of staff bonuses and entertainment expenses during the holiday period.
Use our free GST calculator here
7 February 2026
21 February 2026
28 February 2026
February provides opportunity for mid-year financial review. Assess budget performance and adjust tax strategies for the remainder of the financial year.
7 March 2026
21 March 2026
31 March 2026
March 31 marks the FBT year end. Review employee benefits and consider timing of benefit provisions. Minor benefits under $300 remain exempt from FBT when provided infrequently and irregularly.
7 April 2026
21 April 2026
28 April 2026
Quarter 3 BAS includes the full FBT year impact. Ensure FBT liabilities are accurately calculated and consider cash flow implications for upcoming FBT obligations.
7 May 2026
15 May 2026
21 May 2026
May demonstrates the value of engaging registered tax agents, who receive extended lodgement dates for company returns. This provides additional time for tax planning and compliance preparation.
7 June 2026
21 June 2026
30 June 2026
June 30 represents the final opportunity for tax planning strategies. Consider asset purchases, expense timing, and superannuation contributions. Ensure superannuation guarantee payments are made by the quarterly deadline to claim tax deductions.
BAS due dates depend on your reporting cycle. Monthly BAS is due by the 21st of the following month. Quarterly BAS is due by the 28th of the month following each quarter: 28 October 2025 (Q1), 28 January 2026 (Q2), 28 April 2026 (Q3), and 28 July 2026 (Q4). Annual BAS is due by 31 October 2026.
Missing tax deadlines results in automatic penalties. Late lodgement penalties start at $280 for small businesses and increase based on delay length and business size. General interest charges apply daily on outstanding amounts. The ATO may also impose additional penalties for repeated non-compliance.
Your BAS lodgement cycle depends on your GST turnover and business circumstances. Businesses with GST turnover of $20 million or more must lodge monthly. Smaller businesses typically lodge quarterly, though you can voluntarily choose monthly lodgement for better cash flow management.
Individual tax returns for the 2025-26 financial year are due by 31 October 2026 if self-preparing. Using a registered tax agent provides extended lodgement dates, typically until 15 May 2027, allowing more time for tax planning and preparation.
The FBT year runs from 1 April to 31 March, separate from the income tax financial year. The FBT year ending 31 March 2026 requires returns and payments by 21 May 2026. Planning should commence in February 2026 to ensure compliance.
PAYG instalments are quarterly prepayments towards your annual tax liability, due with your quarterly BAS. The ATO calculates instalment amounts based on previous year tax assessments and current year income variations. You can vary instalments if circumstances change significantly.
Australian businesses must retain tax records for five years from the date of lodgement or transaction completion. Essential records include receipts, invoices, bank statements, payroll records, asset registers, and BAS worksheets. Digital storage is acceptable provided records remain accessible and legible.
Tax returns can be lodged from 1 July 2026 once the ATO processing systems open. Early lodgement can accelerate refund processing but may require amendment if year-end adjustments are identified later. Consider engaging professional assistance for complex situations.
The 2025-26 financial year maintains existing tax rates and thresholds established in previous years. Key focus areas include enhanced ATO data matching capabilities, continued emphasis on cash economy compliance, and digital service obligations for larger businesses.
Strategic cash flow management involves timing deductible expenses, managing BAS cycles, and utilising tax agent extensions where beneficial. Consider quarterly BAS variations for seasonal businesses and maintain adequate cash reserves for major deadline months like October and July.
Scale Suite specialises in comprehensive business management solutions for Australian small and medium enterprises. Our integrated approach ensures your business stays compliant whilst maximising growth opportunities.
Our experienced team provides year-round tax compliance support, including BAS preparation, and PAYG management. We help businesses navigate complex ATO requirements whilst identifying legitimate tax savings opportunities.
Scale Suite's BAS services ensure accurate and timely lodgements, with cash flow optimisation strategies tailored to your business cycle. Our monthly review process identifies potential issues before they become costly problems.
Multi-state payroll tax obligations require specialist knowledge. Scale Suite manages payroll tax compliance across all Australian jurisdictions, ensuring accurate calculations and timely lodgements whilst minimising administrative burden.
Beyond compliance, Scale Suite can also provide strategic advisory services including business structure optimisation, succession planning, and growth strategy development. Our holistic approach ensures this supports broader business objectives.
Scale Suite delivers finance and human resource services to support the growth of Australian businesses. Our Sydney-based team creates custom packages tailored to your needs, seamlessly integrating with your existing teams. From comprehensive finance services and strategic business support to recruitment and HR services, we reduce costs, save time, and help you scale confidently.
Ready to stop wasting time on finance & HR tasks and start focusing on growth?
Our business experts will assess your current setup and show you exactly how much time and money you could save with our tailored services.
No lock-in contracts and a 30 day money back guarantee. We help you choose only the services that fit your business needs and you pay for exactly what you use. Pause our services at any time.
