Does this sound like you? You run a successful family-owned business through a private company. Over the years, your company has accumulated profits that could help fund personal investments or assist family members. Like many SME owners, you see no harm in accessing these profits informally. After all, it’s your business, right?
When you’re facing mounting debts, overdue tax, or pressure from creditors, it’s easy to feel like the walls are closing in. For many small business owners, the fear of losing everything—your business, your reputation, your ability to keep trading—is paralysing.
However, you may have more options than you realise.
If you’re a farmer who buys, sells, or borrows against livestock, machinery, or crops, you need to know about the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). Whether you’re selling livestock on account, leasing equipment, or buying second-hand machinery, the PPSR is a crucial tool to protect your rights — and to avoid nasty surprises down the track.
Subdividing your land is a great way to release money for other projects as the prices of Australian real estate continue to climb. However, the tax consequences of subdivision and development are complicated. Getting the details wrong could cost you up to 100% more tax than you would otherwise be required to pay.
With the coming of a new year come new ideas, plans and goals. Sometimes these may come about because of a change in circumstances and needs. In other cases, these may be a necessary undertaking due to a change in law, regulation or requirements. Here are some legal issues that we think will be hot issues in 2025 and our tips to help you navigate them.
