Quick answer
If your BAS is due and you cannot pay, lodge it on time anyway, because late lodgement adds penalties and makes every option harder. Then choose how to pay: from cash flow, through an ATO payment plan, or with fast business funding, which can be approved within the hour and paid directly to the ATO.
Key points
- Lodge on time even if you cannot pay in full
- Payment plan, cash flow or fast funding are the main options
- Funding can be paid straight to the ATO
- A separate GST account stops it happening again
The quarter has ended, the BAS is prepared and the amount owing is bigger than the bank balance. It happens to good businesses all the time, usually because the GST collected over three months was quietly used to pay wages, suppliers and rent. The money did not disappear; it went into the business. Now the business needs to pay it back to the ATO.
First: lodge on time, regardless
Lodging and paying are separate obligations. Even if you cannot pay, lodge the BAS by the due date. Failing to lodge can bring penalties on top of the debt, and it makes the ATO and any lender less willing to help. Lodging on time keeps your options open.
Your three options
| Option | How fast | Things to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| Pay from cash flow | Immediate | Only if it does not leave payroll or suppliers short |
| ATO payment plan | Depends on eligibility | GIC keeps running and is no longer deductible from 1 July 2025 |
| Fast business funding | Approval within the hour common | Total cost of finance versus GIC and the convenience of a clean slate |
For a modest BAS with a strong set of bank statements, unsecured funding is usually the quickest. Payment can be made directly to the ATO with your payment reference. For larger amounts, especially if older tax debts are also sitting there, a property-secured loan with no valuation can clear everything at once. See urgent ATO debt funding for that route.
If you would rather talk than read, enquire online or call 07 3106 8922 and a person will walk you through it.
Stop the quarterly scramble
The best long-term fix is simple and unglamorous: move GST out of your trading account as you collect it. Many owners transfer a fixed percentage of every deposit into a separate tax account each week. When the BAS arrives, the money is there. Some also move to monthly BAS reporting so the bills are smaller and more frequent, which can be easier to manage. Either way, the goal is the same: GST is never mistaken for spare cash. Talk to your accountant about what suits your business.
A worked example (illustrative)
A small electrical contractor has a quarterly BAS of about $26,000 due in four days and $9,000 in the account after paying wages. A large invoice will be paid in three weeks. The owner lodges the BAS on time, enquires the same morning and is approved for a short-term amount within the hour. The ATO is paid on the due date and the facility is cleared when the invoice lands. From the next quarter, GST goes into a separate account weekly.
Why lenders care about your BAS history
Your lodgement record tells a lender a lot about how the business is run. Consistent, on-time lodgements suggest good record keeping, even if the payments have sometimes been late. Missing lodgements raise questions and slow assessment. Our guide on lodgement status and fast loans explains what lenders look for.
Get these ready first
Lenders usually ask for the following. Having them ready can save a full day:
- The lodged BAS showing the amount owing
- ATO payment reference
- Business bank statements
- Details of any other ATO balances
- Photo ID and ABN
Where the time usually goes
If funding is slower than expected, it is usually because of:
- An unlodged BAS
- Older ATO debts not mentioned
- Statements that show GST money spent but no explanation
- Leaving it to the due date itself
Why accurate answers matter
We ask a short list of questions because each one changes which option fits and how fast it can move. Please answer them as they really are, not as you hope they will be next quarter. If you have a default, an ATO debt or a new ABN, say so up front. It will not stop us looking, and it means there are no surprises halfway through that slow everything down.
The short version
- Lodge on time even if you cannot pay in full
- Payment plan, cash flow or fast funding are the main options
- Funding can be paid straight to the ATO
- A separate GST account stops it happening again
Why this can move in hours, not weeks
Think of it in four blocks of time. The first few minutes: your enquiry and the first call. The first hour: evidence in, assessment done, approval given, sometimes inside 15 minutes. The next few hours: loan documents issued and signed online by everyone who needs to sign. Then payment: funds released, with money landing within 24 hours of enquiring entirely possible. Each block runs faster when you have your documents, your guarantors and your phone close at hand.
Let’s get it moving
The quickest way to find out is to ask. It is a 60-second form with no credit check attached, your details stay with us, and someone real gets back to you. Please take care with the amount, revenue and property questions, because accurate answers are what make fast funding possible. Check your options.
Frequently asked questions
Should I lodge my BAS if I cannot pay it?
Yes. Lodging on time avoids failure-to-lodge penalties and shows the ATO you are engaging. Lenders also prefer lodgements to be up to date.
How fast can I get funding to pay my BAS?
With bank statements ready, approval within the hour is common and funds can land within 24 hours.
Is it a bad sign to borrow for BAS?
Not if it is occasional and there is a reason, such as a late customer. If it happens every quarter, the business needs a better system for setting GST aside.
Can I pay part of my BAS?
Yes. Paying what you can and arranging the rest reduces the general interest charge on the unpaid amount.
Start the clock right here
The same 60-second enquiry, on this page. No credit check to enquire, and a real person picks it up fast.