Tax basics for small business

What is an activity statement?

An activity statement is a form you use to report information to us. Businesses report and pay most of their taxes through their activity statements and income tax return. Some businesses may have to lodge other forms, such as a FBT return.

Businesses use an activity statement to report and pay:

• PAYG instalments
• PAYG withholding
• GST and related tax obligations
• fuel tax credits
• FBT instalments
• some company and super fund instalments.

When you apply for an ABN, you tell us the expected start date for your business. We then send you the appropriate activity statement for the reporting period in time for you to complete and lodge it. It will be sent to the postal address you have chosen for activity statement purposes.

Some parts of your activity statement are already filled in to save you time. It generally shows only the obligations that relate to you. For example, if you do not have a PAYG withholding obligation, this section will not appear on your activity statement.

Sections within Activity statements

• What is an activity statement?
• Lodging activity statements
• When to lodge your activity statement
• What if you can't pay?
• How to lodge your activity statement