Balaana tags every invoice and every expense with its GST treatment at the moment you enter it. So when the quarter closes there is nothing to reconstruct — the figures for G1, 1A and 1B are already added up, and lodging is a matter of copying them across. GST tracking and the BAS summary are both on the free plan.
Which BAS boxes Balaana fills
| Label | What it is | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| G1 | Total sales, including GST | Every invoice you issued in the period |
| 1A | GST on sales — what you owe the ATO | The GST line on those invoices |
| 1B | GST on purchases — what you claim back | The GST on your recorded expenses |
| G3 | GST-free sales | Invoice lines you marked GST-free |
If you also withhold tax for employees or report PAYG instalments, those labels are not part of Balaana — we do not do payroll. Everything on the GST side of the statement is covered.
Cash or accruals
Most small businesses account for GST on a cash basis: you report the GST in the quarter the money actually moves, not the quarter you issued the invoice. Balaana supports both bases and, on cash, only counts an invoice once it is marked paid — which is what stops you paying GST on money a client has not sent you yet.
Not registered for GST?
Turn it off. Under the $75,000 turnover threshold you do not have to register, and Balaana then leaves GST off your invoices and out of your reports entirely. It will tell you when your rolling twelve-month turnover approaches the threshold, because that is the point at which registration becomes compulsory and it is easy to miss.
What Balaana does not do
It does not lodge for you. Balaana prepares the figures; you or your registered BAS or tax agent lodge them with the ATO through the Business Portal, myGov or your agent's software. Balaana is bookkeeping software, not a registered agent, and nothing here is personal tax advice.
Related
- What is a BAS? — who lodges, what goes in, when
- GST calculator — add or remove GST from any figure
- Expenses and receipts — the 1B side of the ledger
Frequently asked questions
For standard quarterly reporting the statements are due on 28 October, 28 February, 28 April and 28 July for the quarters ending September, December, March and June. Lodging through a registered agent usually earns extra time. Balaana shows your next due date on the dashboard.
No. It prepares the figures and lays them out against the labels on the form, but lodgement is done by you or your registered BAS or tax agent. Balaana is bookkeeping software, not a registered agent.
Most small businesses use cash, which means you account for GST in the period the money actually moves — so you are never paying GST on an invoice a client has not paid. Balaana supports both; which one you are eligible for depends on your turnover, so check with your accountant.
When your GST turnover reaches $75,000 in a rolling twelve-month period, or straight away if you drive for a ride-sourcing or taxi service. Balaana warns you as your rolling turnover approaches the threshold so registration does not sneak up on you.