Revitalizing Business Success: Time For a Restructure

The new financial year can be a time when business owners look at their operating structure and consider whether it still meets their needs.

Choosing a structure is not simply about minimising tax, rather a range of factors should be considered such as asset protection, establishment and ongoing compliance costs, succession planning, and your understanding of each structure etc.

Most small businesses operate as sole-trader, companies, trusts, or partnerships.  The following table is a comparative snapshot of each of the four structures:

Factors to considerSole-TraderCompanyTrustPartnership
Cheap to set up and administer?YesNoNoYes
Limited record-keeping or recording?YesNoNoYes
Minimal legal requirements?YesNoNoYes
Protection from personal liability?NoYesYesNo
Profits are added to your personal income?YesNo*No*Yes
Easy to understand?YesNoNoYes
Ability to admit business partners/successional-planning friendly?NoYesNoYes
CGT-friendly?YesNoYesYes
*subject to the Personal Service Income (PSI) rules

Why and how to periodically review your business structure

You may find that, as your business grows or as your priorities change, your chosen structure no longer serves your needs. For example, a number of people commence businesses as sole traders (often for reasons of simplicity as well as keeping start-up costs to a minimum) but later find that this structure is no longer appropriate. 

From an income tax perspective, a drawback with sole traders is that income from the business is assessed personally to you at your marginal tax rates. As your business grows and the revenue generated increases, your tax rate also increases. 

The take-home message is that you should periodically review your structure to ensure it continues to serve your needs. Be mindful however that changing structures can have CGT and stamp duty consequences – these one-off costs need to be taken into account when making the decision whether to change. 

Also note that under the small business rollover provisions, it may be possible for you to change your structure without incurring CGT.

If you are contemplating changing your business operating structure, feel free to reach out to our accountants at W Wen & Co, You can contact our office at (02)8090 2449

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