BAS GST truck driver

BAS and GST for truck drivers (plain English)

GST you collect on invoices vs GST in fuel and costs, what to put aside each quarter, and what to send your accountant.

Not tax or legal advice. Talk to your accountant for your situation.

The only GST math that matters for most drivers

GST you charged on invoices (GST collected) minus GST buried in fuel and costs you paid (claimable) is roughly what you owe, or the credit, for the quarter.

Fuel dockets and most workshop invoices are GST-inclusive. The usual shortcut is 1/11 of the total. Your accountant still signs off; this just stops the “oh shit” moment in July.

BAS quarters (AU)

Quarters run Jul–Sep, Oct–Dec, Jan–Mar, Apr–Jun. Put GST aside as you go. Don’t wait until the BAS is due and raid next month’s fuel money.

Log every fill-up and cost when it happens
Invoice with GST if you’re registered
Review the quarter before lodgement
Export a spreadsheet for your accountant

Income tax is separate

GST isn’t the same as income tax. A rough “put aside ~25% of what you kept” after fuel and costs is a safety buffer, not advice. Talk to your accountant for your situation.

How OwnerHaul helps

The Tax screen shows GST in vs GST out by BAS quarter and what to put aside. Download the CSVs, or email the whole pack straight to your accountant in one tap.