Post-Tax Time Planning: Keeping Momentum Through Q3

The end of financial year can feel like crossing a finish line. The stress of closing the books, lodging returns, and managing final obligations is real. But for business owners who want to grow, EOFY isn’t the end—it’s the reset. 

The third quarter (July to September) gives you a powerful opportunity to reflect, reframe, and re-strategise. You have the advantage of fresh financials, clearer business insights, and lenders actively assessing applications based on newly submitted data. Q3 can be where momentum builds, if you act on it. 

Here’s how to use this period to sharpen your financial position and fuel smarter growth. 

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Reassess, Don’t Just Move On 

You’ve just completed a full year of trading. That data is more than paperwork, it’s a blueprint for better decisions. Post-EOFY is the perfect time to evaluate where your business really stands. 

Now that your financials are up to date, revisit your revenue streams, margins, expense breakdowns, and debt levels. Were your cash flow forecasts accurate? Where did costs blow out? What worked well and what didn’t? 

It’s not about getting everything right. It’s about learning from the year behind you to make the next three to six months more intentional. When you work with a broker like Thrift Capital, these financials also become your ticket to faster, better-aligned funding options. 

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Fund While Financials Are Fresh 

One of the most overlooked advantages of post-tax time is timing. When you apply for finance in Q3, lenders have access to your most recent trading data, making them more confident in your eligibility. 

If you are applying for asset finance, such as a chattel mortgage for new equipment or vehicles, or even considering a working capital loan, your EOFY figures become a key part of the approval process. The more current and accurate your numbers are, the better your chances of approval—and the more competitive your interest rate is likely to be. 

Put simply, if you’ve had a strong year, now is the time to leverage that performance while it’s still fresh in the system. 

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Shift From Survival Finance to Strategic Finance 

Many businesses only consider finance when things are tight. But the most successful operators know how to use funding as a tool to accelerate growth, not just to plug gaps. 

Post-tax time is ideal for planning investments. That could mean upgrading to more efficient equipment, hiring the staff you held off on during the last quarter, or finally launching the marketing campaign you’ve been deferring. 

When you approach finance with a proactive mindset, it puts your business on the front foot. This is especially valuable in Q3, where you still have time to set up meaningful wins before the final push in Q4. 

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Set Q3 Goals With Finance in Mind 

Rather than thinking of Q3 as a quiet or recovery period, think of it as a momentum builder. Use this quarter to test, invest, and position your business to finish the calendar year strong. 

That means setting realistic but ambitious goals. It could be acquiring a new vehicle, hiring a new staff member, or boosting output by a percentage. The key is to align your financial planning to support those goals—not just to react to challenges as they arise. 

When you structure your finance around your plans instead of the other way around, your funding becomes a tool, not a burden. 

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Moving Forward With Confidence 

Post-tax time gives your business something incredibly valuable: perspective. It shows you where you’ve been, what you’ve built, and what’s possible in the months ahead.

Q3 is not the time to coast. It’s a chance to apply what you’ve learned and use finance to move intentionally toward your next chapter. Whether you’re aiming for operational improvements, stronger cash flow, or bold expansion, the clarity of this season is your edge.  

At Thrift Capital, we help businesses do exactly that—turn fresh financials into real opportunities through funding that fits. 

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Ready to put your Q3 strategy in motion? 

Speak with a Thrift Capital broker to explore what funding options suit your goals. 

Or check out our Pre-Approval Checklist to get started. 

3 Finance Hacks to Maximise Q3

Q3 isn’t the time to slow down—it’s the time to optimise. 
Whether you're recovering from EOFY or planning for a strong finish to the year, a few smart financial moves can help you boost cash flow, build momentum, and gain more control over your growth strategy. 

Here are three actionable finance hacks to help your business make the most of Q3. 

Review Payment Terms: Shorten Receivables, Extend Payables 

Cash flow isn’t just about how much you earn—it’s also about when you get paid and when you pay others. 

Shorten your receivables: 
If your customers are paying you in 30 or 60 days, you’re carrying the cost. Consider: 

• Offering a small discount for early payment (e.g. 2% for payment within 7 days) 

• Automating invoicing and reminders 

• Setting firmer terms upfront for new customers 

Extend your payables: 
Work with suppliers who offer longer terms or more flexible repayment schedules—especially for large orders or inventory. 

These shifts can unlock thousands in working capital, without any external funding required. 

Leverage a Chattel Mortgage to Free Up Cash 

Need a new vehicle, tools, or equipment? Don’t pay upfront. 

A chattel mortgage allows you to: 

• Own the asset from day one 

• Spread the cost over time with structured repayments 

• Claim the GST upfront (if you’re registered) 

• Access tax deductions for interest and depreciation 

This is especially powerful in Q3 when: 

• You’ve got fresh financials on hand 

• You need to keep cash available for marketing, hiring, or restocking 

• You want to secure the asset now but pay as you grow 

Many lenders approve chattel mortgages within 24–48 hours—especially when arranged through a broker. 

Refinance Old Debt to Reduce Repayments 

If you're still managing loans from earlier years—or holding onto high-interest equipment finance—you might be paying more than you need to. 

Refinancing can: 

• Reduce your monthly repayments 

• Consolidate multiple debts into one 

• Improve your credit score through better repayment history 

• Free up cash for new projects 

Whether it’s an old business loan, vehicle finance, or an expensive overdraft, we can help assess if there’s a better deal on the table. 

Bonus Tip: Don’t Let Q3 Drift 

It’s easy to think of Q3 as the “quiet middle” of the financial year. But smart operators know it’s the perfect time to course-correct before Q4 gets busy. 

If you want to improve your business’s financial position, boost growth, or prepare for a new opportunity—now’s the time to act. 

Let’s Make It Happen 

At Thrift Capital, we help businesses improve their financial position with smart, fast solutions: 

• Finance for assets and equipment 

• Debt refinancing 

• Guidance for new ABNs or early-stage businesses 

Check-out our Pre-Approval Checklist or 
Speak with a broker to explore your Q3 finance options.