Clear an ATO debt this week, not next quarter.
- Funding for an ATO or tax debt, often within 2 business days
- Loans from $20K to $5M, secured and unsecured
- Business owners, company directors, and self-employed ABN holders
- Payment plans in default, garnishee notices, and director penalty notices considered
- Full-doc (tax returns), low-doc or alt-doc (BAS, bank statements or an accountant's letter instead), and no-doc options across our 90+ lender panel
A tax debt has a way of growing quietly and then becoming urgent all at once. General interest charge (the ATO's interest on unpaid tax) accrues, a payment arrangement gets missed, and suddenly there is a letter with a deadline on it. If that is where you are, it is a solvable problem, and there are lenders who fund it. ATO tax debt finance is funding used to pay out or restructure what you owe, so the debt sits with a lender on terms you can plan around instead of with the ATO. Joseph Farhat and his team have placed a lot of these scenarios, there is no judgement in the conversation, and you will get an honest answer quickly.
Who we can help access finance
- Businesses that have received a letter or notice from the ATO with a deadline attached and need to act.
- Owners whose payment arrangement has fallen over, or who know they cannot meet the next instalment.
- Businesses where the tax debt is now blocking other finance, refinancing, or a property settlement.
- Directors concerned about a director penalty notice and wanting the debt dealt with properly.
- Self-employed borrowers and ABN holders who fell behind on BAS (business activity statements) or on PAYG withholding, the tax taken from wages, through a genuinely difficult period.
- Businesses that can trade profitably but need the debt moved onto a term they can actually service.
- Owners with property equity who want to replace an accruing ATO balance with a fixed repayment and an end date.
How ATO Tax Debt Finance Works
The lender advances funds that pay the ATO debt out, in full or in part, and you repay the lender over an agreed term. The debt does not disappear, it moves to a structure with a fixed repayment and an end date, which is usually far easier to plan around than an accruing balance. Where property equity is available, the funding can be secured against it, which brings the cost down significantly and extends the term. Where it is not, non-bank lenders will assess the trading account and turnover instead. Joseph Farhat and his team review the size of the debt, your trading position, and any security available, match the scenario to the right lender from the 90+ panel, and manage the application through to funding.
One thing to be clear about: we are a finance broker, not your accountant or tax adviser. We do not advise on your tax position, negotiate with the ATO on your behalf, or tell you which option is best for you. Keep your accountant involved. What we do is present your scenario to lenders who fund these situations and tell you honestly what funding is available.
Tax debt finance by situation and industry
An ATO debt rarely looks the same twice. A director holding a penalty notice has a different deadline from a builder whose GST is due on claims that have not been paid. These pages go into the detail for specific situations and industries.
By situation
- Director Penalty Notice finance For directors with a notice and 21 days to act.
- Garnishee notice finance For businesses where the ATO is collecting directly from the bank or customers.
- Super guarantee debt finance For employers behind on super since Payday Super began.
- ATO payment plan refinance For a plan that has defaulted or is costing more than expected.
- ATO intent to disclose finance For businesses told an ATO debt may be reported to credit reporting bureaus.
- ATO debt holding up a settlement For owners whose sale or refinance is at risk because of the tax side.
What Lenders Assess for ATO Tax Debt Finance
Size of the debt against turnover
a debt that is a manageable fraction of annual revenue is treated very differently to one that is a multiple of it.
How the debt arose
a difficult trading period, a bad debtor, or an illness is understood. A pattern of non-lodgement across several years is harder to place.
Lodgement status
most lenders want returns and BAS up to date, or a clear plan to bring them up to date. This is usually the first thing to fix.
Current trading
recent bank statements showing the business is trading and can carry a repayment matter more than historical financials.
Security available
property equity opens up much lower rates and longer terms. Without it, the funding is assessed on turnover and costs more.
Existing arrangements
whether a payment plan is in place and being met, and whether a director penalty notice has been issued.
Other commitments
existing facilities, equipment finance, and short-term debt all count towards what a lender will approve.
The ATO Tax Debt Finance Process: What to Expect
- Talk to Joseph Farhat and his team about the size of the debt, any deadline you are facing, and what security you have. You will get an honest read on what is achievable, including if the answer is that funding will be difficult.
- Provide the basics: a current ATO account statement, recent business bank statements, and details of any payment arrangement. Your accountant can usually pull these quickly.
- We match your scenario to the lenders on the panel most likely to fund it at a sensible price. Every application is recorded as an enquiry on your credit file, which matters more than usual when time is short.
- The lender assesses the file and issues an approval with the rate, term, fees, and security set out. We go through it with you, including the total cost, before you sign anything.
- Funds are paid to the ATO, in full or as agreed, and your repayments to the lender begin on the agreed cycle. We stay in contact so you have someone to call if the position changes.
Indicative Finance Options
| Lender Type | Indicative Rate | Security | Typical Loan Range | Loan Term | Speed to Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank | Rarely funded as a standalone tax debt payout. May be possible within a broader business or property refinance. | ||||
| Non-Bank Lenders | From ~12% p.a. | Unsecured or business assets | $20K to $1M | 3 to 36 months | Within 2 business days |
| Private Finance | From ~1.2% per month | Property security | $100K to $5M | 1 to 24 months | Available for unique scenarios |
Indicative figures only. Actual rates and terms depend on your project, financial position, property location, and lender assessment at the time of application. Rates are subject to change.
Why borrowers choose Settled With Joe for tax debt finance
We represent you, not the lender
Joseph Farhat and his team act in your interest from the first conversation through to funding.
Lender policy on tax debt varies more than on most products
some will not touch a file with an ATO balance, some fund alongside a payment arrangement, and some pay the debt out entirely.
We already know which ones do what
that knowledge saves time when there is a deadline on the letter.
One conversation, not five applications
each credit enquiry is recorded on your file, which matters more than usual when time is short.
90+ lenders on one panel
bank, non-bank, and specialist, assessed against your trading position and any security available.
No judgement
we have placed a lot of these files and we know a tax debt usually says more about a hard period than about the business.
Managed end to end
Joseph Farhat and his team review the debt, package the file properly, and manage it through to funding.
Private finance for unique scenarios
where bank and non-bank lenders are not the right fit, we can introduce you to private finance options.
Usually no direct cost to you
as a broker we are typically paid by the lender on settlement.
An honest answer early
if there is a deadline on the letter, tell us early and we will tell you what is realistically achievable.
Frequently asked questions
What is ATO tax debt finance?
ATO tax debt finance is business funding used to pay out or restructure money owed to the Australian Taxation Office, including BAS, GST, PAYG, and income tax liabilities. The lender advances the funds, the ATO balance is cleared or reduced, and you repay the lender over an agreed term. The debt does not disappear, it moves to a structure with a fixed repayment and a defined end date rather than a balance that keeps accruing general interest charge.
Can I get finance to pay out an ATO debt?
In many cases, yes. A number of lenders on our panel fund tax debt directly, either paying the ATO out in full or clearing enough of the balance to get a workable arrangement in place. What they need to see is that the business is trading, that lodgements are up to date or about to be, and that the repayment is serviceable. Where property equity is available the options widen considerably and the cost drops. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you early whether your scenario is fundable.
How fast can ATO tax debt finance be arranged?
Unsecured facilities assessed on your trading account can often be funded within 2 business days once we have your statements and a current ATO account summary. Property-secured funding takes longer because a valuation and security documentation are involved. If you are working to a deadline on an ATO notice, say so at the first conversation. Joseph Farhat and his team will identify the fastest appropriate lender on the panel and manage the process to keep it moving.
How much can I borrow to clear a tax debt?
Unsecured funding is generally sized against your trading turnover, commonly landing between $20,000 and $1,000,000. Where property equity is available as security, funding can extend well beyond that at a materially lower rate and over a longer term. The practical limit is usually serviceability rather than the size of the debt itself. Joseph Farhat and his team will review your position and give you an indicative range before you apply.
Can I get ATO tax debt finance with low-doc or no-doc?
Often, yes. Many lenders funding these scenarios assess recent business bank statements and turnover rather than full financials, which suits businesses that have fallen behind on lodgements. That said, most lenders will want tax returns and BAS brought up to date as a condition, because they need to know the true size of the liability. Your accountant is usually the fastest route to that. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you what each lender on the panel requires.
Do you work with borrowers with bad credit?
Yes, we do. Defaults, past arrears, or a director with a mark on their personal file do not rule you out, and it is not something we will make you feel awkward about. Owners who end up with a tax debt have very often had a rough stretch that shows up on the credit file too, and the two usually have the same cause. Several lenders on our panel weigh recent trading and account conduct more heavily than a credit score, and will price for the risk rather than decline it. What helps most is telling us early, so we approach the right lender first instead of adding enquiries to your file. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you honestly what is achievable before you apply anywhere.
Can I get finance if I already have an ATO payment arrangement?
Yes, in many cases, and an arrangement that is being met is generally viewed positively because it shows the debt is acknowledged and managed. Some lenders will fund alongside an existing arrangement, others prefer to pay the balance out entirely so there is a single commitment. If the arrangement has already fallen over, that is not the end of the conversation either, though it does narrow the lender list. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you which lenders treat each situation sensibly.
What does ATO tax debt finance cost?
Unsecured facilities generally start from around 12% per annum and run over 3 to 36 months. Property-secured funding is materially cheaper and can run much longer. Most facilities carry an establishment fee, and some carry an early repayment cost. It is worth comparing the total against the general interest charge accruing on the ATO balance, because the cheaper headline rate is not always the cheaper outcome once the term is factored in. Joseph Farhat and his team will set out the rate, fees, and total repayment for your scenario before you proceed.
Why work with Settled With Joe to finance your ATO tax debt?
Because you get one conversation instead of a round of applications, at a point where time and your credit file both matter. Most of the people we help with tax debt are self-employed business owners and company directors dealing with something specific: a notice with a deadline, a payment arrangement that has fallen over, a director penalty notice, or a settlement that cannot proceed until the debt is cleared. Those situations are not unusual to us and there is no judgement in the conversation. What matters is that the business is trading and the repayment is serviceable. Lender policy on tax debt varies more than on most products, and our panel of 90+ bank, non-bank, and specialist lenders means we already know which ones fund these files and what they need to see. We are based in Sydney and work with borrowers Australia-wide. Joseph Farhat and his team will tell you honestly and early whether we can help and what is realistically achievable in your timeframe.
Do you give financial advice?
No. We do not guide you on your finances, nor give financial advice. We focus on outcomes and solutions of presenting your unique scenario to the right lender so you can access funding in a timely and compliant manner.
Do you help with ATO tax debt finance outside Sydney?
Yes. Settled With Joe is based in Sydney and arranges ATO tax debt finance Australia-wide, covering both metro and regional areas. We work with clients in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra, as well as regional areas including Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba. Lender appetite and policy can vary by location and by industry. Joseph Farhat and his team will identify which lenders on the panel are the best fit for your business and timeframe.
