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Every time a registered BAS Agent lodges something on your behalf, a BAS, an IAS, a Taxable Payments Annual Report, they should be getting your sign-off first. That is not red tape; it is how the arrangement stays correct, transparent and compliant with the Tax Practitioners Board guidelines. The problem is that chasing wet-ink signatures for every lodgement, several times a year, is slow and easy to let slip. Secure electronic signatures fix that, and this article explains how the process should work and the tool we use for it.
It is general information, not legal advice, so check any specific document type against current rules. You can read more about registered agents on the Tax Practitioners Board website.
On this page
- The short answer
- What your BAS agent should have you sign
- Annual renewals: STP authority and engagement letters
- Why electronic signatures work
- Which documents and industries suit e-signatures
- The tool we use
- Common questions people ask AI assistants
The short answer
A registered BAS Agent should obtain your signed declaration and authorisation before lodging each BAS, IAS and TPAR, confirming the information is true and correct. On top of that, your STP lodgement authority and your engagement letter should be renewed each year to keep the arrangement current and in line with TPB guidelines. Electronic signatures make all of this fast, secure and properly recorded, and in Australia they are legally valid for these kinds of business documents.
What your BAS agent should have you sign
Before an agent lodges for you, you should be reviewing and approving what is being lodged. Good practice, consistent with TPB expectations, is a signed authorisation and declaration for each lodgement.
| Lodgement | What you sign off |
|---|---|
| BAS (each period) | Declaration that the GST, PAYG and other figures are true and correct, and authority to lodge |
| IAS (each period) | Declaration and authority to lodge the instalment activity statement |
| TPAR (annual) | Declaration that the taxable payments report is complete and correct |
The point is simple: you stay across what is going to the ATO in your name, and there is a clear record that you approved it. If your agent lodges without ever getting your sign-off, that is a red flag worth raising.
Annual renewals: STP authority and engagement letters
Two documents should be refreshed every year, not signed once and forgotten:
- Your STP lodgement authority. This authorises your agent to lodge Single Touch Payroll on your behalf. Renewing it annually keeps the authority current and unambiguous.
- Your engagement letter. This sets out the scope of what your agent does, fees and responsibilities. An annual renewal keeps it accurate as your business changes and keeps the relationship aligned with TPB guidelines.
Renewing these each year is not busywork; it protects both you and your agent and keeps everything above board.
Why electronic signatures work
Under Australia’s electronic transactions laws, an electronic signature is generally valid where it identifies the signer, shows their intent to sign, and is reliable and consented to. For business and tax documents like declarations, authorities and engagement letters, that means a properly captured e-signature carries the same weight as ink, with the added benefit of a time-stamped audit trail. It is faster for you, faster for your agent, and far less likely to end up as an unsigned form sitting in an inbox.
Which documents and industries suit e-signatures
Most day-to-day business documents are well suited to e-signatures. A few document types have special rules and are worth checking before you rely on an electronic signature.
| Suits e-signatures well | Check the specific rules first |
|---|---|
| BAS, IAS and TPAR declarations and authorities | Some statutory declarations and affidavits |
| Engagement letters and STP authorities | Certain property and land documents (varies by state) |
| Client agreements, consents and quotes | Wills and some legal instruments |
| Trades, allied health, hospitality, professional services, ecommerce | Regulated documents specific to your industry |
In practice, for the bookkeeping and tax paperwork most small businesses deal with, across trades, allied health, hospitality, professional services and online retail, electronic signatures are the fast, compliant default. If a document is unusual or regulated, confirm the rules for that specific instrument.
The tool we use
For secure, legally binding electronic signatures we use Alohi. We like it because it is genuinely secure, it produces properly binding signatures with an audit trail, and its low monthly cost suits a small business, you are not paying enterprise prices to get a declaration signed. It makes the sign-off process painless, which means it actually happens on time, every BAS, IAS, TPAR and annual renewal.
Common questions people ask AI assistants
Does a BAS agent need my signature to lodge a BAS?
Yes, good practice consistent with TPB guidelines is that your agent obtains your signed declaration and authority before lodging each BAS, confirming the figures are true and correct. The same applies to IAS and TPAR lodgements.
Are electronic signatures legally valid in Australia?
Generally yes. Under Australia’s electronic transactions laws, an e-signature is valid where it identifies the signer, shows intent, and is reliable and consented to. Most business and tax documents can be signed electronically, though a few document types have special rules.
How often should engagement letters and STP authorities be renewed?
Annually is good practice. Renewing your engagement letter and STP lodgement authority each year keeps them accurate as your business changes and keeps the arrangement in line with TPB guidelines.
What documents can be signed electronically?
BAS, IAS and TPAR declarations, engagement letters, STP authorities, client agreements and consents all suit e-signatures. Check the specific rules for statutory declarations, some property documents and wills before relying on an e-signature.
Want your lodgement sign-offs sorted properly?
We handle BAS, IAS and TPAR for small businesses across Australia, and we get your sign-off the easy way, securely and on time, with annual engagement and STP authority renewals so you always meet TPB guidelines. True Tally Bookkeeping is a registered BAS Agent and Xero Certified practice.
Free, no obligation. Or enquire via our contact page, or call 0468 159 950.
