January 2026 Business Calendar: Key Dates and Tips for Australian Small Business Owners
- Leonie Martin
- Jan 1
- 3 min read
January often looks quieter than it really is — but for many small businesses, it’s one of the most important months of the year. While work eases back in, cash flow restarts slowly,
December obligations land, and key deadlines arrive before momentum fully returns.
Get January right and you’ll set the tone for the year ahead — with clearer numbers, fewer surprises and less catch-up as the year accelerates.
January isn’t just about deadlines — it’s also about resetting cash flow, systems and priorities after the break. We’ve explored this in more detail in our January business reset guide.
Here’s your January 2026 key business dates and practical tips to help you start the year organised, compliant and in control.
Key Dates for January 2026:
📌 Stay organised and ahead of January’s key business dates.
📅 1 January 2026 📌 Happy New Year!
Wishing you a fresh start, clear priorities and a confident year ahead in business.
📅 7 January 2026 📌 Payroll Tax – Monthly Lodgement (December wages)
Registered for payroll tax? Your December wages return and payment are due (state and territory rules apply).
📅 21 January 2026📌Monthly BAS/IAS Due (December)
Submit your BAS or IAS for December by the due date to stay compliant and avoid last-minute pressure.
📅 28 January 2026📌 December Quarter Superannuation
Ensure employee super contributions for the October–December quarter reach the fund by 28 January 2026 to avoid penalties and lost deductions.
Real-World Tips for Staying Ahead of January Deadlines
With key dates landing early in the year, January is less about doing more and more about resetting properly. These practical moves help you avoid starting the year in catch-up mode.
💡Cash flow first — January can feel tighter than expected
Client payments often restart slowly, while wages, super, rent and subscriptions resume immediately. Review outstanding invoices, turn reminders back on, and get clear on what’s coming in over the next 4–8 weeks.
💡Close December properly before racing ahead
Finalise December reconciliations, check unpaid invoices and supplier balances, and clear any loose ends. A clean December makes January reporting faster and far less stressful..
💡 Confirm super and payroll settings early
With the December quarter super deadline falling in January, double-check that super contributions, payroll calculations and any December adjustments are correct and scheduled on time.
💡Forecast cash flow for January–March 2026
January sets the tone for the quarter. A simple 3-month cash-flow forecast helps you plan around slower receipts, upcoming tax payments and known expenses.
💡Restart systems and automations
Make sure invoice reminders, bank rules, recurring invoices and payroll settings are switched back on and still fit how your business operates. Small tweaks now save hours later.
💡Review pricing, scope and workload as the year begins
January is a natural pause point to assess whether pricing, retainers or service scope still reflect the value you’re delivering — before the year accelerates.
How HelloLedger Can Help You Start 2026 with Clarity
If January feels heavier than it should, you’re not alone. HelloLedger helps small business owners reset after the break and regain control early in the year by helping them:
Stay on top of BAS, payroll tax and super without last-minute stress
Finalise December bookkeeping and clean up reconciliations properly
Get clear visibility over cash flow as income restarts more slowly
Reset systems and automations so invoicing and reporting run smoothly
Review pricing, structure and processes to support growth in 2026
Book a discovery call today to take the pressure off January and start the year organised, confident and in control — with numbers that support better decisions all year.
