What happens after you revise¶

You have found a mistake on a lodged Business Activity Statement (BAS), and you have revised the original statement to fix it. So what happens next? This lesson walks through what the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) does once your revised figures land, and what it means for your account.

The short version: your new figures take the place of the old ones for that period, the ATO works out again what you owe or are owed, and your account balance is adjusted to match. Depending on the change, that can leave you with an extra amount to pay, or a refund or credit coming back to you.

In one line

A revision replaces the figures for that period, the ATO reworks what you owe or are owed, and your account is adjusted — so you may end up paying more or getting a refund or credit.

Why this matters¶

A revision is not just paperwork — it changes real money. Knowing what the ATO does next means you are not caught out by an unexpected bill, and you know to look for a refund or credit when the change goes your way. It also helps you understand why an interest charge can sometimes appear on an amount you had underpaid.

What you will learn¶

How the ATO reworks your account after a revision
Why a revision can lead to an extra amount to pay or a refund or credit
That a general interest charge can apply to amounts that were underpaid

Understanding the concept¶

When you revise a statement, you lodge a corrected version of the exact statement you already lodged. The corrected figures replace the original figures for that period — the ATO does not add them on top or run them alongside the old ones.

Because the figures have changed, the ATO works out again what that period should have shown. It compares the new result with what you originally reported and what you have already paid, then adjusts your account balance so it reflects the corrected position.

That adjustment can go one of two ways:

You had underpaid. The revision shows the period owed more than you first reported. The extra amount is added to your account as something to pay.
You had overpaid. The revision shows the period owed less than you first reported, or that a credit was larger than you claimed. The difference comes back to you as a refund or a credit on your account.

The ATO also notes that a general interest charge can apply to an amount that was underpaid — that is, an amount you should have paid earlier but did not, because the original figures were too low. This lesson mentions the charge only as a concept; for how it is worked out, the ATO is the place to check.

Finally, keep a record of the change. Note what the mistake was, the period it was in, and how you fixed it. If a question ever comes up later, that record explains the correction.

For accountants & bookkeepers

Where a revised amount is accepted in full and made within the period of review, the revision is treated as a notice of amended assessment, with effect from the day the running balance account is adjusted. A revision that increases the net amount owed or reduces a credit is generally treated as a voluntary disclosure, which usually means more concessional treatment of any interest or penalties. A general interest charge can apply to a liability that remained unpaid after its original due date.

Example¶

Priya runs a small cafe. Last quarter she accidentally left a supplier's bill out of her figures, so she claimed too little GST and paid the ATO more than she needed to. She revises that quarter's statement with the bill included. The ATO reworks the period, sees she had overpaid, and puts the difference back on her account as a credit — money she can use against a future amount or have refunded.

Jordan runs a hardware business. He revises a quarter after realising he had left a large sale off his figures — so he had understated his GST and underpaid. The ATO reworks the period, finds the extra owing, and adds it to his account to pay. Because the amount was underpaid from the original due date, a general interest charge may also apply. Jordan keeps a short note of what he changed and why, in case it comes up later.

Common mistakes¶

Expecting the old and new figures to be added together — the revised figures replace the originals for that period.
Assuming a revision always means paying more — an overpayment comes back as a refund or credit.
Not keeping a record of the change, so there is nothing to explain the correction later.

How this works in myaccountant¶

In the app — when you revise an Activity Statement, myaccountant flags it as a revision of the original period and shows you the updated figures before you lodge. After it is processed, you can see the change reflected in that period's statement, so you can tell whether the revision left you with an amount to pay or a refund or credit.

Key points¶

A revision replaces the figures for that period — it does not add to them.
The ATO reworks what you owe or are owed and adjusts your account balance.
If you had underpaid, you get an extra amount to pay.
If you had overpaid, you get a refund or a credit.
A general interest charge can apply to an amount that was underpaid.
Keep a record of the mistake, the period, and how you fixed it.

Learn next¶

General information only — not tax, super or financial advice.

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