Changing how you report¶

The way you report GST is not fixed forever. As your business grows or shrinks, you can move between reporting methods — such as full reporting, Simpler BAS, or GST instalments — and between reporting cycles — monthly, quarterly or annually.

Some of these changes happen on their own, based on your turnover. Others are choices you make. This lesson explains the difference and where you set it.

In one line

Some reporting changes happen automatically as your turnover changes; others you choose, usually near the start of a financial year, in your accounting software or the ATO's online services.

Why this matters¶

If your sales rise or fall, the reporting method that suited you last year may not be the right one now. Knowing which changes are automatic and which are up to you means you are never caught out — you report the right way, at the right frequency, without doing more work than you need to.

What you will learn¶

The ways you can move between GST reporting methods and cycles
Which changes happen automatically and which you choose
Where you set your reporting method

Understanding the concept¶

There are two things that can change: the method you report with, and the cycle (how often you report).

Changes that happen automatically. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) bases some of this on your turnover:

Simpler BAS is the default for small businesses with a GST turnover below $10 million.
If your GST turnover reaches $10 million or more, the ATO moves you to the full reporting method from the start of the next financial year.
If your turnover falls below $10 million, you can contact the ATO to update it, and they move you to Simpler BAS from the start of your next tax period.

Your reporting method is generally rolled over at the end of each financial year based on your turnover, so you do not have to keep asking.

Changes you choose. Some moves are up to you:

Choosing GST instalments if you are eligible — paying an amount the ATO works out each quarter and reporting your actual GST once a year.
Changing your cycle between monthly, quarterly and annually, within the rules for your turnover. For example, some businesses choose to report monthly even when they are not required to.

Timing matters for choices. The ATO explains that if you make the change early in the lodgment period — such as the first month of the quarter, or at the start of the financial year — the new arrangement can generally start straight away. If you make it later, it usually takes effect from the start of the next quarter or year. That is why many businesses make these changes near 1 July.

Where you set it. You set your reporting method and cycle in your accounting software or through the ATO's online services. The ATO also lets you phone them to make some changes and confirm your eligibility.

For accountants & bookkeepers

Small businesses (or their registered agent) can request a change to their reporting and payment cycle through Online services for business or Online services for agents; sole traders can do so through Online services for agents, by contacting the ATO, or in writing. Turnover thresholds set the cycle: monthly where GST turnover is $20 million or more, quarterly where it is under $20 million and the ATO has not required monthly, and annually where the business is voluntarily registered and under the registration turnover threshold. Eligibility to keep reporting annually is assessed as at 31 July each year. For an election to change the reporting period, timing around 28 October affects whether the change takes effect from the previous or the following 1 July.

Example¶

Jordan runs a small building-supplies business. For years his GST turnover sat comfortably below $10 million, so he reported under Simpler BAS and lodged each quarter. He never had to ask for this — it was the default for a business his size.

One year Jordan lands several big contracts and his turnover climbs past $10 million. He does not need to organise the switch himself: the ATO moves him to the full reporting method from the start of the next financial year. Jordan updates the setting in his accounting software to match, and from 1 July he reports the extra detail the full method asks for.

A couple of years later the big contracts end and Jordan's turnover drops back below $10 million. This time Jordan contacts the ATO to update his turnover, and they move him back to Simpler BAS from the start of his next tax period — less detail to report each quarter again. Sam, his bookkeeper, makes the change near the start of the financial year so the new arrangement can start straight away.

Common mistakes¶

Assuming every change is automatic. Turnover-based moves happen on their own, but choosing GST instalments or changing your cycle is up to you.
Leaving a change too late in the period. If you want it to start now, make it early — otherwise it usually applies from the next quarter or year.
Changing the setting in your software but not with the ATO (or the other way around). The two should match so your reporting lines up.
Thinking your method is locked in for good. It can change as your turnover changes.

How this works in myaccountant¶

In the app — myaccountant reports your GST under the reporting method you have chosen with the ATO, and it reflects a change of method when your reporting arrangement with the ATO changes. So when you move between methods or cycles, the app follows the arrangement you have set.

Key points¶

You can move between reporting methods (full reporting, Simpler BAS, GST instalments) and cycles (monthly, quarterly, annually).
Turnover-based changes happen automatically — reaching $10 million moves you to full reporting from the next financial year; falling below can move you back to Simpler BAS.
Choosing GST instalments or changing your cycle is a decision you make.
Making a change near the start of the financial year usually lets it start straight away.
You set your method and cycle in your accounting software or the ATO's online services.

Learn next¶

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

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