Business Re-structuring

There are a range of reasons that business ownersSpecific examples include that if a sole trader or
may need to consider re-structuring their business. If:partnership decides to incorporate, under certain
* Your business is experiencing cash flow problems; *conditions, they may be eligible to deduct, over five
Your creditors are demanding payment of outstandingyears, costs incurred by them in relation to the
accounts and threatening legal action; * You’reincorporation such as legal, search or lodgement fees.
finding it hard to remain within your overdraft limit; *On the flip side, another entity may be liable for stamp
Your bank is making demands; * You have inheritedduty on the transfer of assets, capital gains tax and
company liabilities as a result of personal guaranteespossible loss of tax benefits that the current business
provided; * You are unable to make payments to thestructure is eligible for.
ATO on timethen you may need to look atIt is said there are two types of expertise that are
restructuring your business as a method of getting itrequired in order to implement a successful restructure,
back on its feet and heading in the right direction.traditional and contemporary. A knowledge of
Taking action to get a distressed business back ontraditional legal and accounting practices is necessary
track is generally the best option for all involved.in order to address areas such as taxation, the rights
Following a comprehensive independent review of theand shares of owners and the ownership of various
business, if it is deemed that restructuring is a viabletypes of assets.
option the next step is to determine which particularAdditionally, an up-to-date, working knowledge of the
restructuring components best suit the individualmodern business arena is needed to aid the
situation. Some possible options include restructuringdevelopment of modern business models, as well as
the business, the disposal of some divisions/assets thatto improve workflow management and online business
are not performing well or possible refinancing.and leverage with third parties. This contemporary
The range of areas that a business restructure canexpertise assists many businesses to operate
affect reach far and wide. Such areas can includecheaper, faster and better than their competitors. As
control of the business, asset protection planning,has been demonstrated, there are many issues to be
capital gains tax, stamp duty, income tax, GST, landaware of when looking to restructure a business,
tax, payroll tax, estate planning and succession issues.which is why it is extremely important to enlist the help
Depending on the individual situation this can haveof professional lawyers and accountants.
either be a positive or a negative effect.