2 Nov 2026
Tax Deductions Without Receipts: The $300 Rule
How the $300 rule works for Australian tax deductions without receipts, what you can still claim, and why bank statements alone often fall short.
Lodgya blog · 2 November 2026
small business owner laptop
You must register for GST within 21 days of hitting $75,000 GST turnover. Here is how to register, from getting your ABN to lodging your first BAS.
5 min read
🧮 Try our car expenses calculator ↓
General information only, not tax advice. This article doesn't take your personal circumstances into account, and tax rules change each income year. Check the ATO website or speak to a registered tax agent before acting on it. Lodgya is a record-keeping tool and is not a registered tax agent. See our disclaimer.
You must register for GST once your GST turnover reaches $75,000, or once you expect it will, and you have 21 days from that point to do it. Non-profit organisations register at $150,000 instead. Taxi and rideshare drivers register from their first dollar of income, regardless of turnover. You need an ABN before you can register, and you can do it online through ATO online services for business, over the phone on 13 28 66, or through a registered tax or BAS agent.
When you must register for GST
The threshold is $75,000 in GST turnover for most businesses, and $150,000 for non-profits. Two tests apply: your current 12 month turnover, and the turnover you reasonably expect to make over the next 12 months. Hitting either one triggers the obligation.
Once you reach the threshold, or work out that you will, the clock starts. You have 21 days to register. Waiting until the end of the financial year is not an option, and the 21 day window applies whether your turnover crept up slowly or jumped in a single busy month.
Rideshare and taxi drivers register from the first dollar
If you drive for Uber, DiDi, Ola or any taxi service, the $75,000 threshold does not apply to you. You must register for GST from your first dollar of fare income, no matter how much or how little you earn. A driver doing a few weekend trips still has the obligation, and there is no minimum turnover that gets you out of it.
This catches plenty of people out, because the work often starts as a side gig. If your driver account is active and money is coming in, GST registration belongs on your list.
Get your ABN sorted first
GST registration attaches to your ABN, so the ABN application comes first. Sole traders apply under their own name, while companies, trusts and partnerships apply under the entity. If you already have an ABN from earlier contracting or freelance work, you can go straight to the GST step.
How to register for GST, step by step
Check your turnover. Add up your business income for the current 12 month period and estimate the next 12 months against the $75,000 figure, or the $150,000 figure for non-profits.
Confirm whether a special rule applies. Taxi and rideshare drivers register immediately, with no threshold to clear.
Apply for an ABN if you do not already have one.
Choose how you register. The fastest option is online via ATO online services for business using the myID app. You can also call the ATO on 13 28 66, or have a registered tax or BAS agent add it through the ATO portal.
Register within 21 days of reaching the threshold or expecting to reach it.
Set up your record keeping for GST and BAS before your first sale as a registered business.
Registering voluntarily: the pros and cons
If you are under the threshold, you can register voluntarily. It is a genuine choice, so weigh both sides.
Pro: you can claim GST credits on business purchases, which can take the sting out of equipment, materials and running costs.
Pro: if you expect to cross the threshold soon, you get the paperwork and systems sorted early instead of scrambling later.
Con: you must charge 10% GST on your sales and pass it on to the ATO.
Con: you take on BAS lodgment and tax invoice obligations that you were not required to handle before.
Con: if your customers are everyday consumers who cannot claim GST credits, your prices effectively rise by 10%.
What changes once you are registered
Three things kick in. You charge 10% GST on your taxable sales, you issue tax invoices that show the GST, and you lodge a BAS on your reporting cycle. The money you collect is not yours to spend, so keep it separate from the start rather than discovering a shortfall at lodgment time.
Tracking GST and BAS as a sole trader
Record keeping is where most sole traders lose time. Lodgya Pro, the business and sole trader tracker, records your income and expenses, reconciles GST and BAS, imports CSV files and produces accountant-ready reports when lodgment comes around. It suits people who would rather not rebuild a spreadsheet every quarter.
For the official rules on registration, including the ATO's own guidance, see the ATO Registering for GST page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an ABN to register for GST?
Yes. GST registration is tied to your ABN, so you need one in place before you can register. Sole traders apply for an ABN under their own name, while companies, trusts and partnerships apply under the entity. If you already have an ABN from earlier freelance or contracting work, you can skip straight to registering for GST.
How long do I have to register once I hit $75,000?
You have 21 days from the point you reach the $75,000 GST turnover threshold, or from when you expect to reach it. The same 21 day window applies to non-profits hitting $150,000. Do not wait for the end of the financial year, because the obligation starts as soon as the threshold is met or expected.
Do rideshare drivers have to register for GST on every trip?
Yes. If you drive for Uber, DiDi, Ola or a taxi service, you must register for GST from your first dollar of fare income. The $75,000 threshold does not apply, so even a few weekend trips create the obligation. Once registered, you charge 10% GST and lodge a BAS like any other registered business.
What if I register for GST but earn under the threshold?
Voluntary registration is allowed if you are under the threshold. You then charge 10% GST on your sales, issue tax invoices and lodge a BAS, but you can also claim GST credits on business purchases. It can work well if you expect turnover to grow soon, and less well if your customers are consumers.
What do I need to do after registering?
Start charging 10% GST on your taxable sales, issue tax invoices that show the GST amount, and lodge a BAS on your reporting cycle. Keep your GST money separate from everyday spending so lodgment does not create a cash flow problem, and hold onto your records for the required period.
This article is general information only and is not tax advice. Confirm your own situation with the ATO or a registered tax agent before you register.
