Tax Lodgement

BAS (Business Activity Statement), income tax, and superannuation lodgement obligations and current status.

Monthly GST/BAS Lodgement

Obligation: All GST-registered businesses must lodge a BAS monthly (by 21st of following month).

Components:

• Sales (turnover) — all revenue including GST
• GST collected (Tax) — GST on sales
• GST paid (Input Tax Credit) — GST on purchases
• Net GST payable to ATO
• Income tax withholding (if applicable; Pride may have PAYG obligations)

Frequency: Monthly (calendar months Jan–Dec)

Due date: 21st of month following the month being reported (e.g., March BAS due 21 April)

Current status: Lodged by Mat or bookkeeper; compliance status unknown due to bookkeeper departure (November 2025). Flag: Verify recent BAS lodgements and identify any arrears.

Data source: Xero reconciliation and bank statements.

Annual Income Tax Return

Obligation: Sole traders and partnerships lodge annual tax return by 30 June (tax year 1 July – 30 June).

For Pride (incorporated company): Company tax return due by 30 June (FY26 return due 30 June 2026).

Components:

• Net income (revenue minus deductible expenses)
• Tax liability (at 30% corporate tax rate, or 26% small business rate if eligible)
• Franking credits (dividends received, if any)
• Losses (if loss-making year)

Recent filings: Unknown status; Mat responsible for coordination with accountant or tax agent. Flag: Verify FY25 and FY24 returns are filed; identify any arrears.

Superannuation Lodgement

Obligation: Employers must lodge superannuation contributions for employees quarterly (due within 28 days of quarter end).

For Pride:

• Quarterly super contributions withheld from payroll (Xero calculates)
• Paid to employee superannuation funds
• ABA file generated and uploaded to each fund

Current status: Processed through Xero payroll. Deputy clock-in/out data feeds payroll via manual entry (not automated); potential for errors.

Lodgement: ABA file uploaded to super fund. Compliance status unknown.

Payroll Tax (Victorian)

Possible obligation: Employers with annual payroll >$650,000 may be subject to Victorian payroll tax (2.25% on payroll >$650,000 threshold).

For Pride: Estimated FY25 payroll ~$293,000 (Xero account 477), well below threshold. No payroll tax obligation unless payroll expands significantly.

Other Tax Obligations

Land tax (Victoria): Applicable to real estate; Pride is a tenant (rent $1,700/week). Landlord responsible.

Property tax/council rates: Landlord responsible.

Liquor licence taxes: Included in licence renewal fees; not separate tax.

Compliance Risks and Gaps

1. Bookkeeper role filled (Apr 2026): Shae (Director) has taken on permanent pro bono bookkeeper responsibilities. BAS and tax return processing now covered. System designed for ~1hr/week via automation. Coordination with new accounting firm (post-Collins & Co) for quarterly BAS and annual returns.

2. ATO audit risk: With revenue >$250,000 YTD (estimated), Pride is above the ATO risk profile for hospitality venues. Historical data quality issues (3 years overdue lodgements, bookkeeper gap Nov 2025–Apr 2026) increase audit risk. Shae now managing Xero data quality and reconciliation.

3. Cash accounting: If Pride uses cash basis (rather than accrual) for tax reporting, but Xero is on accrual, timing differences may create discrepancies that trigger ATO queries.

4. GST classification: Unclear whether entertainment services are GST-free or standard-rated. Verify with tax agent; incorrect GST treatment could trigger ATO adjustment.

Professional Support

Current arrangement: Accountant or tax agent engaged (contact and engagement status unknown). Recommend formalising engagement with clear scope: BAS preparation, annual return, payroll tax review, superannuation compliance.

Bookkeeper hiring: Must include responsibility for:

• Monthly BAS calculation and lodgement (or pass to tax agent)
• Quarterly super contributions and lodgement
• Year-end reconciliation and tax return coordination

Timeline (FY26, ending 30 June 2026)

• Monthly: BAS lodgement (due 21st of following month) — Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun 2026
• 30 June 2026: End of financial year
• 30 October 2026: FY26 annual tax return due (4-month grace period)

Current status: Verify BAS lodgements up to date and FY25 return filed.

Related Pages

• Compliance Obligations — full regulatory framework
• GST Treatment — GST classification and monthly BAS components
• Financial Reporting — P&L and tax basis reconciliation
• Xero — payroll and tax calculation system
• Staffing Model — payroll and superannuation context