Can I refinance while on an ATO payment plan?
Yes, being on an ATO payment plan does not automatically stop you refinancing, though it does become part of what the lender assesses. Some lenders will look past a well managed payment plan, especially where repayments are current and the underlying business is trading soundly, while others are more cautious. It often comes down to how long the plan has been running and whether it is being met without fail. Speak with your accountant about the ATO side before you apply.
How lenders tend to view it
A lender will usually ask about your ATO position directly. A tax debt can sometimes appear on a credit file, but a payment plan you are actively maintaining generally keeps it from being reported. What tends to matter most is the pattern behind it, a plan that has been paid on time for a year reads very differently to one that was set up last month after a missed deadline. Lenders will also look at why the debt arose in the first place, a one off cash flow gap reads better than a repeated pattern of falling behind on tax.
How to present the file well
- A letter or statement from the ATO confirming the plan and its current status
- Recent BAS lodgements showing the business is keeping up with new obligations
- An explanation of what caused the debt and what has changed since
- Financials that show the business can carry both the plan and any new repayment
A broker can present this properly to a lender likely to take a balanced view, rather than one that declines on sight the moment ATO debt appears on a credit file. Presentation genuinely matters here.
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Last updated 15th July 2026. Reviewed by Authorised Credit Representative 554584 of Australian Credit Licence 414426.