When Lockdown DPNs Get Personal
Small Business Restructuring
Restructure debts and secure your business's future.
Small Business Restructuring (SBR) is an initiative by the ATO aimed at helping businesses reduce their debts and create a recovery plan within a streamlined 35-business-day timeframe.
Through SBR, businesses can present a debt restructuring proposal to creditors while retaining full control over their operations.
Why choose a Small Business Restructure?
Fast and Efficient Process : A streamlined process that is typically completed in 35-45 business days.
Unlock Tax Debt Discounts : Avoid DPN lockdowns which would otherwise freeze asset and halt business progress.
Avoid DPN Lockdowns: Secure significant discounts on core tax debts, especially with the ATO.
At TTJ Advisory, we understand the pressures directors face, particularly when grappling with tax debts and insolvency.
The Benefits of Restructuring
Protect from Personal Liability
By entering an SBR, directors can manage their company's debts in a structured manner, potentially shielding themselves from personal liability.
Continued Business Operations
Unlike liquidation, which often means the end of the business, SBR allows the company to continue trading while addressing its financial issues.
Negotiated Debt Settlement
We can help reduce the debt obligations by up to 80%
Avoid Bankruptcy
SBR provides a pathway to resolve financial difficulties without resorting to bankruptcy.
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Tools & Resources
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Compass
Insolvency is tough, but it's not the end. With the right guidance and a proactive approach, you can navigate through this and emerge stronger.
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Director Penalty Notices (DPNs) can have serious financial consequences, holding directors personally liable for unpaid company tax debts. This eBook explains how to respond, and strategies to protect your assets.
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What if the company can’t pay debts to creditors?In this case, you may need a Voluntary Administrator (VA) or a Small Business Restructuring (SBR) practitioner. TTJ Advisory can help by: Identifying tax debts tied to director penalties, Negotiating with creditors for debt compromises, Generating working capital through restructuring to address outstanding debts, and Sourcing funding through future profits, personal contributions, or third-party funds. This proactive approach gives you a structured plan to manage debts while preserving the company's ability to operate.
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Is liquidation necessary if i can’t pay the debts?In cases where there is no chance of recovery, commencing liquidation will stop the clock on the DPN and help directors avoid personal liability under certain circumstances. Our in house liquidator will assist you through the process.
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I have been issued a lockdown DPN - what do I do next?Lockdown Director Penalty Notices (DPNs) are issued to directors when a company fails to submit its business activity statements (BAS), instalment activity statements, or superannuation guarantee statements within three months of the due date. Once a lockdown DPN is issued, the penalty becomes fixed, meaning the director is personally liable for the unpaid debt. This liability cannot be removed or cancelled through any other means except by paying off the debt in full. Placing the company into voluntary administration or liquidation will not extinguish this personal liability.
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What are your options once you receive a lockdown DPN?Pay the Debt in Full: The most direct and essential option is to pay off the company’s tax debt in full. This is the only way to clear the liability imposed by a Lockdown DPN. Personal Insolvency Agreement (PIA): This is a legally binding agreement where the director makes a proposal to creditors (such as the ATO) to settle the debts over time or partially. A PIA allows the director to avoid bankruptcy, but it requires the appointment of a bankruptcy trustee to manage the agreement. The trustee will take control of the director's assets and administer the terms of the agreement, including negotiating with creditors. Bankruptcy: If the director is unable to pay the debt or arrange a PIA, declaring bankruptcy may be the final option. In this case, a bankruptcy trustee is appointed to manage the director’s assets and debts. The trustee will oversee the liquidation of assets to pay off the debts and handle communications with creditors, including the ATO.
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How are creditor payments prioritised in liquidation?Payments follow a set order, prioritising employee entitlements and secured creditors before other unsecured debts. Unsecured creditors can file claims and receive distributions based on available funds and the priority order.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Small Business Restructuring Process
01
Appointment of TTJ Advisory
The process begins when company directors decide to appoint us as the SBR Practitioner.
02
Eligibility Assessment & Plan development
We will do a thorough assessment of the company's eligibility and create a plan to repay creditors either partially or in full, offering a better plan than liquidation.
Plan proposal timeline
Once restructuring begins, the company has 20 business days to develop and submit the plan to creditors. During this period, most security enforcement actions against the company are paused.
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04
Creditor Voting
Creditors have 15 business days to review and vote on the Plan. Approval requires more than 50% of the unrelated creditors (by value) to support it.
05
Business as Usual
If approved, the company will continue to trade while the SBR Practitioner oversees the plan. The plan must be completed within 3 years.