This free ATO compliance quiz helps Australian SMEs assess their tax compliance across 10 critical areas including BAS lodgement, GST, STP, and superannuation.
Get your compliance score and personalised recommendations to avoid penalties.
Answer 10 quick questions to assess your business's tax compliance level and get personalised recommendations
Takes 3-5 minutes
Purpose:
Designed for Australian small and medium enterprises (SMEs), startups, and business owners, this quick health check helps you assess your ATO compliance level across critical areas. Complete the 10-question quiz in 3-5 minutes to receive an instant compliance score and tailored recommendations. Ideal for identifying gaps before they become costly penalties or compliance issues.
Tips for Ongoing Use:
Bookmark this page (Ctrl+D or Cmd+D) for quarterly compliance reviews. We recommend completing this assessment every 3 months, particularly before BAS lodgement periods or when preparing for year-end. Regular use helps track your compliance improvements over time and ensures you're staying ahead of ATO requirements. Your progress is automatically saved, so you can return later if interrupted.
Understanding ATO Compliance Basics:
ATO compliance encompasses multiple obligations including BAS lodgement, GST reporting, Single Touch Payroll (STP), superannuation payments, proper record-keeping, and timely responses to ATO correspondence. Non-compliance can result in penalties ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, interest charges on late payments, and in serious cases, director penalty notices or audit action. The ATO estimates that proactive compliance saves Australian businesses over $2 billion annually in avoided penalties and interest.
Key Assessment Areas:
1. BAS Lodgement Frequency: Quarterly or monthly Business Activity Statement lodgement must be completed on time. Late lodgements incur penalties of $313 per statement (or $1,565 for large businesses). If you're frequently late, this is your highest-priority improvement area.
2. GST Registration: Businesses with turnover exceeding $75,000 must register for GST. Operating above the threshold without registration can result in retrospective GST liability plus penalties of up to 75% of the GST amount.
3. Single Touch Payroll (STP) Reporting: All employers (regardless of size as of 2022) must report payroll information to the ATO through STP-enabled software on or before each pay day. Non-compliance can result in penalties of up to $1,110 per 28-day period.
4. Superannuation Payments: Superannuation guarantee (currently 11.5% as of 2024-25) must be paid at least quarterly by the due dates. Late or unpaid super results in the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC), which is not tax-deductible and includes interest and administration fees.
5. Record Keeping: The ATO requires businesses to keep records for five years (including invoices, receipts, bank statements, and tax returns). Digital record-keeping systems are strongly recommended for accuracy, backup, and easy retrieval during audits.
6. Tax Invoices: All tax invoices must include specific information (ABN, GST amount, supplier and customer details). Incorrect invoices can result in GST credit denial for customers and penalties for your business.
7. Account Reconciliation: Regular bank reconciliations (monthly at minimum) ensure accuracy in reporting and help identify errors before lodgement. Unreconciled accounts increase audit risk and can indicate larger compliance issues.
8. Tax Deductions: Claiming all eligible deductions (while ensuring they're work-related and properly documented) maximizes your tax position. Working with a qualified accountant ensures you're not leaving money on the table while staying compliant.
9. ATO Correspondence: Responding to ATO notices within required timeframes (usually 14-28 days) is critical. Ignored correspondence can escalate to garnishee notices, director penalty notices, or legal action.
10. Professional Support: Engaging a registered BAS agent, bookkeeper, or accountant significantly reduces compliance risk. The ATO provides extended lodgement dates for businesses using registered tax agents.
Benefits for SMEs:
This health check helps you identify compliance weaknesses before the ATO does, saving you from penalties, interest charges, and audit stress. A strong compliance score (80+) gives you confidence and peace of mind. A lower score provides a clear roadmap for improvement. Regular assessments support better financial management, reduce anxiety around ATO obligations, and can save thousands in avoided penalties.
ATO Adherence:
For official guidance, visit the ATO Business Portal or contact Scale Suite for tailored compliance support. Always double check information to most up to date sources as rules change often.
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