Your Post-COVID Business Repair Kit

With June 30 behind us and the economy slowly re-opening, most business owners are thinking about the challenge of repairing and rebuilding their finances after the COVID-19 lockdown.

Over the next few months, key tests will come with the withdrawal of government stimulus measures like JobKeeper and the return of your normal wages, rent and financing expenses.

An end to landlord rent deferrals and business loan repayment holidays, for those who had them, will make cashflow and debtor management increasingly important. Throw in closer scrutiny of on-going business viability by the banks and an end to higher debt amounts before creditors can issue statutory demands or initiate bankruptcy proceedings, and the future looks challenging.

Things to do now

Given the challenge, there are important actions you should consider in order to rebuild your business finances and get your tax affairs in order.

A great one to start with is getting your Business Activity Statement (BAS) lodged promptly if you're eligible for the Boosting Cashflow for Employers scheme.

Qualifying businesses will receive a second boost for the period July to September 2020 after you lodge your BAS. If you want to receive the stimulus you must lodge by the 28 July and 28 October quarterly due dates.

Check your tax compliance

It's also important to ensure your Single Touch Payroll (STP) data remains correct, as the ATO is using it to actively review business entitlement for government support measures. Remember, the STP data is also likely to be audited in the future, particularly in relation to JobKeeper payments.

If you're having payment or reporting difficulties, consider contacting the ATO as it's offering tailored support plans for individual businesses. You may even be able to defer some of your tax obligations until later in the year.

Monitor your financial position

Key activities in the months ahead will be performing a detailed financial health check on your business and ensuring your budget matches current business conditions.

With the economic situation continuing to evolve, assumptions used to develop your budget can quickly become out-dated, so you may need to revise them.

As the insolvency relief measures come to an end, regularly measure your solvency to ensure you do not accidentally trade while insolvent.

If you happen to find yourself in financial difficulty, talk to us early on so we can develop a strategy to work through your problems, or help fast-tracking an application for financial assistance.

Review your debtor management

You should also regularly check your debt position. Ensure you invoice promptly and follow up old debts.

If debtors have been severely affected by the pandemic, consider writing-off the debts. Debts can be written off against your income in the financial year in which they are written off, regardless of when you invoiced them.

With business conditions likely to remain difficult, think about reviewing your credit policy and consider whether your credit conditions remain appropriate.

Develop strong liquidity

During a recession, your cashflow and cash reserve positions need to be constantly monitored so you are forewarned of any potential problems.

You may also need to change your accounting processes. For example, changing your GST reporting cycle or moving to accounting for GST on a cash rather than accruals basis means you pay GST to the ATO when you actually collect it not when you issue your invoice.

Consider asset purchases

If you are lucky enough to still have strong cashflow, you could take advantage of the government's further extension to 31 December 2020 of the $150,000 instant asset write-off.

Purchasing capital equipment could help reduce your taxable income in the new financial year and grow your business. We can help you work out if your business has sufficient cashflow to make a purchase and whether it's best to use the instant asset write-off or normal depreciation rules.

Review your business structure

A new financial year is also a good time to start long-term tax planning. Think about planning your tax affairs to ensure you minimise your overall tax payable, so next June isn't all about making last minute decisions.

This could include looking at the appropriateness of your current business structure. The structure you started out with may no longer be the most tax effective if your business has grown, or for surviving a recession.

We can review your current business structure to see if it's still the best option, or if changing it could help cut your tax bill. Restructuring from a sole trader to a company for example, could reduce your tax rate from 45 per cent to the flat 26 per cent company rate.

Start your business exit planning

If you've been in business for a few years and are contemplating selling or retiring in the next 10 years, it's wise to start planning your exit now.

Six months before you want out is not the time to begin planning if you want to do it tax effectively. Having a detailed strategy to access the valuable capital gains tax concessions available for small businesses will potentially save you thousands in tax when you sell.

Please contact us if you would like help getting your business back in business and ready for the future.

Every effort has been made to offer the most current, correct and clearly expressed information possible within this site. Nonetheless, inadvertent errors can occur and applicable laws, rules and regulations may change. The information contained in this site is general and is not intended to serve as advice. No warranty is given in relation to the accuracy or reliability of any information. Users should not act or fail to act on the basis of information contained herein. Users are encouraged to contact Rhodes Docherty & Co professional advisers for advice concerning specific matters before making any decision. Liability limited by a scheme approved under the Professional Standards Legislation.

Rhodes Docherty Financial Advisors Pty Ltd ABN 43 122 391 315 is an Authorised Representative of RDC Advisors Pty Ltd, Australian Financial Services Licensee No. 396268 (Ph. 02 9988 4033). Any advice contained in this website is of a general nature only and does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You should seek advice from Rhodes Docherty Financial Advisors who can consider if the general advice is right for you.