Maximise the benefits of Xero’s Activity Statement feature to lodge your Business Activity Statement (BAS) with the ATO, leveraging recent enhancements for a smoother and more intuitive experience.
The guide Activity Statements and many more can be found in Xero Central. Click here.
About the Activity Statement
The Activity Statement feature in Xero simplifies BAS reporting to the ATO. Once connected, you can lodge directly from Xero, streamlining compliance and reducing manual effort.
Important note
If you transitioned to Xero during a BAS reporting period, you'll need to pull data from both NetSuite and Xero, combining amounts for accurate reporting. Click here for additional instructions.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- You need an Advisor or Standard (with view reports option) user role to access the Activity Statement.
- Included data: Depending on your settings, the Activity Statement may include:
- GST data, including a detailed Transactions by BAS field report.
- PAYG data.
- Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and other applicable items.
- Lodging a BAS through Xero doesn’t automatically debit your bank. Export the statement as a PDF to access ATO payment details and a BPAY payment slip.
Connect to the ATO and lodge directly in Xero
If your Franchise is connected to the ATO, you can access the following benefits:
- Lodgment: Lodge your Activity Statement directly to the ATO from Xero..
- Outstanding statements: All outstanding activity statements are automatically loaded.
- Simplified Reporting: No need to specify reporting dates or taxes manually.
- Dashboard Overview: View all activity statement and payment due dates on the Activity Statements dashboard.
- Payment Details: Access payment options directly from your Activity Statement.
Click here for instructions to connect Xero to the ATO.
Manual BAS Lodgment
If your Franchise isn't connected to the ATO, you will need to manually lodge your BAS statement. To confirm your settings:
- Navigate to Accounting >Reports
- Open the Activity Statement using the search bar.
- Click Settings.
- Select either Simpler BAS or Full BAS.
- Verify all settings are correct.
- Click Save & Continue
RUNNING THE ACTIVITY STATEMENT
Follow Xero's detailed step-by-step guide to prepare and submit your Activity Statement. Ensure you select the appropriate tab for your lodgment method.
ENHANCEMENTS
In November 2024, Xero released updates to the GST transaction report for a more user-friendly experience:
- Streamlined layout: A more intuitive design for easier navigation.
- Combined Tax Rate and BAS Field tabs: Customisable filters for pinpointing specific information.
- Enhanced Navigation: Wider view and sticky headers eliminated endless scrolling.
To view the GST transaction report:
- Navigate to Accounting > Reports > Activity Statement.
- Click on the Transaction tab.
