Stop Freaking Out About BAS. Start Managing Like a CEO
Let’s call it what it is: a lot of business owners treat their BAS like a punishment.
Cue the quarterly panic. The scramble. The "Can we reduce this somehow?" plea to your bookkeeper like they’re a magician with a tax wand.
But here’s the truth no one wants to hear: If you're paying BAS, it means you're making money. And that's not the problem.
The Real Problem? You're Not Managing Your Cash Properly
Your BAS doesn’t just show up to ruin your quarter. It reflects how much revenue you're bringing in. That means you're growing.
The issue isn't the tax. It's that you're not ready for it.
Instead of trying to dodge the inevitable, ask yourself: Where is my cash actually going, and why am I always behind?
1. Know Your BAS Obligations In Advance
BAS surprises should be a thing of the past. If you’re only thinking about tax every quarter, you’re already too late.
The fix?
Monthly visibility. Get a handle on your numbers every 30 days.
Stop guessing. Start forecasting.
Make your BAS predictable, not panic-worthy.
2. Move the Tax Money Out, Immediately
Repeat after me: It’s not your money.
GST, PAYG, super, these amounts don’t belong in your spendable cash. The moment it hits your account, you need to:
Transfer it to a separate tax account.
Pretend it doesn’t exist.
Never, ever use it to plug a cashflow hole.
Out of sight = out of temptation = no more freak-outs when the ATO knocks.
3. BAS Is a Sign of Growth, Not a Punishment
If you're not paying GST, you're likely not making enough to trigger it. And that’s not a win, that’s a warning sign.
Shift your mindset:
Big BAS = Big Business. That’s the game.
You want obligations because it means you have revenue.
What you need is the system to support it, not avoidance strategies.
4. Act Like a Real Business, Not a Freelancer with an ABN
If your first instinct is to shrink your BAS instead of grow your margins, we need to talk.
You’re running a company, not just trying to survive tax season. That means:
Build a cashflow system
Get proactive, not reactive
Use tools, reports, and expert advice to stay in front of your obligations
Want Less Stress? Build a Real System
The smartest business owners don’t dodge their BAS. They own it. Plan for it. Systemise it.
So no, we’re not reducing your BAS. We’re showing you how to build a business that handles it without flinching.
Book a strategy session with The Kartel Solution. We're not just bookkeepers, we're your Finance Ops team that uses real systems and strategies.
Because half your stress is a cashflow problem. The other half is you trying to solve it alone.