BAS due tomorrow and you can't pay the full amount

A BAS deadline has a way of sneaking up. GST collected over the quarter has been quietly funding the business, PAYG withheld has been sitting in the same account, and suddenly the bill is due tomorrow and the balance doesn’t stretch.

You’re far from alone, and there are sensible options. The most important thing to do tonight doesn’t involve money at all.

Should I lodge even if I can’t pay?

Yes. Lodging and paying are two separate obligations. Lodging on time tells the ATO what you owe and keeps your compliance record intact, which matters to the ATO and to any lender who looks at your file later. Failing to lodge adds a second problem on top of the first.

So tonight, or with your bookkeeper first thing, lodge the BAS. Then decide how to handle the payment.

When is my BAS actually due?

The ATO’s standard quarterly due dates are:

Quarter	Due date
July–September	28 October
October–December	28 February
January–March	28 April
April–June	28 July

Monthly BAS is due on the 21st day of the month after the reporting period. If you use a registered tax or BAS agent, different dates may apply under their lodgment program.

There’s also a helpful rule for weekends and holidays. The ATO says that if a due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, you have until the next business day to lodge and pay — and it counts a public holiday for the whole of any state or territory. Our business day counter can confirm the next business day for your state.

What are my options for tomorrow’s payment?

There are three broad paths, and many businesses combine them.

1. Pay what you can now. Even a partial payment reduces the debt that attracts general interest charge and shows good faith.

2. Set up an ATO payment plan. The ATO’s Online services for business lets you arrange a payment plan for debts under $200,000. The ATO notes that tax debts on a payment plan continue to accrue general interest charge, which compounds daily, so paying the debt off as quickly as possible reduces the cost.

3. Fund the payment. Some businesses prefer to clear the ATO debt with business funding, repaying the lender on a schedule that suits their cash flow. It can make sense when the ATO debt is one of several pressures, or when you want a clean ATO account for a tender, a licence renewal or a future loan. Compare the total cost of each option in dollars before deciding.

If funding looks like the right path, start your enquiry tonight so a specialist can call first thing.

How long does an ATO payment take to arrive?

This is the part that trips people up. The ATO says payments can take up to 4 business days to be received and appear on your ATO account. That processing time applies whatever method you choose, and the ATO notes that if a payment is late, you are responsible for any interest charges.

So if the due date is tomorrow and you’re arranging funding:

• Get your payment reference number from Online services for business or your BAS tonight.
• Pay as soon as the funds land, using the fastest method available to you.
• Keep a record of the payment date and receipt.

What does a lender want to see for a tax-payment request?

A BAS payment is a clear, legitimate business purpose. To move quickly:

• Your ATO account balance and the BAS amount, downloaded from Online services for business.
• Lodgment status — ideally every BAS lodged, including this one.
• Any existing payment plan and whether you’re keeping to it.
• Business bank statements for every account.
• A repayment plan that doesn’t assume next quarter’s BAS disappears.

ATO debt is considered case by case, and plenty of businesses fund tax payments. See next-day funding with bad credit or ATO debt for how lenders weigh it.

An illustrative example

Illustrative: A mechanical workshop in Toowoomba lodges a quarterly BAS showing $47k owing, due tomorrow. There’s $15k available. The owner lodges on time, pays $15k that evening and enquires for $32k, noting there’s no existing ATO plan and all lodgments are current. He owns a house with solid equity. A short-term, property-secured facility is arranged the next day, and the balance is paid as soon as funds land — with a reminder that the ATO may take a few business days to show it.

How do I stop next quarter being the same?

Once the immediate bill is handled, a few habits help: move GST and PAYG withheld into a separate account each week, set a calendar reminder three weeks before each due date, and review your cash position at the start of each month. Our ten-day cash calendar makes the next BAS visible well before it’s due tomorrow.

What about PAYG and super on the same BAS?

Your BAS often carries more than GST. PAYG withholding from wages and PAYG instalments can sit in the same bill, and since 1 July 2026 super follows each pay run under Payday Super rather than a quarterly cycle. When you work out tomorrow’s number, make sure you’re not funding the BAS only to find a super deadline sitting a few business days away. Our page on super due this week explains the new timing, and the business day counter counts the days for your state.

Get tomorrow’s BAS handled

Tax deadlines are stressful, but they’re also something specialist lenders understand well. Asking takes about 60 seconds, and first enquiries don’t involve a credit check. We keep your details with one team instead of sending them around the market, and a real person who knows ATO situations calls you. Please be accurate about your ATO balance, any payment plan and your lodgment status — it’s what lets us move quickly.

Talk to us about tomorrow’s BAS →