Business has continuing access to free GST assistance - particularly to help them with their second quarterly Business Activity Statement (BAS), due on 4 February 2001.

Chris Jordan, Chairman of The New Tax System Advisory Board, said the help available included the right information for each type of business and answers to specific GST queries.

Business, community and education bodies can access the following services from the GST Start Up Assistance Office:

• the GST Assist Helpline 13 30 88 (6 am-3 am AEDT Monday to Friday, 9 am-9 pm Saturday and Sunday),

• the GST website www.gststartup.gov.au,

• publications (including a quick guides on BAS and the Voluntary Treasurer’s Handbook), and

• regional and rural GST Signpost Officers.

These services complement the BAS Help Program that runs from 15 January until 4 February with two thousand ATO field officers helping businesses with their BAS. Appointments can be arranged by calling 13 24 78.

Chris Jordan said the GST start-up assistance programmes for business had proved vital to the smooth transition to The New Tax System. Now he saw a real need for businesses to manage their practices to help them comply more easily with the GST.

"Getting your information together to complete the BAS doesn’t have to be a tough task if you manage your business in the right way," Mr Jordan said.

"Simple business practices, like being aware of BAS lodgement and mailing times, issuing appropriate tax invoices and keeping receipts, go a long way to making the process simple.

"Our 13 30 88 operators, our website and the GST Signpost Officers can give you the business skills information that’s right for your firm. 13 30 88 will even refer complex GST queries to qualified accountants with a 48 hour response time to the client. The website has handy hints on completing your BAS quickly and successfully.

"For publications right for your business you only need to ring 13 30 88 or browse or download them from www.gststartup.gov.au ," Mr Jordan said.

Helpful publications include:

• Quick Guide to BAS and PAYG - a four-page practical booklet designed to help people complete and lodge their BAS, and

• A Guide to Managing Change in Business -practical checklists on planning, marketing, staffing and The New Tax System.

All GST Start-Up Assistance programmes will run to the end of February 2001 to assist small business, community and education bodies fine-tune and streamline their business practices - and so make it easier to meet their GST obligations.

Media contact: Francesca Kibria, GST Start-Up Assistance Office on (02) 6263 4319 or 0402 146 448.