Course overview

Develop a structured approach to selecting and administering Australian business structures for the 2026-27 income year. Apply the tax and governance distinctions between sole traders, partnerships, companies and trusts, then evaluate private company benefits, profit distributions, restructures, personal services income and professional compliance obligations.

Course objectives

Compare the ownership, liability, taxation, administration and succession characteristics of the principal business structures.
Apply company classification, director duties, annual reporting, loss continuity and private company funding controls.
Analyse Division 7A loans, franking credits, trust entitlements and distribution integrity using supporting records.
Evaluate restructure pathways and personal services income without confusing concessions with unconditional exemptions.
Integrate designated-service assessment, annual review and documented implementation into professional practice.

Learning Outcomes

You should be able to prepare a reasoned structure comparison that separates legal identity, cash access and tax liability.
You should be able to test company thresholds and identify the records, decisions and deadlines required for governance.
You should be able to distinguish loan documentation deadlines, annual repayment obligations and franking calculations.
You should be able to assess trust distribution decisions, personal services business tests and restructure conditions.
You should be able to assemble an evidence-based annual structure review and identify matters requiring specialist referral.

The practical scenarios are illustrative applications of the stated rules. Work within the services you are authorised and competent to provide, and refer matters requiring specialist tax, legal or other advice.

CPD/CPE compliance mapping

Continuing professional development (CPD) and continuing professional education (CPE) relevance depends on your role, services and individual requirements. The mapping below indicates potential alignment, not accreditation, approval or an automatic allocation of compulsory ethics hours. Record the learning actually completed, its relevance and supporting evidence. CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) and the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) each require attention to relevant professional learning and evidence. The mapping is an administrative alignment aid informed by their published frameworks; it does not add to or amend the technical tax content. Professional development alignment

Lesson outcome	CPA Australia	CA ANZ	IPA	TPB relevance
1. Compare structures and registrations	Role-relevant technical knowledge and commercial judgement.	Professional competence in structure analysis and client work.	Technical knowledge and professional skills.	Relevant entity and registration controls; assess the connection to services provided.
2. Apply company tax and governance controls	Tax knowledge, reporting and responsible decision-making.	Technical competence and governance-related learning.	Technical knowledge; management and professional standards.	Company tax relevance for tax agents; governance and record controls where relevant to BAS services.
3. Analyse private benefits and franking	Technical tax analysis and evidence-based judgement.	Tax competence supported by calculations and assessment evidence.	Technical and product knowledge; professional judgement.	Income tax relevance for tax agents. BAS agents should assess role relevance rather than assume authority to advise.
4. Evaluate trust entitlement and integrity	Trust taxation, documentation and professional judgement.	Technical development and awareness of integrity risks.	Technical knowledge and professional and ethical standards.	Trust tax relevance for tax agents; relevant records and referral boundaries for BAS agents.
5. Integrate restructures, PSI and compliance	Applied tax, practice governance and risk management.	Role-relevant technical and professional development.	Technical, management and professional standards alignment.	Relevant tax or BAS practice skills and compliance controls; credit depends on the service nexus.