November 2016

What is a Power of Attorney?

GRANTING A POWER OF ATTORNEY

The Powers of Attorney Act 2003 (NSW) provides for a person to appoint another person as their attorney to make financial and contractual decisions on their behalf. The document granting a power of attorney is a prescribed form under the Act.

A general power of attorney does not require a solicitor’s certificate however, it ceases to be of effect if you lose mental capacity (like where you are in a coma or suffer from dementia).

An enduring power of attorney on the other hand continues to be effective if you were to suffer such an incapacity. For this reason, an enduring power of attorney must be explained to you and witnessed by a lawyer who will provide a certificate in the prescribed form. We usually recommend an enduring power of attorney so that if some event happened to you that affected your capacity, your attorney would still be able to assist you.

If you are suffering from any illness, have deteriorating health, are going overseas or interstate or just want peace of mind, appointing an attorney to assist you to manage your affairs is generally a good idea.

HOW DOES IT OPERATE?

The nominated attorney has the ability to decide whether or not to accept that role by signing it.

You can choose when your power of attorney is to take effect. It can be restricted to only take effect if a registered medical practitioner certifies that you are of unsound mind, upon some other event (such as whilst you are overseas), from a date you choose or, it can operate immediately (for convenience).

You can give the power of attorney for specific purpose (for example to assist with the sale or purchase of a specific property or to attend an auction and bid on your behalf), for a specified time (for example, between 2 dates) and you can give directions on how powers are to be exercised (such as not to bid above a certain level or to only sell for a certain reserve price).

You can have a power of attorney for situations of necessity, like where you are ill or absent, or simply for convenience, but you have to appoint someone you trust without reservation.

An attorney may not use the principal’s monies or assets for gifts or benefits to the attorney or third parties unless this is specifically authorised in the document granting the power of attorney

ENDING AN APPOINTMENT

Provided you remain of sound mind, you can revoke a power of attorney at any time by signing a form of revocation and providing the attorney with that revocation.

The New South Wales Civil & Administrative Tribunal can review or revoke a person’s appointment as a power of attorney and can make a financial management order appointing a new attorney (or attorneys) or by appoint a representative of the NSW Trustee & Guardian if it is considered that your attorney not making appropriate decisions on your behalf.

DO I HAVE TO REGISTER THE POWER OF ATTORNEY?

A power of attorney must be registered at the Land & Property Information Division of the New South Wales Department of Lands if it is being used for dealing with land in NSW, such as selling, transferring, mortgaging property and the like.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Craig Pryor is principal solicitor at McKillop Legal. For further information in relation to estate planning, business succession or any other commercial law matter, contact Craig Pryor on (02) 9521 2455 or email craig@mckilloplegal.com.au.

in Dispute Resolution / Estate Planning / General  by 22 Nov 2016 0 comments

What is a director penalty notice? (and what to do if you receive one)

WHAT IS A DIRECTOR PENALTY NOTICE?

In addition to potential liability for insolvent trading, company directors need to be aware of their potential personal liability if their company fails to remit certain amounts as and when due.

Directors will become personally liable when a company fails to remit amounts withheld under the PAYG withholding system or fails to meet its superannuation guarantee obligations.

This personal liability arises through the issue by the ATO of a Director Penalty Notice (DPN) under s. 222AOE of the Income Tax Assessment Act. If not complied with, a DPN makes the director it was issued to personally liable for the amount that the company should have paid, through imposition of a penalty.

The director’s PAYG withholding credits can also be reduced/taxed as part of the process.

The Commissioner is using the Director Penalty Notice provisions to pursue directors more and more.

The Commissioner of Taxation will usually first make a formal demand on the company seeking payment. If the company fails to comply with the notice, at the Commissioner’s discretion, a DPN may be served.

2 TYPES OF DPN

There are 2 types of DPN:

  1. non-lockdown DPN – issued when statements have been lodged (within 3 months of the due date) but debts are unpaid; and
  2. lockdown DPN – issued where statements have not been lodged (within 3 months of the due date) and debts are unpaid

HOW TO AVOID LIABILITY

A director’s liability under the DPN is remitted if, within the 21 days stated in the DPN, the company either:

  • pays the amounts due to the ATO in full*,
  • is placed into Administration,
  • appoint a small business restructuring practitioner and commence the small business restructuring processor
  • has a Liquidator appointed.

These 4 options are available for non-lockdown DPNs only.

The liability will not be remitted if the company has failed to report its PAYG withholding liability, GST or superannuation guarantee shortfall etc within 3 months of the lodgement day (and the DPN is thus a lockdown DPN). This encourages timely reporting.

Payment in full is therefore the only solution for a lockdown DPN.

Importantly:

  •  The 21 days cannot be extended.
  • Notice is given on the day the DPN is issued, not when it is or is likely to have been received.
  • A DPN is sent via ordinary mail to the last recorded residential address on the ASIC database – so these details need to be kept up to date as actual non-receipt of a DPN is not a defence.
  • The DPN provisions can also apply to new directors where, if after 30 days of their appointment, the company has not discharged its relevant liabilities.
  • A DPN can be served on a director’s registered tax agent.
  • Resigning as a director at or before the due date is no escape from the DPN regime.

* note that entering into a payment arrangement in relation to a debt does not make the debt cease to be due and payable

Defences may be available where recovery proceedings are subsequently instituted against a director following non-compliance with a DPN.

All directors must ensure they stay completely abreast of their company’s affairs and must ensure the company meets all relevant obligations at all times.

This is why having good procedures and good advisors – whether legal, accounting, financial or otherwise – can prove invaluable.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Craig Pryor is principal solicitor at McKillop Legal. For further information in relation to bankruptcy/insolvency, litigation and dispute resolution or any commercial law matter, contact Craig Pryor on (02) 9521 2455 or email craig@mckilloplegal.com.au.

in Business / Commercial Law / Dispute Resolution / General / Insolvency & Bankruptcy  by 09 Nov 2016 0 comments

Legal considerations for starting your online business

Online business is booming. Most consumers now favour online shopping given that it is quick, convenient and usually cheaper than in a retail shop.

Consider the legal considerations and responsibilities of running business online, preferably before you start trading.

THE FORMALITIES & NECESSARY REGISTRATIONS

The first thing that needs to be remembered is that even though you do not have a shopfront, you are still operating a business. As such, there are certain legal requirements that you will need to abide by. In particular, you need to think about:

  • The structure of your business – consider asset protection, risk management, taxation issues, income splitting;
  • Registration of your business name and (the all too often overlooked trademarks, social media and URL registration);
  • Obtaining a tax file number, ABN and, if required, registering for GST;
  • Putting in place Terms of Trade, Privacy Policies and the like.
  • Government regulations and any advertising restrictions regarding the products or services that you wish to sell.

Although these considerations may seem daunting at first, it is important that they are given due consideration. Take for instance the choice of business name. Many would consider this the most important decision in the establishment of an online business. When choosing a name, you need to make sure that it does not infringe upon or not too similar to an existing business name or another person’s trademark. Preferably you would do this before spending money on websites, logos and the like!

CONSUMER LAWS

Before embarking into the world of e-commerce, it is important to remember that there have been major legislative changes to the laws regulating business transactions. In particular, you should take note of the Australian Consumer Law which regulates consumer affairs and transactions. Provisions which may be relevant to an online business usually concern the issue of misleading and deceptive conduct, misrepresentation and misdescription of products.

Consider the descriptions that you will be putting up about the products you will be selling and the impact that these may have in the mind of the consumer. If you think that they may create a false assumption, then it is best to re-word them and make it clear exactly what the product or service does.

If you are planning on selling products internationally, then you may also need to take regard of legal requirements of the countries that you are proposing to deliver to.

TERMS OF TRADE

Most online businesses do not sufficiently state the terms of their proposed sale to consumers. The description of the goods is usually there, as is the price and a method of delivery… but that’s about it! What if something goes wrong – what other terms would be useful?

Consider these:

  • Where is the law of the contract?
  • At whose risk are the goods while in transit? Are they insured?
  • What warranties or indemnities (if any) are required?
  • Can the performance of the contract be delegated to a third party?
  • Have you secured supply of key components of your product?
  • Can liability be limited in the contract?
  • What happens if circumstances beyond my control prevent you from fulfilling my contractual obligations?
  • Do you need to protect the intellectual property in any goods sold?
  • How will any disputes be resolved?

Many, if not all, of these matters can be addressed by having appropriately drafted terms of trade. If you haven’t brought all of your terms to the customer’s attention before the contract is entered into, they do not form part of the contract at all.

SECURITY & PRIVACY CONCERNS

On-line systems are at risk of fraud 24/7 and from anywhere in the world. When dealing with sensitive information such as personal contact details and credit card information, it is important that you have appropriate security measures in place. You should aim to:

  • Ensure that all personal details and credit card information is securely stored (and encrypted or not stored at all);
  • Take steps to seek to prevent fraud by using appropriate firewalls and software (as well as third party payment systems);
  • Provide a safe and secure online space.

Remember that by doing these actions, you are not only protecting consumers, but also protecting your and your business.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Craig Pryor is principal solicitor at McKillop Legal. For further information in relation to estate planning, business succession or any other commercial law matter, contact Craig Pryor on (02) 9521 2455 or email craig@mckilloplegal.com.au.

in Business / Commercial Law / Dispute Resolution / General  by 01 Nov 2016 0 comments