What is a BAS Agent

A BAS Agent is issued a license that says they can advise a client, provide certainty to a client or represent that client to the tax office in relation to:

  • All GST matters
  • All Wine Tax, Fuel Tax, Luxury Car Tax matters
  • Payment of FBT
  • All aspects of Payroll that relate to the withholding of tax amounts and the reporting of that amount to the employee and the Tax office
  • All aspects of other PAYG Withholding amounts: ie no ABN, Interest & Dividend
  • All aspects of the payment of income tax via PAYG Instalments
  • All aspects of the Taxable Payments Annual Reporting system
  • All aspects of Superannuation Guarantee system as related to payroll & the Charge

A Tax Agent can also do these and then other areas of tax also.

What does this mean?

A registered Agent may:

  • Design and set up compliance systems
  • Advise the client on how the above areas of law effect them
  • Review a client’s operations in relation to these areas of law and provide certainty to that client that they are getting it right

These tasks cannot be done by a bookkeeper who is not a registered Agent.

So, what can a Bookkeeper do who is not a BAS Agent?

  • They can follow systems designed by others
  • They can process
  • They can reconcile and produce results but not if the client is relying on those, without further action to be certain that they are meeting their obligation
  • They should raise questions and not answer them

What can a BAS Agent do?

ServiceBAS service
Applying to the Registrar for an ABN on behalf of a client.X
Coding transactions, tax invoices and transferring data onto a computer program for clients through processes that require the interpretation or application of a BAS provision.X
  
Confirming figures to be included on a client’s activity statement.X
Completing activity statements on behalf of an entity or instructing the entity which figures to include.X
Confirming the withholding tax obligations for the employees of a client.X
Services declared to be a BAS service by way of a legislative instrument issued by the TPB.X
Preparation and provision of a payment summary that may include reportable fringe benefits amounts and the reportable employer superannuation contributions,X
Registering or providing advice on registration for GST or PAYG withholding.X
Services under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 to the extent that they relate to a payroll function or payments to contractors.X
Determining and reporting the superannuation guarantee shortfall and associated administrative fees.X
Dealing with superannuation payments made through a clearing house.X
Completing and lodging the Taxable payments annual report to the ATO on behalf of a client.X
Sending a TFN declaration to the Commissioner on behalf of a client.X