The new financial year has officially rolled in, and if there’s one thing Gold Coast business owners never want to fall behind on, it’s bookkeeping and ATO compliance.
Whether you’re running a café in Burleigh, a trade business in Helensvale, or an online store from home, the updates for FY 2025–26 affect your payroll, your BAS, your reporting, and your cash flow.
And as a Gold Coast bookkeeper who works closely with local businesses, I can already tell you:
This year’s changes are practical, important, and absolutely worth paying attention to.
This guide breaks everything down in simple language — no jargon, no overwhelm, just the essentials you need to stay compliant, organised, and confident.
Let’s dive in.
PRO TIP BEFORE YOU START
If your bookkeeping system hasn’t been reviewed since last financial year, this is the perfect time to future-proof your setup. One clean-up now saves you stress for the next 12 months.
1. The Big Ones: ATO Compliance Priorities for FY 2025–26
Every financial year, the ATO releases updated compliance priorities — which means they’re tightening the rules in very specific areas.
Here’s what’s at the top of their radar this year:
✔ Small business tax performance
Expect increased data-matching and audit activity around:
- Under-reported income
- Cash payments
- Incorrect GST claims
- Business vs personal expense mixing
If you’ve been doing that “I’ll sort it later” thing with receipts or transactions… this is the year to get organised.
✔ GST & BAS reporting accuracy
The ATO is laser-focused on:
- GST miscalculations
- Missed BAS lodgements
- Incorrect coding
- Avoidable late fines
If your BAS has been panic-lodged in the past, you’re not alone and there’s an easier way this year. A registered BAS agent can ensure coding is correct and deadlines are met without the stress.
✔ Payroll compliance & superannuation
The ATO is tightening payroll review processes, especially for businesses with staff. More on payroll changes below — but if you employ even one contractor or casual worker, keep reading.
2. Superannuation Guarantee Increase (It’s Officially 12%)
From 1 July 2025, the Super Guarantee (SG) increased to 12%.
This means:
- Your payroll system must be updated
- Your cash flow may shift
- Your budgeting might need adjusting
The easiest path?
A quick payroll check-up ensures everything flows smoothly for the rest of the year.
3. eInvoicing & Digital Record-Keeping: This Year It Gets Serious
Digital compliance is no longer optional, the ATO continues pushing businesses toward real-time digital bookkeeping.
Why this matters:
- Faster invoice processing
- Fewer errors
- Seamless ATO data-matching
- Cleaner books (and fewer missing invoices)
If your current setup involves spreadsheets, screenshots, or manual entry… you’re working harder than you need to.
Switching to cloud bookkeeping gives you real-time clarity, and usually saves hours every single month.
4. Payroll & STP (Single Touch Payroll) Updates for 2025–26
Payroll errors are one of the main reasons businesses attract ATO attention.
Here’s what’s updated:
✔ Mandatory real-time STP reporting
Even the smallest adjustments (overtime, allowances, leave, pay corrections) must be reported correctly.
✔ Correct classification of workers
Contractor vs employee — the ATO is cracking down. Misclassification can lead to fines, back-pay, and penalties.
✔ EOFY finalisation accuracy
If your books are messy or unreconciled, finalisation becomes a stressful nightmare. Clean books = clean reporting.
5. Cash Flow Monitoring: The Non-Negotiable for Gold Coast Businesses
It’s no secret that business on the Gold Coast fluctuates, tourism, seasonality, and local economic trends all play a role.
For FY 2025–26, you’ll benefit massively from stronger cash flow practices:
✔ Real-time bank reconciliation
It keeps your numbers accurate so you can make fast decisions.
✔ Tracking GST properly
Avoid the BAS shock each quarter.
✔ Separating business & personal spending
It’s one of the biggest causes of messy books and incorrect BAS.
✔ Budgeting for super, tax & wages
Set aside a percentage every week, future you will be extremely grateful.
6. Common Bookkeeping Mistakes Becoming Riskier This Year
This financial year, the ATO is widening its data-matching capabilities. That means common bookkeeping mistakes can become costly.
Here are the red flags:
❌ Not reconciling bank feeds regularly
If you wait months, errors pile up — and so do compliance issues.
❌ Using old or generic chart of accounts
Your accounts must match your business structure, industry, and compliance needs.
❌ Claiming incorrect deductions
More audits = more scrutiny on deductions like cars, home office, travel, and meals.
❌ Mixing business & personal expenses
This is by far the biggest cause of ATO headaches.
❌ Late or incorrect BAS lodgements
If the numbers aren’t correct, you risk penalties.
A thorough bookkeeping review fixes all this quickly — and keeps you in the clear.
7. Why FY 2025–26 Is the Perfect Time to Upgrade Your Bookkeeping System
Businesses across the Gold Coast are modernising their financial systems. If you’ve been using outdated software, manual spreadsheets, or “DIY bookkeeping” this year is the ideal time to level up.
Here’s what modern bookkeeping gives you:
- Real-time tracking of cash flow
- Error reduction
- Stress-free payroll
- Accurate BAS
- Instant reporting for loans or grants
- Confidence at tax time
Plus: if you ever want to apply for a business loan or home loan, clean and organised books give lenders confidence.
A clean set of books is almost like a “business résumé” — and FY 2025–26 is the year to polish it.
8. When You Should Definitely Get Help From a Gold Coast Bookkeeper
You don’t need a bookkeeper for everything. But you do need one when:
- You’re behind on BAS
- Your books feel confusing
- Payroll updates or super changes stress you out
- You’re not 100% confident the numbers are right
- You mix business and personal expenses
- You want clean books for loans, growth or tax
- You’re too busy running the business to keep up
If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone — Gold Coast business owners regularly ask for help in these exact areas.
A professional BAS agent ensures your books stay clean, accurate, and compliance-ready all year.
9. The Simple Truth: Staying Compliant Doesn’t Need to Feel Hard
A lot of business owners think compliance = stress, jargon, or complicated rules.
But with the right setup and support, you can:
- Keep the ATO happy
- Avoid late fees
- Reduce admin stress
- Understand your numbers
- Make better financial decisions
And honestly? Your bookkeeping should feel like a support system, not a burden.
Ready to Stay Compliant and Stress-Free This Year? Let’s Make It Easy.
If FY 2025–26 already feels overwhelming — or you just want your bookkeeping to be smoother, cleaner, and easier — I’m here to help.
Whether you need:
✔ ongoing bookkeeping
✔ BAS lodgements
✔ payroll setup
✔ catch-up bookkeeping
✔ a full bookkeeping overhaul
✔ business + finance organisation
You don’t have to do it alone.
Let’s get your books clean, compliant, and ready for your best year yet.
Book a consultation with Flexible Financial Solutions
Let’s map out what your business needs this financial year, without pressure, jargon, or overwhelm. Chat with us to see what might work for you.
