The Australian Tax Office has moved to wind up the Newcastle Knights and the Newcastle Jets, along with their parent company the Hunter Sports Group, over unpaid debts of some $2.7 million, as owner Nathan Tinkler's debt problems continue to mount.

Documents filed on Wednesday in the Federal Court in Sydney show the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation is applying for the wind-up of Hunter Sports Group (owing $184,258), Newcastle Jets Football Operations Pty Ltd (owing $1.063 million) and Newcastle Knights Pty Ltd (owing $1.424 million).

Financial strife ... Nathan Tinkler. Credit:Darren Pateman

"We are surprised by the move by the ATO, as we have not received notification of this move,” a spokesperson for the Hunter Sports Group said.