What is a bas agent, and why do you need one?

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Bookkeepers are employed to look after the books and that’s pretty much it. Registered BAS Agents, however, are able to represent, advise, or assist their employer with certain matters – things bookkeepers are not allowed to do. These include GST, wine taxes, fuel taxes, luxury car taxes, FBT payments, all aspects of payroll relating to withholding tax amounts and reporting those amounts to the Tax office, any other PAYG withholding amounts, and all aspects of income tax payments via PAYG instalments. If your business requires representation from the Tax office on these matters, a BAS agent is required. 

We want you to really understand the value that we bring to your business as a BAS Agent, and why we charge a lodgement fee for us to prepare and lodge your BAS. 

Not to mention that we are 

✅registered with the tax board, 

✅qualified, 

✅insured and 

✅backed by our industry association... 

here's what we believe are the 5 main benefits to engaging with us!

Safe Harbour

If you lodge your own BAS then you can get in trouble if there are mistakes or it’s overdue. You

might even have to pay fines. If we lodge for you as your BAS Agent then you are safe.

https://www.tpb.gov.au/safe-harbour

BAS Agent Lodgement Program

If you lodge your own then you have to lodge and pay by the due date, but as your BAS Agent we get

an automatic extension giving you more time.

https://www.ato.gov.au/tax-professionals/prepare-and-lodge/bas-agent-lodgment-program/

Code of Conduct

Anyone can call themselves a bookkeeper and they don’t have to play by the rules, unlike your BAS

Agent; if you feel like we aren’t honest, independent, confidential or competent, the TPB have got

your back. You can call them anytime if you’re not happy.

https://www.tpb.gov.au/comply-code-professional-conduct-for-BAS-agents

Registration Requirements

To get registered a BAS Agent needs to be qualified, and experienced. 1400 hours supervised

experience lodging BAS in the past 4 years, a minimum of a Cert IV in bookkeeping, insurance,

membership with a professional body and doing ongoing study (CPE) every year. This minimum

standard will help you sleep at night.

https://www.tpb.gov.au/qualifications-and-experience-bas-agents

Continuing professional education (CPE)

To make sure your BAS Agent knows their stuff, the TPB ask them to study a whopping 90 hours

every three years and give evidence that they are keeping their knowledge and skills up to date

through taking relevant courses.

BAS Agents spend time, money and tonnes of brain-power doing seminars, webinars, workshops,

courses and other educational activities like research, writing and presentations.

https://searchregister.tpb.gov.au/TPB/Obligations/CPE

This should help you to understand and value our contribution to your business success, and sleep

easy at night knowing that we have all bases covered.

As a Business Owner, if you are wanting your contract Bookkeeper to complete and undertake BAS services, it is your responsibility that you engage a registered BAS Agent. If you are unsure if your current Bookkeeper is registered, please refer to the TPB website and search the register.