After a proper break, getting back into business mode can feel tough. January can feel like one long Monday, making your vacation seem further away by the day. But for businesses, it’s imperative. 

Between catching up on emails, reconnecting with clients and getting your team back into routine, it’s easy for tax and compliance obligations to slip through the cracks. 

To help you start the year on the right foot, here are the key tax-related responsibilities every business should stay on top of when returning from a holiday shutdown.

• Reconfirm Your Payroll And PAYG Withholding Settings
  

  If your business processes were paused over the break, give your payroll system a quick health check before the first pay run. 

Make sure employee details, pay rates, leave balances, and PAYG withholding settings are correct – especially if any pay rises or role changes took effect from 1 January. This is also a good time to check that STP reporting is functioning properly to avoid late lodgment issues.

• Catch Up On BAS And IAS Deadlines
  

  It’s surprisingly common for businesses to lose track of upcoming activity statement due dates when the holidays disrupt normal workflows. Review the next BAS or IAS deadline as soon as you reopen and set reminders for your team –  for many businesses, this should be 28 February 2026. If cash flow is tight after the break, plan ahead to meet your GST and PAYG instalment obligations without scrambling.

• Review Superannuation Contributions
  

  This is a good time to confirm that contributions from pre-Christmas pay runs have been paid and cleared on time. The next quarterly super guarantee (SG) contribution deadline is 28 January 2026. If you missed a deadline, address it promptly to minimise Super Guarantee Charge exposure.

• Stay Alert For ATO Correspondence
  

  ATO letters and notices may have arrived while your office was closed. Make sure someone checks the business mailbox and myGovID inbox early in the new year to avoid missed correspondence. Missing an ATO request – especially one related to overdue lodgments or verification checks – can lead to penalties or payment complications.

• Restart Good Record-Keeping Habits

  Holiday mode sometimes means receipts pile up or bookkeeping gets put on hold. 

A clean reset in January helps avoid errors later in the year. Updating your reconciliations, lodging any outstanding documents, and reviewing financial workflows will help restore order quickly. 

Returning from a break is the perfect opportunity to reset, regroup, and make sure your tax affairs are starting the year tidy, compliant, and stress-free. Taking the time now to review where things stand can help you avoid last-minute pressure and unexpected issues later on.

If you’re unsure about upcoming obligations, reporting requirements, or deadlines, having the right support can make all the difference.

Working with an accountant can help you prioritise what needs attention, stay on top of compliance, and ease the transition back into business – allowing you to focus on the year ahead with greater confidence and clarity.