BAS and reporting
Online services for business
Online services for business is the ATO's secure portal where businesses can lodge BAS, view accounts, update details and communicate with the ATO digitally.
Online services for business is the ATO's secure online portal for business tax matters. It allows business owners and their authorised representatives to lodge activity statements, view account balances and transactions, update contact and registration details, manage payment plans, and read messages from the ATO. It sits alongside other ATO channels for individuals and tax professionals.
Access depends on how you set up your digital identity. Sole traders commonly access the ATO's business services through myGov linked to the ATO, while other entities such as companies and trusts use a business identity with authorised users appointed through the Australian Business Register. Setting up the right access takes a little effort, but it saves a great deal of time later and reduces the risk of missing ATO communications.
Within the portal, you can see which statements are due, which have been lodged and which are overdue. You can see your running account, including debits, credits and any general interest charge. You can also request a lodgment extension, vary some obligations, check your GST registration details, and see what your registered agent has lodged. It is a useful place to check your position.
Many businesses never log in directly. They rely on accounting software connected through the ATO's digital services, or on a registered tax agent or BAS agent. Even so, it is wise for the owner to have access. If your agent stops acting or your software link fails, you can still see your obligations and lodge if needed. Review your authorised contacts periodically so only the right people can act for you.
Security matters. Never share your login with others outside your authorised arrangements, and be careful of scam messages claiming to be from the ATO. The ATO does not ask you to provide passwords by email or text. If something looks suspicious, do not click links, and instead log in through the official channel or call the ATO. Keep your contact details up to date so alerts reach you.
Online services also hold a record of your lodgments, which is handy evidence of timeliness and a way to detect missed statements. Keep your own records for five years as well. This is general information only, so confirm any specific questions with the ATO or a registered tax professional.
Worked example
Tara, a sole trader, links her myGov account to the ATO and uses online services for business to check her account. She sees her June quarter BAS is due and that $2,300 net GST is payable. She lodges through the portal, pays by BPAY using the reference, then returns the next day to confirm the statement shows as lodged and the balance reads $0.
Practical tips
- Set up your access before you need it, and make sure the owner can log in even if an agent does most of the work.
- Review the list of authorised users and agents regularly and remove anyone who no longer acts for you.
- Be cautious of unexpected messages asking for log-in details, and use the official ATO channel instead.