Quick summary:
Loan Type: Tax debt loan of $1.1 million blended 1st and 2nd mortgage
Security: Unencumbered commercial premises
Challenge: Urgent need to repay substantial ATO debt despite business growth
Solution: Fast, tailored funding in 48 hours
Outcome: Business retained working capital and stayed on growth trajectory
Despite riding a wave of post-pandemic recovery, expanding their operations, and delivering strong revenue, they were suddenly staring down a large tax liability. The ATO was calling in a $1.1 million debt, and quickly. Traditional lenders were not a timely option, and tying up capital meant slowing down momentum. It was a financial ambush. They needed a solution that was fast, flexible, and didn’t compromise the future they were building.
Why the ATO Debt Was So Urgent
The company had survived the COVID years with creativity and grit, but a backlog of obligations had quietly built up. The ATO, increasingly active in post-pandemic recovery efforts, had shifted gears. Enforcement actions were back on the table. That meant statutory demands, director penalty notices, and potential garnishee orders. The tax office doesn’t wait for convenience. It acts when it sees fit.
For this business, the $1.1 million owed was not from mismanagement but rather from deferred obligations during the pandemic. However, explaining that to the ATO does little when payment deadlines loom. There was a very real risk of frozen accounts, halted operations, and reputational damage. They needed the debt cleared immediately — without freezing their own cash flow.
Secured Lending’s Tailored $1.1M Funding Package
Within 48 hours of the initial call, Secured Lending structured a tailored loan facility totalling $1.1 million. The solution involved a blend of first and second mortgage funding, secured against the company’s unencumbered commercial premises. This kind of fast, asset-backed lending is what Secured Lending does best.
Rather than tap into their working capital or put operational cash at risk, the business leveraged a static asset. The loan was structured to provide breathing room and control. The business could pay the ATO, remove the threat, and move forward without compromising growth.
We knew that time was of the essence. Every day mattered. A quick valuation was arranged, legal documents were reviewed with urgency, and funds were released within two business days. That kind of turnaround is rare — but it’s what we specialise in.
What Happened Next?
With the ATO debt cleared in full, the business resumed trading with full confidence. Their suppliers and staff were unaffected, and their reputation remained intact. More importantly, they retained their working capital for operations, rather than using it to extinguish an overdue tax bill.
The directors could breathe again, plan ahead, and focus on scaling. They saw clearly the value of a lender that understands urgency and knows how to move decisively without endless paperwork and delays.
When the Tax Office Calls, Who Do You Call?
What do you do when the ATO demands urgent payment but your business is otherwise healthy and growing?
This is a common dilemma. Many profitable businesses find themselves under pressure from old debts or deferred obligations. Banks typically won’t act fast enough. Friends and family aren’t viable for $1.1 million. This is exactly where short-term business loans come in. When backed by real property and assessed by seasoned lenders, they provide exactly what’s needed: time, liquidity, and certainty.
At Secured Lending, we specialise in caveat loans, bridging finance, first and second mortgages — all designed for situations just like this. We move quickly. We assess clearly. And we deliver tailored funding packages that help businesses stay in control.
If you have a tax debt or an urgent cash need and traditional finance isn’t responding fast enough, call us on 1300 795 175 or email info@securedlending.com.au.
Let’s find the solution that keeps your business moving.
