Unfortunately, some businesses may need to close their doors – either temporarily or permanently – due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ATO has called on such businesses that are closing temporarily to “do their best to keep up with tax and superannuation obligations”.

If you are in this situation and you need additional time or support, you should contact avance for assistance.

If a business is forced to close permanently as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, or for any other reason, it must still lodge any outstanding activity statements and instalment notices, make GST adjustments on the final activity statement, and lodge final tax returns. This will enable the ATO to finalise the taxpayer’s account and issue any refunds that might be owed.

Once the entity’s tax affairs are finalised, the ABN and GST registration should also be cancelled. Business records must be kept for at least 5 years after the end of the financial year in which a business is sold or closed.