Miscellaneous 2016

A look at how the Commissioner deals with phoenix companies

Source: Taxation In Australia Journal Article

Published Date: 1 Aug 2016

 

Phoenix activity typically involves the liquidation of a company with accrued debts, often including tax debts and employee entitlements, and the transfer of assets to related parties, following which the directors incorporate a new company and carry on the business as before, but now, hopefully, released from the creditors of the former company. Phoenix activity has long been a problem for creditors, notably including the Commissioner of Taxation. In recent years, the struggle against such practices has intensified, with pushes to
reformulate the law, increased monitoring of culprits and harsher penalties.

This article examines the problems posed by phoenix activity, and discusses the various remedies available to the Commissioner for deterrence and recovery. These include winding up, freezing orders and Mareva injunctions, director penalty notices, garnishee notices, PAYG withholding non-compliance tax, and security deposits. The a rticle also briefly discusses ATO initiatives to mitigate against the prevalence of phoenix activities.

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