Structure Advice

The Right Structure Can Save You Tax, Time & Trouble

Whether you’re just starting out or your business has grown beyond its original setup, structure advice is one of the most important services you can invest in. At Avoda, we help business owners understand their options and choose a structure that balances tax efficiency, asset protection and long term flexibility.

We’re not here to overcomplicate things, we’re here to help you feel confident in how your business is set up, why and what it means for your financial future.

  • Tailored advice based on your current business and personal situation

  • Detailed breakdown of structure pros and cons

  • Help transitioning from sole trader to company/trust (or more advanced options)

  • Forward thinking, not just form filling

Structure Advice That Grows With You.

Business structures aren’t static and neither is your life or your business. What worked when you started out might not be serving you anymore. Maybe you’re paying too much tax, taking on more risk than you realised or limiting your ability to grow.

That’s where we come in. We take a deep dive into your current structure, your income flow, your goals and your risk profile. Then we map out your options and explain them clearly. Whether it’s setting up a new entity, restructuring what you already have or simply tweaking your setup, we’ll help you get it right.

Tim and his team are always willing to help with both advice and assistance. Couldn’t ask for a better service. Absolutely fantastic!

- Keith

Mobile Roadworthy Guys

What We Help With

Structure Reviews

We review your current setup and highlight where it might be costing you in tax, risk exposure or missed opportunities.

Entity Comparisons & Explanations

We clearly explain the difference between sole traders, companies, discretionary trusts, unit trusts and partnerships, so you can make an informed decision.

Growth Ready Planning

We help you plan a structure that supports your future, including adding new shareholders, family involvement or expansion.

Transition Planning

We guide you through moving from sole trader to company or restructuring your existing business with minimal disruption.

Tax Efficiency & Asset Protection

We help you weigh up tax advantages, risk management and legal protections under each structure.

Practical, No Nonsense Advice

We won’t flood you with legal jargon or cookie cutter charts, just honest guidance tailored to your business.

Common Structuring Mistakes We Help You Avoid

Q

Outgrowing a sole trader setup without realising the risk or tax impact

Q

Operating under the wrong entity type for your industry or income

Q

Paying unnecessary tax or exposing personal assets

Q

Getting structure advice from people who aren’t qualified

Q

Making changes without understanding the full implications

Real World Example: When the Wrong Structure Costs You

Meet Sarah – She runs a successful design business on the Sunshine Coast. When she first started, she set up as a sole trader because it was quick and cheap. Fast forward a few years, her revenue has grown to over $250,000 and she’s consistently making strong profits.

But here’s the problem:
As a sole trader, all of Sarah’s profit is taxed in her own name and at her personal marginal tax rate. No matter how much she reinvests into the business, it still counts as her income.

If Sarah had been trading through a discretionary trust, she could’ve distributed some of the profit to her husband (a lower income earner) and even set aside income for future use inside the trust. With proper planning, this could have saved her tens of thousands in tax.

And because she wasn’t using a company or trust structure, none of her personal assets were protected. If something ever went wrong in the business, her home and savings were exposed.

Now she’s looking at restructuring, which is doable, but it’s more complex (and more expensive) than starting off with the right setup in the first place.

Why This Happens

  • Sole traders can’t split income – it all flows to one tax return

  • There’s no legal separation between personal and business assets

  • Discretionary trusts can distribute profits to family members (called beneficiaries)
    – often used for tax flexibility

  • Companies can retain profits at a flat tax rate, instead of pushing it all into personal returns

  • Without proper advice, many business owners only discover the issue at tax time – when it’s too late to fix

Structure Smarter. Not Just Cheaper.

The wrong structure might seem cheaper today, but could cost you tens of thousands later in tax, legal fees or restructuring costs. At Avoda, we take the time to understand your business and where it’s heading, so your structure supports your goals, not limits them.