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Small Business Bankruptcy

At Smythe Insolvency, we have years of experience helping individuals, families and small business owners become debt free. Our small business solutions make achieving your financial goals a reality.

Get a Fresh Financial Start.

Book your free consultation with a Licensed Insolvency Trustee now. Our team is conducting consultations by phone & video, so you can become debt-free from the comfort of your own home.

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Self-Employed & Sole Proprietors

If you are self-employed as a sole proprietor, you need to keep in mind your business assets and debts are not separate from your personal finances.

A Licensed Insolvency Trustee will be able to review the options available to you, including a consumer proposal or bankruptcy.

A consumer proposal allows you to negotiate with your creditors to settle past debts, helping you to improve ongoing business cash flow. Debts to Canada Revenue Agency can be included in a consumer proposal and, in many cases, are substantially reduced.

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Corporation/Limited Company

If your small business is incorporated, we will work to determine the viability of operations. 

If viable, further discussion with your Licensed Insolvency Trustee will determine whether you will continue operations while restructuring your debts,  or file for bankruptcy and wind down the business. .

If operations are deemed viable and you choose to continue running your incorporated business, filing a business proposal (referred to as a Division I Proposal) to restructure corporate debt may be your best option.

A limited company can obtain protection (stay of proceedings) from its creditors, while at the same time continuing business operations. 

A proposal allows you to negotiate with your creditors to settle the company’s past debts, helping to improve ongoing cash flow. Some debts to Canada Revenue Agency can be included in a Division I Proposal and, in many cases, are substantially reduced.

Business Bankruptcy

If winding down your business is the best option for you financially, bankruptcy provides an orderly liquidation of all assets belonging to the company, as well as a fair and equitable distribution of proceeds to creditors.

Impact on Directors

The Director(s) of the limited company are responsible for any guarantees they have provided to banks or other institutions on behalf of the limited company.

In addition, Director(s) may have further personal responsibility for debts such as outstanding payroll, or Goods and Services Tax.