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Home > Blog > Taking Money Out of Your Company – What You Need to Know About Division 7A

Taking Money Out of Your Company – What You Need to Know About Division 7A

Date: 24 November 2025

What Is Division 7A?

Division 7A is an Australian tax rule that stops company owners from taking money out of their company for personal use without paying the right tax.

If you take money, assets, or benefits from your company and it’s not wages, dividends, or a properly documented loan, the ATO can treat it as a taxable dividend – meaning you’ll pay personal tax on it.

When It Applies
Division 7A can apply if:
• You borrow money from your company;
• The company pays your personal expenses;
• You use company property (like a car or home) privately; or
• The company forgives a debt you owe.
Even if you don’t call it a loan, the ATO might still treat it like one.

What Can Happen
If Division 7A applies:
• The amount you took can be treated as an unfranked dividend;
• You’ll pay tax on it personally;
• The company can’t claim a deduction for it;
• You might face a large unexpected tax bill.

How to Avoid Problems
You can stay compliant by:
1. Setting up a proper loan agreement – with interest, repayments, and written terms that meet ATO rules;
2. Repaying the money before the company’s tax return is due; or
3. Paying yourself properly through wages or declared dividends.

Simple Tips
• Keep personal and business finances separate;
Talk to your accountant before taking money out;
• Review any loans or drawings each year;
• Don’t assume “it’s my company, so I can take what I want.”

In Summary
Taking money from your company isn’t wrong — but it must be done correctly.
If you don’t follow Division 7A rules, the ATO can treat your withdrawals as taxable income.

Always check with your accountant before drawing funds, so you avoid unnecessary tax and stay on the right side of the ATO.

By Karen Santa Cruz, Manager, Business Services, Armidale 

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