Just try to get a home loan while running your own business. I've had several brokers quite literally pack up and walk out when they found out. I only got my loan when I quit and worked for someone else. And as for my second home it was a burnt out housing commission house, hardest to get financing for. It amazed us while we lived their what the neighbors did and had. My shoes $30 bucks from Kmart their shoes $200 bucks and that's not even talking the rest of their outfits.

"Just try to get a home loan while running your own business."
 
I hear what you are saying. I own over 90% of my assets.
Simply given up trying to refinance to a cheaper mortgage because of the hoops the lenders are demanding self employed people jump through. If I adhered to what lenders were demanding I would have no reason for the mortgage.
 

Is it possible your neighbors dont adhere to the "if you can't pay for it in cash, you cant afford it"? I guess some people can have debt and be happy at the same time. A car loan would be of little significance compared to living in a 3rd world country. I have met a lot of people from different cultures through my work and it's interesting to learn how they prioritize things differently. Like living beyond their means to own expensive cars and home because it portays an image by which they appear successful which in turn earns them trust and respect from their peers and potential clients

"But they have gone to one of our customers and demanded 15% of their bill be retained and sent to the ATO."
I suggest you speak with your legals about the process.
 
Firstly I would challenge the legal right of the ATO to commence, and then threaten to carry out this action.
Be specific and ask the ATO exactly under which law, which act and which section of the act is the law valid. And ask for a printed hard copy of the law to be posted to you. Ask exactly on which date was the law passed, on which date did the law receive mandate from the voting public, and exactly which day did that law receive royal assent. If the ATO is unwilling/unable to supply the documentation within 21 days refer to your legals for defence. I am learning there are a lot of "laws" that have been made up. They are unlawful, illegal, repugnant and not valid.
 
Remember always harassment and intimidation is considered unlawful and can easily be challenged.
 
Secondly I would be asking the ATO (in writing) what would be the repercussions to both yourself, your company, and your customer, should your customer be unable/unwilling to send the money to the ATO. Strongly emphasis the question is of a totally hypothetical nature only. Would the ATO then remove without notice the amount from your customer's bank account?
 
If it was me I would get nasty and provide notice to the ATO you are now withholding payment of exactly the same amount should the threat of garnishee continue and that you will continue to with hold the sum until such time the matter is dropped. (however I am not offering you advice, it is only what I would do because I am a grumpy nasty old man, for these exact reasons)
 
"Firstly how do they know my customers"
They follow the trail of money.
If you trade as a company your accountant has access to your invoices and bank account records when working on tax returns which the ATO can vet.
 
"and secondly what now do you think that customer thinks of my company"
Important point. Would be interesting to discuss privacy laws and damages to your good name and the good name of your company.
Maybe discuss with your customer if they are open to it.
 
All of this is pointing to one thing.
The country is broke and only continues to operate (for the short term) using smoke and mirrors and unlawful laws.
 

Oh and case your wondering my company has run over ten years in construction. We have to provide all details that employees entitlements are paid and up to date, we have never had a case opened in Dept of fair trading and have only had 1 workers compensation case and 1 insurance case where we flooded a shopping center (Clairemont) in WA about this time before Xmas. So I call us a long running and worthwhile legitimate business that uses recycled products and helps our economy. Keith

One way Im saving money is not buying a new car every 5 years like the majority, which means those "drunken sailors" in all 3 Gov Tiers wasting our BILLIONS on futile dead end projects arent getting their money off me from all the fees, taxes and charges that go with every new car, and the insult from Simsmetal of 50c x kilo for your car when the yard doesnt want it as a trade in, or the "pulled wool over the eyes" when the caryard fools you into believing your getting a fabulous deal when you trade up, just to see it back on the lot for DOUBLE what they reckon was its max worth 5 minutes ago.
My last Brand new car was 1988 Toyota HJ61 Turbo Diesel 5 sp manual.........the only failure in all those years was the turbocharger needed a re-build in 2008 after 20 years!  .....which cost $260 as I fitted it myself. ...... Air Con is still like Mt Hotham in winter!
The wife bought a 30k 3 month old Prado V6 Petrol on 2001, for $36k instead of $56k, and in 15 years has only done a lower Rad Tank req a whole new Rad even tho rad core was perfect, plus the elec aerial has morphed into a manual, plus Air Con Pump failed. See, 13 years newer, yet not as tough as the HJ61 TD ! 
 
Changing Mineral oil Engine oil and Filter every 5,000kms or 12 months is "money in the bank" if you want them to last, or Full Synthetic & filter every 10,000kms................
Brake Fluid flush/change MAX of 2 years regardless of distance..............
Diff/s and G/box and Transfer or Auto every 60,000k drain/refill............
 
All my 9 cars that were meant to run on "Super" have been getting 2 stroke Super Outboard Oil (SOO)  at 200:1 with none suffering engine damage. Castrol Chief Chemist reckoned if the Philip Island Superbikes and Racing Outboard Marine Engines that spin 4 or 5 times faster that car engines thrive on SOO, then all Super petrol cars on our highways will too..............he was right.............. only with highly stressed track cars did he recommend lead replacement additive as well as the SOO.
 
Hope this helps