Tax for Sole Traders Australia
This page is a practical starting point for sole traders who want to understand the core tax obligations before jumping into a calculator: income tax, GST, PAYG instalments, super, and the records the ATO expects.
Quick answer: a sole trader is not a separate tax entity. You report business income and expenses in your individual tax return, pay tax at individual rates on net business profit, and may also need to deal with GST, BASs, and PAYG instalments depending on your turnover and ATO settings.
Core sole trader tax checkpoints
- Business income goes in your individual return: there is no separate company tax return for a sole trader business.
- GST registration threshold: you generally need to register once annual GST turnover reaches $75,000 or more.
- PAYG instalments: many sole traders move into quarterly prepayments after the ATO reviews their latest tax return.
- Super: you do not pay super guarantee for yourself, but personal deductible contributions may still be available.
- Small business income tax offset: some sole traders may qualify for the unincorporated small business offset if the eligibility rules are met.
Common sole trader mistakes
What to avoid
- Treating private drawings as a deductible wage to yourself
- Waiting too long to plan for GST or PAYG cash flow
- Assuming every business purchase is immediately deductible without checking the asset rules
- Ignoring personal super contribution notice requirements before claiming a deduction
What to keep ready
- Invoices, income records, and bank statements
- Receipts for each business expense and working papers for mixed-use costs
- GST and BAS records if registered
- Super contribution confirmations and notice of intent acknowledgments where relevant
Start with these calculators
Sole trader tax calculator
Estimate income tax, GST, PAYG instalments, and take-home pay on business profit.
BAS calculator
Check GST, PAYG withholding, and instalment amounts for reporting periods.
GST calculator
Quickly move between GST-inclusive and GST-exclusive figures.
Salary sacrifice calculator
Useful when comparing employment options against self-employed income planning.
Sole trader tax FAQs
Do sole traders pay company tax?
No. Sole trader business profit is taxed in the individual tax return, not at the company tax rate.
When does a sole trader need to register for GST?
Usually once annual GST turnover reaches $75,000 or more, or earlier if a specific industry rule applies.
Do sole traders have to pay themselves super?
No compulsory super guarantee applies to your own self-employed income, but deductible personal super contributions may still be available if you follow the ATO process.
Tax Accuracy & Sources
This page summarises common sole trader obligations only. The exact reporting outcome depends on turnover, GST registration, whether PAYG instalments have started, asset treatment, and whether you met the notice requirements for any deductible personal super contributions.
Uses 2025-26 ATO rates.