BAS and bookkeeping for tradies, without the Sunday-night spreadsheet
A tradie bank statement is Bunnings, Reece, Middy’s and Sydney Tools on repeat, the servo every second day, a supplier account paid monthly, tool finance coming out weekly, and progress payments from builders landing whenever they feel like it. Some of those purchases are materials you on-charge, some are tools that get written off or depreciated, and one of them is the pie you bought at smoko.
FlowFi reads the statement you already have, sorts every line into the right category, works out the GST on materials and gear, and builds the quarter’s BAS. You check it, copy the labels into ATO Online, and get back on the tools.
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
What FlowFi does for tradies
Separates materials from tools and equipment
Pipe, cable, timber and paint land as materials. The new drop saw or thermal camera is flagged as equipment so you can decide whether to write it off or depreciate it.
Works out GST on supplier accounts
Monthly supplier payments, hardware runs and hire fees are checked for GST so your G11 and 1B figures come from real transactions, not a guess.
Invoices for progress payments and variations
Send a deposit, progress or final invoice from your phone at the end of the day. Automatic reminders follow up the builders who pay late.
Tracks travel between sites
Log the run from one job to the next and FlowFi applies the current ATO cents-per-kilometre rate, or keep the records you need for the logbook method.
Builds your BAS from the bank statement
Upload the quarter, review the pre-filled figures for G1, 1A and 1B, and copy them into ATO Online. Subcontractor payments are flagged for your TPAR as well.
How it works
Upload your bank statement
Export a CSV or PDF from your bank (CBA, Westpac, NAB, ANZ, Macquarie and most others) and drop it into FlowFi. No bank login, ever.
AI sorts every transaction
Income, expenses, equipment and transfers are categorised, GST is worked out on each line and likely deductions are flagged for you to confirm.
Review and lodge your BAS
Check the pre-filled labels, copy them into ATO Online in about five minutes, or export the pack for your accountant. FlowFi does not lodge for you.
Common deductions for tradies
Expenses tradies often claim. FlowFi flags these categories as they appear in your statement so you can confirm each one.
- Tools and equipment, written off in the year or depreciated over time
- Materials and consumables bought for jobs, whether or not you on-charge them
- Ute or van running costs on the business-use portion, with a logbook or actual costs
- Protective clothing, steel-cap boots, hi-vis, sun protection and branded workwear
- Trade licences, registrations, union fees and industry association memberships
- Public liability, tool and income protection insurance premiums
- Subcontractor payments, with the invoices and ABNs kept on file
- Phone, quoting and job-management software, and a share of your home office
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
Email me the quarterly BAS checklist
The checklist now, then a few short notes on getting your BAS done. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Pricing
Flat monthly pricing. No percentage of your income, no lock-in, cancel any time. Every account starts with 14 days of Pro free, no card needed.
Pro
or $290 a year (two months free). 14-day free trial, no card.
- Unlimited transactions and uploads
- Unlimited invoices with automatic reminders
- Full AI categorisation and deduction flags
- BAS preparation with a copy-guide for ATO Online
- Receipt scanning, mileage and cash-flow forecast
- One-click accountant export
Business
or $590 a year (two months free). For anyone with a bookkeeper or partner in the books.
- Everything in Pro
- Unlimited bank accounts
- Up to 5 users with role-based access
- Advanced AI insights
- AI support and API access
Questions tradies ask
Do I have to report my subbies to the ATO?
If you run a building and construction business and pay contractors for building services, you generally need to lodge a Taxable Payments Annual Report (TPAR) by 28 August each year. FlowFi flags subcontractor payments as they appear in your statement so the totals are ready when you need them.
Can I claim my ute using cents per kilometre?
The cents-per-kilometre method is only for cars, which the ATO defines as vehicles carrying fewer than nine passengers and less than one tonne. Most single-cab and many dual-cab utes are over one tonne, so they are claimed on actual costs for the business-use percentage. Keep the fuel, rego, insurance and repair transactions, which FlowFi categorises for you.
When do I pay GST on a deposit or progress payment?
Most sole traders account for GST on a cash basis, which means the GST is reported in the quarter you actually receive the money. A deposit received in March goes in the March quarter BAS even if the job finishes in May. FlowFi works from the date the money hit your account.
Materials I buy and on-charge to the client, how are they treated?
The purchase is an expense with GST you can claim, and the amount you invoice is income with GST you collect. Both sides go on the BAS. FlowFi records the purchase from your statement and the income from your invoice or deposit, so nothing is double counted.
General information only, not tax advice. Check your own situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.
Keep reading
FlowFi for related trades
Get this quarter’s BAS done before the footy starts
Upload one bank statement and see your materials, tools, fuel and GST already categorised.
Start 14-day free trial14 days of Pro free. No credit card. Then $29 a month or $290 a year.