Is your ABN current?
Inactive Australian Business Numbers (ABNs) are being cancelled
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has started reviewing existing ABNs, to identify any potentially inactive for cancellation.
Your ABN may be selected if you haven’t reported business activity in your tax return or there are no other signs of business activity in other lodgments or third-party information.
If your ABN is identified for cancellation, the ATO write to you. If you still require your ABN you’ll be told exactly what you need to do to stop cancellation.
Inactive ABNs are cancelled to make sure information on the Australian Business Register (ABR) is correct. Emergency services and government agencies use this information during natural disasters and to identify where financial disaster relief is needed to help businesses.
If your ABN is cancelled and you need it later:
- you can reapply for the same ABN if your business structure is the same
- you’ll get a different ABN if your business structure is different, for example you were a sole trader but you’re now a company.
If the ATO cancels your ABN and you disagree with the decision, contact them and they’ll try to resolve the issue.
Remember, registered tax agents and BAS agents can help you with your tax.