The right ownership structure from the start, and reviewed as your business evolves.
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Establishing the right business structure is one of the most important decisions you will make when starting or growing a business. It determines how revenue is taxed, how personal assets are protected, how funding can be raised, how compliance obligations are managed, and what happens at the point of sale or succession. We work with business owners who are starting out, growing, or dealing with a structure that no longer fits, to explain the options in plain language and set up the right structure with a clear view of the tax implications.
Business structuring advice is relevant at several stages. We work with clients who are:
Starting a new business and weighing up sole trader, partnership, company, or trust options
Implementing a growth strategy with a new business line or acquiring new assets
Transitioning from a sole trader structure as income and risk exposure increase
Reviewing an existing structure that has become tax-inefficient or creates unnecessary personal liability
Planning for future ownership transition, succession, or exit
Entering a joint venture and needing clarity on how to structure shared ownership
If you're already operating and haven't reviewed your structure in several years, your circumstances may have changed enough to justify a conversation.
We provide business structuring advice and setup services to clients across Australia through a structured remote model. Whether you're in Brisbane, regional Queensland, Sydney, Melbourne, or anywhere else in Australia, we guide you through the process clearly and efficiently.
Most of this work is handled remotely through clear communication and document management. In-person meetings can be arranged when it makes sense.
Each structure has distinct implications for tax, asset protection, compliance obligations, and future flexibility. Here are the four most common business structures:
| Structure | Tax Treatment | Asset Protection | Complexity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Trader | Personal marginal rate on all profit | None. Personal assets fully exposed | Low | Early-stage, low-risk activities |
| Partnership | Flow-through to each partner at their marginal rate | Joint and several liability | Low to medium | Shared ownership, small teams |
| Trust | Distributed to beneficiaries at their marginal rates | Corporate trustee provides protection | Medium | Family businesses, wealth structuring |
| Company (Pty Ltd) | Corporate tax rate. Profits distributed as dividends | Separate legal entity limits personal liability | High | Growth businesses, asset protection priority |
The simplest way to get started, with low setup and running costs. Trade in your own name and include business income in your personal tax return. The trade-off is no separation between personal and business assets, and all profit taxed at your personal marginal rate. Worth reviewing as income grows.
Two or more individuals running a business together. Not a separate legal entity, so profits and losses flow through to each partner. Joint and several liability means a formal partnership agreement is essential. Without one, profit splits can become unclear and disputes hard to resolve.
Holds property for the benefit of its beneficiaries. A corporate trustee provides asset protection while the trust holds the assets. Profits can be distributed in a tax-effective way, but annual distribution resolutions must be documented correctly every year without exception.
An incorporated company operates as a separate legal entity, limiting personal liability. Profits taxed at the corporate tax rate and distributed as dividends. ASIC compliance and director obligations apply. Often the right fit once income reaches a level where the tax rate difference becomes significant.
When you set things up properly with professional guidance, you're giving your business a stronger foundation across the board.
You won't be scrambling to restructure when your business outgrows a setup that was never quite right.
Lenders and investors assess your structure as part of their evaluation, so having the right one in place puts you in a stronger position.
The right structure helps you maximise tax efficiencies in both the short and long term as your income grows.
You avoid unnecessary complexity and the extra admin that comes with it.
Whether bringing in partners, planning a sale, or succession, a well-chosen structure creates the right conditions from the beginning.
A proper structure minimises risk and shields your personal assets from business liability.
Your structure supports your long-term goals and helps you hold onto more of what you earn.
Getting our structure right from the start saved us a significant restructuring cost down the track. The advice was clear, practical, and tailored to where we actually wanted to take the business.Add Client Name Business Type • Location
A business running as a sole trader may pay significantly more tax as profits grow compared to a company structure. This difference compounds over time and represents real money that better structuring would have preserved.
Without a separate legal entity, your personal assets are exposed to business disputes and creditor claims. A single adverse event can reach assets you hold personally if there's no structural separation in place.
Converting between structures mid-business life often triggers tax events, stamp duty, and delays at exactly the wrong time. Your structure needs to anticipate a future sale, transition, or succession from the beginning.
If trustee decisions aren't documented properly, particularly annual distribution resolutions, the ATO can reallocate income. That means higher tax and compliance headaches that could have been avoided with proper administration.
Your business structure shouldn't be a set-and-forget decision, but it also doesn't need constant attention. For most business owners, a review makes sense every few years, or when something significant changes, like a jump in income, taking on staff, acquiring assets, or planning for a sale.
The typical pattern we see is sole traders reaching a point where a family trust makes sense for tax flexibility and asset protection. If you already have a family trust, you probably won't need to change to a company, but you might set up a new company alongside it for a specific purpose.
We build structure reviews into our client relationships through our Tax Planning meetings, where we look at your overall position and flag whether your structure still aligns with your goals. We also offer dedicated Structure Advice meetings for business owners who want a focused conversation.
We start by understanding your business goals, your current financial situation, your risk tolerance, and your plans for growth, transition, and succession. A structuring recommendation made without this context isn't worth following.
We break down your options clearly. Not just the legal definitions, but what each structure actually means for your tax obligations, compliance costs, liability exposure, and future flexibility. You'll understand exactly why we're recommending a particular structure before you commit.
Once a structure is agreed, we help with all registrations and documentation, including ABN and TFN applications, GST registration, ASIC company registration, and formal partnership agreements or trust deeds.
Structure isn't a one-time decision. We continue to review your structure as your business grows and circumstances change, through our Tax Planning meetings and dedicated Structure Advice sessions.
A few recent Google reviews from clients who use us for business tax, bookkeeping and ongoing support.
Katiija Legood
“We’ve been with Simply Tax since starting our small business and couldn’t be happier. Always friendly, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable.”
Mike
“In all avenues of service Simply Tax has been excellent. For a first time ABN holder like me, the team has really been of great help.”
Rob Lynch
“Prompt and communication is excellent. Very happy with many years of service from Simply Tax Solutions.”
Sarah Roberts
“This is the second year we’ve used Simply Tax Solutions for our partnership return. Prompt, professional and helpful when preparing details for the ATO.”
Alistair Ogden
“A great choice as our tax agent. Gideon and the team are super friendly, always available to answer questions, and make organising tax so simple.”
Review excerpts shown for readability. Full reviews available on Google.
Whether you are starting a new business, implementing a growth strategy, or reviewing a structure that no longer serves you, we will help you make a clear, informed decision and set everything up properly from the beginning.
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