Before It Gets to a DPN: The Conversation You’re Currently Missing
Tax Debt Corner column from CAFBA’s Commercial Insider Somewhere in your book right now, a client is carrying tax debt they haven’t told you about. Maybe they don’t think it’s your business. Maybe they’re embarrassed. Maybe they don’t realise how fast it moves once it starts moving. Either way, the clock is already running, and […]
Payday Super is about to send you more clients with ATO debt than you’ve had all year
Here’s a prediction I’m confident in: over the next two quarters, more of your clients are going to show up with ATO debt attached to their deal than at any point since Covid. Payday Super went live on 1 July. Super now has to land in the employee’s account within seven business days of every […]
Own the tax conversation, own the client
Most brokers treat a client’s tax debt as a problem to route around. Spot it, flag it, hope the deal survives it. I want to make the case for the opposite. The tax conversation is the one you should be running toward, because the broker who owns it is the broker that client keeps calling. […]
Tax Debt Corner: The Tax Ombudsman’s GIC Review — The Broker Read
The Tax Ombudsman released her GIC remission review this month. Ruth Owen followed it up with a direct address on the findings. It’s a significant piece of work, and the most substantial independent scrutiny of the ATO’s approach to GIC remission in years. Most of the coverage has focused on what it means for accountants, […]
For Brokers: Why Compliance Is the Key to Keeping Deals Alive
If you’re a broker writing commercial deals right now, you’re seeing tax debt. A lot of it. With ATO debt hitting $105 billion — and $54 billion of that actively being chased, two-thirds from SMEs — it’s affecting deals across the board. From initial applications through to settlement, ATO debt creates friction at every stage […]
Remission Isn’t Pot Luck: Why Specialists Deliver Better Outcomes with the ATO
The Tax Ombudsman’s review of the ATO’s approach to interest remission and penalties has sparked headlines — and rightly so. Ruth Owen has called out what many in the tax profession have been saying quietly for years: that remission outcomes often feel inconsistent, opaque, or even like “pot luck.” Any move toward greater transparency, efficiency, […]
Tax Debt in 2025: What Every Business Owner and Director Must Know
TL;DR: ATO enforcement in 2025 is fast, data-driven, and unforgiving. Here’s how to stay ahead — before your options vanish. In 2025, the ATO isn’t sending letters — it’s sending garnishee notices. Enforcement is data-driven, fast, and often invisible. With $53 billion in unpaid tax on their radar — two-thirds of it from SMEs — the […]
GIC & SIC No Longer Deductible from 1 July: What You Need to Know
From 1 July 2025, GIC and SIC will no longer be tax deductible. If you’re advising clients with tax debt—or you’re carrying ATO debt yourself—this matters. It means the cost of falling behind with the ATO just got higher. A lot higher. The Change Right now, GIC and SIC are deductible. From 1 July 2025, […]
Why Accountants Need to Partner with Tax Debt Specialists
In my 11 years as a tax debt negotiator, I’ve seen how complex and stressful ATO enforcement actions can be for businesses. As accountants, you’re often the first point of contact for clients facing tax debt. While you’re experts in financials, tax advice, and compliance, tax debt is a different beast altogether. With ATO enforcement […]
Tax Debt Conundrum: Sizing Up A New Opportunity for Brokers
Tax debt is an ever-growing concern for Australian businesses, and in today’s volatile economic landscape, it’s becoming a key barrier to business success. For brokers, this presents both a challenge and a unique opportunity. Understanding tax debt, its implications, and how to navigate it is no longer just an optional skill—it’s essential to your role […]
Effective ATO Debt Renegotiation Strategies
One of the biggest challenges many businesses face when dealing with tax debt is the upfront payment requirement from the Australian Tax Office (ATO). This can often push businesses into further financial strain, especially if they are already dealing with external pressures like supply chain issues or staffing shortages. Recently, we worked with a commercial air […]
Can a director become personally liable for a company’s unpaid taxes and how can you avoid this?
As the director of a company, you are responsible for ensuring that the company meets its ATO
obligations, including its pay as you go withholding (PAYGW), goods and services tax (GST) and
superannuation guarantee contribution (SGC) obligations.
