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How Much Is The Next GST Payment – ATO Due Dates And Guide

Caleb Noah Foster Bennett • 2026-04-07 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

Australian businesses anticipating their next Goods and Services Tax obligation face a system where instalment amounts derive from prior financial performance rather than current period estimates. The Australian Taxation Office determines quarterly payment obligations using data submitted in your most recent tax return, issuing these calculations on activity statements at the end of each quarter.

Unlike standard billing cycles, these instalments follow the Australian financial year quarters, with specific due dates falling 28 days after each period concludes. Entities lodging through registered tax agents receive automatic extensions, though certain quarters exclude this benefit due to holiday scheduling.

How is the GST instalment amount calculated?

Default Rate Types Quarter Due Dates Calculation Basis Access Portal
GIC (5%) or Flat (7%) 28 Oct, 28 Feb, 28 Apr, 28 Jul Prior year GST turnover ATO Calculator
  • Prior-Year Basis: Instalments derive from your latest tax return submission, not current quarter performance.
  • Quarterly Distribution: ATO issues activity statements at each quarter’s end with pre-calculated amounts.
  • No Separate Lodgment: Payment satisfies the requirement; lodging the instalment notice itself is unnecessary.
  • Variation Option: Businesses may vary amounts if actual GST liability differs from estimates.
  • Zero Turnover Exception: Entities reporting no activity may qualify for nil payment periods.
  • Large Business Monthly: Entities exceeding $20 million annual GST turnover must report monthly.
  • Agent Extensions: Electronic lodgment through registered agents triggers automatic two-week deadline extensions.
Fact Details Source
Q1 Due Date 28 October ATO
Q2 Due Date 28 February ATO
Q3 Due Date 28 April ATO
Q4 Due Date 28 July ATO
Tax Agent Q1 Extension 25 November 42Advisory
Tax Agent Q3 Extension 26 May 42Advisory
Monthly Reporting Due 21st of following month 42Advisory
Two-Instalment First Payment 28 April (75%) ATO
Two-Instalment Final Payment 28 July (remainder) ATO
Calculation Source Latest tax return data ATO
Monthly Threshold $20 million GST turnover 42Advisory
Variation Method Lodge activity statement by due date ATO

When is the next GST payment due?

Quarterly Reporting Schedule

Standard quarterly instalments align with the Australian financial year periods. The first quarter covering July through September requires payment by . The subsequent quarter ending December falls due on , accounting for the holiday period without additional extensions. Full scheduling details appear in the ATO GST Instalments Guide.

Monthly Obligations for Large Enterprises

Entities generating $20 million or more in GST turnover must transition to monthly Business Activity Statement cycles. These submissions fall due on the 21st day of the month following the reporting period, with no provision for tax agent extensions.

Alternative Two-Instalment Method

Certain entities may elect to consolidate obligations into two annual payments. This structure requires remitting 75 percent of the estimated annual liability by , with the remaining 25 percent due .

Lodgment Extensions

Businesses lodging electronically through registered tax agents automatically receive a two-week extension for Q1 and Q3 quarters, shifting deadlines to 25 November and 26 May respectively. Q2 retains the 28 February deadline regardless of lodgment method.

Can you vary your GST instalment rate?

Adjusting for Liability Changes

When your actual GST liability diverges from the ATO estimate, you may submit a variation by lodging your activity statement before the instalment due date. This adjustment ensures payments align with current trading conditions rather than historical data. Specific variation procedures are outlined in the ATO Variation Guide.

Variation Process

To vary your instalment amount, complete the relevant section on your activity statement and lodge it by the standard due date. The revised amount replaces the ATO estimate for that quarter.

Minimum Instalment Thresholds

While the system accommodates adjustments, businesses should maintain documentation supporting the varied figure. The ATO may apply general interest charges to shortfalls if varied instalments prove insufficient against final assessed liabilities.

How do you pay your GST instalment?

Reviewing Your Assessment

Access your pre-calculated instalment amount through the ATO online services portal or myGov. The figure appears on your quarterly activity statement or instalment notice, reflecting the ATO’s assessment of your tax position based on prior submissions. Payment options and methods are detailed in the BAS Payment Guide.

Payment Satisfaction

Remitting the specified amount by the due date satisfies your obligation. You are not required to lodge the instalment notice separately—payment alone completes the quarterly requirement.

What is the quarterly GST payment timeline?

  1. July–September Quarter: Activity issued early October; payment due (ATO)
  2. October–December Quarter: Activity issued early February; payment due (ATO)
  3. January–March Quarter: Activity issued early April; payment due (ATO)
  4. April–June Quarter: Activity issued early July; payment due (ATO)
  5. Tax Agent Variation Deadline: Lodge variation requests by standard due dates to adjust instalment rates (ATO)

What is certain and what remains unclear about GST instalments?

Established Facts Uncertain Elements
Due dates are fixed at 28 days after quarter end for quarterly reporters Exact instalment amounts remain unknown until ATO issues the activity statement
Tax agents receive automatic two-week extensions for Q1 and Q3 only Whether varying instalments triggers general interest charges in specific circumstances
Monthly reporters must lodge by the 21st with no extensions available Specific formula weighting for instalment rate calculations
$20 million turnover threshold mandates monthly reporting Individual business eligibility criteria for the two-instalment option

How does the GST instalment system fit into broader Australian tax obligations?

The quarterly instalment system represents the ATO’s mechanism for smoothing cash flow across the financial year, preventing the accumulation of large tax debts. While specific registration thresholds depend on annual turnover criteria defined in tax legislation, the instalment system automatically activates for registered entities meeting activity statement requirements.

This prepayment structure parallels the Ontario Works Payment Dates 2025 – Full Schedule and Key Dates system in Canadian social benefit administration, where regular scheduled payments assist recipients with budget predictability. Understanding macroeconomic scale through resources like How Much Money Is in the World – $100.1 Trillion in March 2026 provides context for why tax instalment systems matter in national liquidity management. Comprehensive policy background is available through Business.gov.au GST Resources.

What do official sources say about GST instalment calculations?

Quarterly GST instalments are due 28 days after the end of each quarter.

— Australian Taxation Office, Instalment Due Dates Guide

The ATO calculates your instalment amounts using information from your latest tax return.

— Australian Taxation Office, Calculation Methodology

If you lodge electronically through a tax agent or registered accountant, you receive a 2-week extension on these dates.

— 42Advisory, Key ATO Due Dates Analysis

How should businesses prepare for their next GST instalment?

Check your ATO online portal for the pre-calculated amount issued on your activity statement, noting the specific due date based on your reporting cycle—28 October, 28 February, 28 April, or 28 July for quarterly reporters. Remit payment by the deadline without lodging a separate notice, or vary the amount by lodging your activity statement if your liability has shifted. Large businesses exceeding $20 million turnover must adhere to the 21st-of-month monthly schedule without extension options. For related fiscal scheduling information, consult the Ontario Works Payment Dates 2025 – Full Schedule and Key Dates.

How much is the next GST payment?

The amount varies by business. The ATO calculates your specific instalment based on your latest tax return and displays it on your quarterly activity statement or instalment notice.

What are the GST instalment rates for 2025?

Rates include the General Interest Charge (GIC) method at approximately 5 percent or a flat rate option at 7 percent, though the ATO applies specific calculations individually based on prior return data.

Do I need to lodge an instalment notice separately?

No. You are not required to lodge the instalment notice separately—only pay the amount shown by the due date to satisfy your quarterly obligation.

Can tax agents lodge later than the standard due date?

Yes. Electronic lodgment through registered tax agents automatically extends Q1 and Q3 deadlines by two weeks, though Q2 retains the 28 February date regardless of lodgment method.

What is the difference between quarterly and monthly GST reporting?

Quarterly reporting applies to most businesses with due dates 28 days after quarter end. Monthly reporting applies to businesses with $20 million-plus GST turnover, with payments due on the 21st of the following month and no extensions available.

How do I know if I should use the two-instalment option?

The ATO permits certain businesses to elect this method, requiring 75 percent payment by 28 April and the remainder by 28 July. Eligibility depends on specific ATO assessment criteria not publicly detailed in standard schedules.

Caleb Noah Foster Bennett

About the author

Caleb Noah Foster Bennett

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.