Simple bookkeeping for first-year sole traders, starting with a free BAS due-dates checklist
Download the one-page checklist of the usual quarterly BAS due dates. General info, not tax advice. Always check ato.gov.au for your own dates.
Download the free checklist (PDF)The full kit is coming soon.
Why First Year Books?
Everything in one file
Income, expenses, monthly totals and invoices in one workbook, set up for the Australian 1 July – 30 June tax year.
GST-aware, only if you need it
Not registered? GST columns stay at zero. Registered? It works out GST as 1/11 of GST-inclusive amounts you mark, and groups them by BAS quarter.
A home for your tax savings
Choose your own set-aside % and track what you've actually saved each month. No guesswork baked in.
What's inside
- ✅ Start Here guide in plain English
- ✅ Settings: business name, ABN, GST registered Y/N, your own tax set-aside %
- ✅ Income log and Expense log (category dropdowns, GST Y/N column)
- ✅ Monthly summary, July to June
- ✅ BAS quarter helper (G1, 1A, 1B totals for Q1–Q4, with a reminder to check ATO due dates)
- ✅ Tax set-aside tracker
- ✅ Invoice template with the details the ATO lists for a tax invoice
- ✅ Optional business kms log
GST, tax invoice and BAS quarter rules checked against ATO guidance as at Oct 2026. Record-keeping tool only, not tax advice.
The full kit: coming soon
First Year Books is a simple bookkeeping spreadsheet for first-year Australian sole traders, sold by Tim Warburton. Log your income and expenses, see monthly totals, check your last 12 months against the A$75k GST threshold, and get BAS quarter totals (G1, 1A, 1B) once you're GST-registered. It also has an invoice tab that shows TAX INVOICE or INVOICE depending on your GST status. Excel, opens in Google Sheets. It's a record-keeping tool, not tax advice, built with the help of AI tools.
Rideshare drivers must register for GST before their first trip. If you earn through food delivery or other platforms, check the ATO's sharing economy guidance or ask a registered tax agent.
The full kit is coming soon.
FAQ
Is this tax advice?
No. It's a record-keeping tool only, not tax, financial or legal advice. Check with a registered tax agent or the ATO for your situation.
Do I need to be registered for GST?
Not to use the kit. It works either way. The ATO explains when registration is required on ato.gov.au ("Registering for GST").
What software do I need?
Google Sheets (free), Excel or LibreOffice. There are no macros or add-ons.
How do I get the file?
The kit isn't on sale yet. When it is, you'll get a download link straight after purchase.
Will the price change?
We plan to raise it to A$20 after our first 10 reviews.
Can I get a refund?
If the file is faulty or not as described, yes. See our refund policy.
Can I share or resell it?
It's licensed for your own personal or business use. See the terms.