In short
The short answer
- An unpaid ATO debt can lead to interest, penalties, and for certain amounts, personal liability for directors through a Director Penalty Notice.
- Options may include an ATO payment arrangement, an arrangement with commercial creditors, Small Business Restructuring, or another formal process. Which ones apply depends on the position of the company.
- Australian Financial Advisory assesses the position, sets out the options in writing, and refers ATO negotiation to a registered tax agent. We are not a tax agent and do not negotiate with the ATO ourselves.
What we do
An independent review of your full financial position
Before anyone approaches the ATO or a creditor on your behalf, you need to know exactly where you stand. We provide an independent assessment of your situation, so decisions are made from a position of knowledge, not panic.
Full financial review
We assess your ATO debt, creditor exposure, cash-flow position and repayment capacity, building a clear picture of where you actually stand.
Options assessment
We identify the pathways that may be realistic for your situation: an ATO payment arrangement through a registered tax agent, arrangements with commercial creditors, or a formal option where that is relevant.
Written report with recommended steps
You receive a clear written report setting out your position, your options and the recommended next steps, tailored to your circumstances.
Specialist referral
We connect you with the right specialist in our network: a registered tax agent for ATO matters, a licensed practitioner for a formal process, or a licensed finance broker if finance may be part of the solution.
What you need to know
ATO debt: what you need to know
The ATO offers payment arrangements in some circumstances. A registered tax agent can deal with the ATO on a company’s behalf. Australian Financial Advisory is not a registered tax agent and refers that work.
Commercial creditors can be approached under a signed authority. We help you understand where you stand before any conversation takes place.
Certain unpaid company tax debts can become a director’s personal liability through a Director Penalty Notice. Getting advice early matters.
Where finance may be part of the solution, we can pass on the details of a licensed finance broker. We do not arrange finance or provide credit assistance.
Any next step is your decision. We set out the options; we do not push a particular outcome.
Our role
What Australian Financial Advisory can and cannot do
We can
- Assess your ATO debt, creditor exposure and cash-flow position.
- Set out the options available to you in writing.
- Communicate with your company’s commercial creditors under a signed authority.
- Introduce a registered tax agent for ATO matters, or a licensed practitioner for a formal process.
We do not
- Negotiate directly with the ATO, apply for remission, or represent you in dealings with the Commissioner. That is tax agent work.
- Arrange finance or provide credit assistance. We can pass on a licensed broker’s details.
- Handle personal or consumer debts.
- Promise a reduction or a particular outcome. Outcomes vary case by case.
Common questions
ATO debt questions
Can you negotiate with the ATO on my behalf?
We're not a registered tax agent, so we don't provide tax agent services like direct ATO negotiation ourselves. Where that's relevant, we can point you toward appropriately licensed help.
Do you offer debt negotiation for personal debts?
We work with businesses on commercial facilities, not consumer credit. Different licensing rules apply to personal debt, which we don't handle.
Do you charge for the first conversation?
No, the initial consultation is free.
What happens after the Initial Advisory Report?
You get a written report setting out your position and options. Any next step is your decision, we don't push a particular outcome.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal, financial, taxation, or insolvency advice. Australian Financial Advisory Pty Ltd provides assessment and advisory services only. All specialist services are referred to appropriately licensed partners. You should seek independent professional advice before acting on any information on this page.
Content last updated: 2 October 2026.
Get started
Book your free initial consultation
The earlier you act, the more options may still be open. Tell us a little about your situation and we will be in touch to arrange a time.
What the free initial consultation covers
- A confidential first conversation to understand your situation and confirm whether we can help.
- The initial consultation is free. There is no cost and no obligation.
- Standard professional confidentiality applies.
- If we're not the right fit, we'll say so on that call.
- Any next step is your decision. We don't push a particular outcome.