Urgent advice for directors facing personal tax liability
Time-sensitive legal advice for directors who need to understand their personal exposure and options quickly.
A Director Penalty Notice can expose a director personally for certain company tax debts. These matters are time-sensitive, high-risk and often arrive when the business is already under pressure.
There are different types of Director Penalty Notices, including lockdown and non-lockdown notices. They have different consequences and there are different strategies to deal with each.
Vale Legal advises directors and their advisers on what a Director Penalty Notice means, what options may still be available and how the position should be managed urgently and strategically. We work quickly to assess the notice, understand the underlying liabilities and help directors take informed action.
Speak with Vale Legal
Call (02) 9993 3833
Urgent triage available
DPN matters are time-sensitive. We can help directors quickly understand the notice, liabilities, dates and available options.
Reviewed by Greg Vale
NSW Law Society Accredited Specialist in Business & Personal Taxation Law.
Coordinated response support
We can work with accountants, insolvency advisers and restructuring advisers where the company is already under pressure.
Who We Help
This page is for directors, former directors and advisers dealing with personal exposure arising from company tax debts.
Directors who have received a DPN
Directors who need urgent advice on what the notice means and what to do next.
Former or newly appointed directors
People assessing personal exposure connected with a current or previous directorship.
Businesses and advisers
Those dealing with GST, PAYG withholding or super guarantee debt pressure.
Clients needing urgent legal advice
Directors who need practical direction rather than general commentary.
How We Help
Vale Legal helps directors assess the notice, understand the exposure and take informed action within a compressed timeframe.
Reviewing the DPN
Reviewing the notice, relevant liabilities and key dates.
Advising on exposure
Advising on personal exposure and available response options.
Coordinating with advisers
Structuring responses and supporting material in a credible, organised way.
Engaging with the ATO
Managing ATO engagement, payment arrangements and related review or dispute issues.
Avoiding missteps
Helping directors avoid avoidable mistakes when the timeframes are tight.
Key Issues We Check Early
When a DPN arrives, directors should avoid delay and focus on the essentials first:
- Get legal advice immediately and confirm the type of notice and the relevant dates
- Identify the underlying liabilities and whether the records are complete and current
- Avoid assuming an informal delay or partial response will protect your position
- Coordinate quickly with accountants, insolvency or restructuring advisers where appropriate
- Keep clear records of advice, ATO contact and steps taken
Why Vale Legal
Vale Legal combines tax controversy experience with commercial judgment in urgent director liability matters.
Tax controversy capability
Strong tax controversy capability and commercial judgment in urgent matters.
ATO payment experience
Depth of experience in understanding acceptable ATO payment arrangements and needed supporting evidence.
Senior involvement
Direct senior involvement where timing and exposure are critical.
Connected private group insight
Useful where DPN issues intersect with private group, trust or business sale questions.
Practical next-step advice
Focused on what directors need to do first, not just what the rules say in general.
Related Insights
FAQS
Yes. DPN matters involve strict timeframes and potentially serious personal consequences, so prompt legal advice is essential.
No. The regime applies to specific categories of liabilities, but those liabilities can still be significant and require urgent attention.
Do not ignore the notice. Get immediate advice, confirm the liabilities and dates, and avoid assuming that informal delay will protect your position.
Yes. DPN matters often require coordinated legal, accounting and insolvency input, particularly where the company is already under pressure.
Get in touch
Get urgent advice on a
Director Penalty Notice
If you have received a Director Penalty Notice, prompt legal advice can help you understand the notice, your exposure and the steps that may still be available. Sydney based, advising clients across Australia. Where relevant, Vale Legal can work alongside the client’s accountant, adviser or broader professional team.