We’re already knee-deep in the last quarter.

It’s the final sprint where advisors juggle lodgements, planning work, and clients racing to close out before Christmas — not to mention all the end-of-year networking and get-togethers. It can feel impossible to get much done.

For many, it’s the busiest stretch of the year — and it’s the one that sets the tone for 2026.

Before the rush truly sets in, now’s the time for focus and action.

Since 1 July, GIC interest has stopped being deductible. Each month of delay now costs even more.

This isn’t about blame or fear. Businesses are busy, and advisors are stretched thin. But the ATO clock doesn’t slow down for year-end — and the consequences keep adding up.

These last few weeks are for tidying lodgements, locking in plans, and clearing the decks. That’s how you start January in control instead of playing catch-up.

If it isn’t formalised, it isn’t protected. Voluntary payments don’t stop enforcement. Only a formal ATO plan — backed by current lodgements and sustainable terms — keeps the pressure in check.

In this edition: how to stay in control through the final quarter — and start the new year on the front foot.

"What happens now determines how the new year begins."  — Michael Moon, Tax Assure

This quarter’s BAS data has already hit the ATO systems, reactivating dormant debts and testing live plans.

That’s why pressure spikes now:

• Debts reopen automatically

• Plans default after one missed instalment

• Interest compounds at ~11% p.a.

Nothing has ‘tightened’ — the system’s just doing what it does, relentlessly.

The real challenge is time: using the remaining weeks to review, adjust, and stabilise before the pre-Christmas workload takes over.

▶️ Watch: How tax debt specialists & business advisors can work in parallel »

Most of the time, delay isn’t neglect — it’s people drowning in work, and consumed by competing priorities and limited cash flow. But the ATO, and the automated systems that support it, don’t wait for “when things quieten down.”

Every day you put off dealing with it adds more weight:

• Interest accrues daily

• Recovery can resume without warning

• Remission arguments weaken with time

• Cash flow pressure builds into February

Formalising early isn’t panic — it’s good planning. And it’s how advisors stay in control before the systems take it back.

At Tax Assure, we always say early action — or eating the frog — is the best approach. It’s the difference between reacting under pressure and setting the pace yourself.

▶️ Watch: Does the ATO treat interest & penalties differently to core debt? »

With GIC no longer deductible, more directors are turning to private loans to clear ATO arrears.

While private funding can look quick, it usually just shifts the risk — it doesn’t solve it.

Here’s how the difference plays out:

Private funding:

• Pushes business debt onto personal guarantees

• Limits future borrowing capacity

• Locks in interest that can’t be remitted

ATO payment plans:

• Keep risk within the business

• Support remission applications

• Strengthen the case for leniency and continuity

More often than not, a structured plan beats refinancing — it costs less in the long run and keeps the risk where it belongs.

Each case still needs to be assessed on its merits — and as always, early engagement and talking to specialists is the best way to ensure the right outcome.

▶️ Watch: ATO debt refinancing: options, pitfalls & how to avoid traps »

Small Business Restructures remain available — but approvals are tightening.

• Refusals are rising where compliance or forecasts fall short

• Lockdown DPNs can still attach to directors after an SBR

• Lenders often treat SBRs as insolvency events

For most clients, a formal payment plan with remission provides a cleaner, lower-risk path forward.

▶️ Watch: Do SBRs reset the clock for businesses with ATO debt? »

When the Plan Doesn’t Fit

A couple had entered a payment plan that quickly became unmanageable — repayments were rising faster than their cash flow, putting them at risk of default.

The Tax Assure team reviewed their position, secured short-term relief, and renegotiated a sustainable 36-month plan built around their actual cash flow.

Result: breathing room restored, compliance maintained, confidence regained.

Why it matters: The right plan fits the business — not the other way around. When it doesn’t, it’s time to renegotiate with experts who know the system.

For another example of how the right structure and the right help can change an outcome, watch the short case study below.

▶️ Watch: Case Study | Queensland construction company facing DPNs & hostile suppliers »

October Checklist

✅Keep BAS and IAS lodgements current
✅ Convert voluntary payers to formal plans
✅ Stress-test instalment affordability
✅ Engage early if payments slip
✅ Account for GIC (~11% p.a., non-deductible)
✅ Check credit status — ATO defaults can be removed; ASIC events cannot

Good plans: formally approved, sustainable, remission included
Risk plans: voluntary, informal, or one missed instalment from default

▶️ Watch: What a successful payment plan looks like »

1. Use what’s left of the year wisely.
Review lodgements, convert voluntary payers, and formalise plans before year-end workloads close the window.

2. Add a tax-debt check-in to your list.
One early conversation now can save months of repair in February.

We’re mid-pivot in the final stretch of the year — the point where focus shifts from closing out to setting up.

Use what’s left of 2025 to reset, not just survive. The work you do now sets the tone for the months ahead.

It’s in January and February that the impact of these weeks shows. If the groundwork isn’t set now, January turns into clean-up mode.

Connect with Tax Assure: If you’re unsure where to start, talk to someone who handles this every day. We work with accountants and advisors to secure payment plans, negotiate remission, and resolve ATO debt before enforcement escalates. Book a consultation »

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

▶️ Why talented business owners often run into trouble with the ATO »
▶️ How ATO negotiation & strategic loans fixed a $1.4M tax debt »
▶️ ATO negotiation specialists & business consultants working in parallel »
▶️ High LVR refinancing hacks to tackle ATO debt »

THAT’S IT FOR THIS EDITION

Got feedback? We’d love to know what landed—or what missed. Just hit reply and share your thoughts!

^{Disclaimer: The information provided is for general purposes only and should not be considered as specific financial, tax, or legal advice. We recommend consulting with a qualified tax professional or advisor to discuss your specific circumstances before making any decisions or engaging with the Tax Assure team directly.}