Superannuation guarantee (SG) is one of the few obligations that follows directors personally even after a company closes — it deserves its own checklist item, not a footnote.
Pay out final SG before you close
Every employee is entitled to SG contributions on their wages up to their last day of employment. This needs to be calculated and paid — not just accrued — before you consider the business properly closed. If the SG quarter hasn't been finalised yet, work out the pro-rata amount owing to the closure date.
Unpaid SG doesn't disappear with the company
If SG has gone unpaid, lodging an SG charge statement with the ATO and paying the shortfall (plus the associated nominal interest and administration component) is required regardless of whether the business is winding down. Unlike most trade debts, unpaid SG is specifically the kind of liability that can result in a director penalty notice (DPN) — meaning the ATO can pursue directors personally, not just the company, for the unpaid amount.
Why voluntary deregistration and unpaid SG don't mix
A company with outstanding SG liabilities isn't eligible for voluntary ASIC deregistration — it counts as an outstanding liability under the eligibility rules, the same as unpaid trade debt or tax. If your SG position isn't settled, that needs to be resolved (or you need a different pathway entirely) before Form 6010 goes anywhere near ASIC.
What to check before you close
- All employees' SG is calculated and paid up to their last day
- Any historical SG shortfalls are identified and disclosed via an SG charge statement if needed
- Super clearing house or payroll software payments have actually cleared, not just been submitted
This is general information, not tax or legal advice — if there's any doubt about the company's SG position, get a registered tax agent to check before you lodge anything with ASIC.