Your client has an ATO debt problem. You keep the client.
When a client’s tax debt turns serious, most accountants face a hard choice: refer them to a liquidator and lose them, or try to manage a legal and insolvency problem alone. Partner with Business Tax Debt Help instead. We resolve the debt — you stay their accountant.
Why accountants partner with us
A tax debt crisis shouldn’t cost you a client.
When an ATO debt escalates — a Director Penalty Notice, a garnishee, a statutory demand — clients often end up with a liquidator. Once that happens the business is usually wound up, the engagement ends, and your work can come under scrutiny. There is a better referral.
Sending your client to a liquidator
Their duty is to creditors — not your client, and not you
- Owes statutory duties to creditors, not the director
- Investigates the company’s affairs — including the records and advice behind them
- Often only one outcome on the table: formal insolvency
- If the company is wound up, your engagement ends with it
- No legal professional privilege over your client’s conversations
Partnering with director-first advisors
We work for your client — alongside you
- You remain your client’s accountant throughout — and after
- Tax advisors and an associated law firm acting in the director’s interest
- Every option assessed: payment plans, SBR, DPN defence, restructure or trade-out
- You’re kept informed at every stage, with clear handover points
- Once the debt is resolved, the ongoing compliance work stays with you
Our partner commitment
We fix the debt. The client stays yours.
We’re not here to replace you. Our job is to take on the part of the problem that sits outside a normal accounting engagement — ATO negotiation, legal exposure and restructuring — and hand back a business that can keep trading and keep paying for your services.
You stay accountant of record
We don’t take over your client’s bookkeeping, BAS or tax returns. Your engagement continues as normal.
You stay in the loop
With your client’s consent, you’re copied into the assessment, the strategy and key milestones — no surprises.
You look like the hero
You brought in the specialists who saved the business. That builds loyalty, not doubt.
You’re protected too
Advice comes through a law firm, with privilege over the strategy — and a director-first approach rather than a creditor investigation.
Who does what
We take the work that sits outside your engagement.
You know the numbers. We bring the ATO negotiation, legal and insolvency expertise to use them — and the time to manage the process from start to finish.
ATO Payment Arrangements
Negotiated, sustainable plans the business can actually meet — including after a previous plan has defaulted.
BTD leads · you supply the figuresDirector Penalty Notice Defence
Urgent strategy within the 21-day window to limit or remove the director’s personal liability.
BTD leads · urgentSmall Business Restructuring
Eligible companies can compromise debt to as little as 20¢ in the dollar while the director stays in control.
BTD leads · you get lodgements currentGarnishee & Statutory Demands
Urgent action to lift garnishee notices, respond to statutory demands and stop wind-up applications.
BTD + associated law firmTax Debt Loan Solutions
Where it suits, specialist lenders refinance ATO debt into commercial finance — clearing the ATO and stopping enforcement.
BTD coordinatesVoluntary Administration
When formal insolvency is genuinely needed, we coordinate it on the director’s terms — aiming for a DOCA where possible.
BTD coordinatesHow the partnership works
Four steps — with you involved at every one.
No fees to start. A clear role for you at each stage, and a clean handback at the end.
Refer
Call us or send the referral form. We respond within the hour, and can speak with you first or go straight to your client.
Joint assessment
A free, confidential assessment of the client’s ATO position, cashflow and director exposure.
Strategy & quote
Your client receives a written recommendation and fixed-fee quote. With their consent, you get a copy.
Resolve & hand back
We deal with the ATO, creditors and paperwork until it’s resolved — then hand the business back to you.
When to refer
The earlier you call, the more options your client has.
Some pathways — like a DPN response or Small Business Restructuring — depend on timing. If you see any of these signs, a quick confidential call costs nothing.
A Director Penalty Notice has arrived
The director has 21 days to act. Waiting can turn company debt into personal debt.
Garnishee notice or statutory demand
Bank accounts frozen or a wind-up clock running — immediate legal response is needed.
A payment arrangement has defaulted
The ATO is less flexible the second time around. A properly structured proposal matters.
BAS or super lodgements are falling behind
Late lodgement can expose directors to personal liability that is much harder to remove.
The debt keeps growing, or credit reporting is on the cards
Ongoing arrears, GIC piling up, or the risk of the debt being reported to credit agencies.
Your client mentions “liquidator” or “shutting down”
Before they make that call, make sure they’ve seen every option.
Accountant FAQs
Questions accountants ask us.
Will you take over my client’s accounting work?
No. Our engagement is limited to resolving the tax debt and the legal and restructuring issues around it. Your client’s bookkeeping, BAS, tax returns and ongoing advice stay with you — and once the debt is resolved, we hand the business back.
Who pays for the work?
The initial call and assessment are free. If your client proceeds, they receive a written, fixed-fee quote before any work starts. There’s no cost to you for referring.
How involved can I be?
As involved as you and your client want. Many accountants join the first call, review the strategy and stay copied in on key milestones. With your client’s consent, we’ll share the assessment and recommendation with you.
Is my client’s information confidential?
Yes. Our advisors work alongside an associated law firm, so conversations about strategy can be protected by legal professional privilege. That is very different from walking into a liquidator’s office.
What if formal insolvency really is the right answer?
Sometimes it is. If so, we coordinate it on the director’s terms — after every alternative has been tested — and look for outcomes like a Deed of Company Arrangement that let the business continue.
My client’s lodgements are behind. Can you still help?
Yes — and this is where you’re essential. Most ATO solutions, including payment arrangements and Small Business Restructuring, need lodgements to be brought up to date. We’ll work with you to prioritise what’s needed first.
Refer a client
Bring us in early. Keep your client for the long run.
Send a confidential referral and a senior advisor will contact you within one business hour. Prefer to talk it through first? Call our partner line.
Accountant referral
Confidential. No cost to refer. We respond within one business hour.