The Simpler BAS GST labels¶

A business activity statement (BAS) has boxes on it called labels. Each label is a number you fill in. Under Simpler BAS, the goods and services tax (GST) part of your statement uses only three of those labels, so there is much less to complete.

Those three labels are G1 (total sales), 1A (GST on sales) and 1B (GST on purchases). That is the whole GST story under Simpler BAS.

In one line

Under Simpler BAS you complete only three GST labels — G1 total sales, 1A GST on sales and 1B GST on purchases — and you skip the rest.

Why this matters¶

The old style of BAS asked for several extra GST breakdowns, which was slow and easy to get wrong. Knowing that Simpler BAS only needs three GST numbers means you can prepare your statement faster and worry less about the boxes you are allowed to leave blank.

What you will learn¶

The three GST labels you complete under Simpler BAS
Which GST labels you no longer complete
That PAYG labels still apply if they are relevant to you

Understanding the concept¶

Under Simpler BAS, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) asks for just three GST figures:

G1 — Total sales. The total of what you sold for the period.
1A — GST on sales. The GST included in the sales you made.
1B — GST on purchases. The GST included in the purchases you can claim.

The ATO confirms you do not complete these other GST labels:

G2 — Export sales
G3 — Other GST-free sales
G10 — Capital purchases
G11 — Non-capital purchases

Because those four labels are gone, there is no GST calculation worksheet to fill in, and the statement is much shorter.

One thing to keep in mind: Simpler BAS changes only the GST part of your statement. If you also have PAYG withholding (tax you take out of employee pay) or a PAYG instalment (a pre-payment towards your own income tax), those labels still apply and you still complete them. Simpler BAS does not remove them.

For accountants & bookkeepers

Simpler BAS is the ATO's default GST reporting method for businesses with a GST turnover under the full-reporting threshold. The GST labels reduce to G1, 1A and 1B; G2, G3, G10 and G11 are not reported, and there is no requirement to lodge a GST calculation worksheet. Non-GST roles on the same statement are unaffected — for example PAYG withholding sits at W1 and W2, and a PAYG instalment sits at its own instalment labels. Those are completed as usual where the client is registered for them.

Example¶

Priya runs a small florist. Her GST turnover is well under the threshold, so she is on Simpler BAS. When she prepares her quarterly statement, she fills in three GST numbers only: G1 for her total sales for the quarter, 1A for the GST included in those sales, and 1B for the GST on the flowers, wrapping and supplies she bought and can claim. She leaves the export and capital-purchase labels blank, because Simpler BAS does not ask for them.

Priya also employs one part-time assistant, so she takes tax out of that pay. That PAYG withholding still goes on the same statement at its own labels — Simpler BAS did not change that part. So her statement is short on the GST side, but still reports the tax she withheld.

Common mistakes¶

Trying to fill in G2, G3, G10 or G11 — under Simpler BAS you leave these blank.
Thinking Simpler BAS removes PAYG withholding or PAYG instalment labels — it does not; those still apply if they are relevant to you.
Assuming "fewer labels" means you pay less GST — the labels are simpler, but the GST you owe is worked out the same way.

How this works in myaccountant¶

In the app — when your business is on Simpler BAS, myaccountant shows the reduced set of GST labels on your activity statement — G1, 1A and 1B — and does not ask you for the labels you are not required to complete. If you also have PAYG withholding or a PAYG instalment, those labels appear on the same statement.

Key points¶

Under Simpler BAS you complete only three GST labels — G1, 1A and 1B.
G1 is total sales, 1A is GST on sales, and 1B is GST on purchases.
You do not complete G2, G3, G10 or G11.
There is no GST calculation worksheet under Simpler BAS.
PAYG withholding and PAYG instalment labels still apply if they are relevant to you.

Learn next¶

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

Did this answer your question?