24/08/2026
If you’ve withdrawn money from your company for personal use and it wasn’t paid as a wage or dividend, it may be treated as a Division 7A loan.
From 1 July 2026, the ATO’s benchmark interest rate is set to increase from 8.37% to 8.77%. While the change may appear small, it can increase the minimum repayments required on larger shareholder loans.
To remain compliant, you generally need:
A complying loan agreement
Minimum yearly repayments
Interest charged at the applicable ATO benchmark rate
If the paperwork isn’t correct or the required repayment is missed, the outstanding amount could be treated as an unfranked dividend and taxed at your marginal rate.
A quick review now could help you avoid a much larger tax bill later. Speak with the CVG team to check that your shareholder loan is properly documented and up to date.