FAQs for ABN
Am I eligible for an ABN?
Not everyone is entitled to an Australian Business Number (ABN). In order to receive an ABN, you must be carrying on an enterprise in Australia for example, an activity or series of activities done in the form of a business. You must have commenced trading or have undertaken sufficient activities to show you intend to start a business.
Employees and hobbyists are not entitled to an ABN as they are not carrying on an enterprise.
For more information, go to Who is entitled to an ABN?
How do I apply for an ABN?
You can apply:
- online at www.abr.gov.au, this the quickest way to get an ABN. As long as we can validate your details against data in our systems, the ABN will be issued in real time
- through a tax agent, who will lodge your application electronically via www.abr.gov.au
- on a paper application
- from online ordering
- by phoning our automated publications service on 1300 720 092 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What are my obligations after I get my ABN and how do I meet these obligations?
Keep your details up-to-date
By law, you must notify the ABR within 28 days of any change to your ABN details.
For more information, go to How do I change my ABN details?
Cancel your ABN
You should cancel your ABN when you cease operating a business. However, before cancelling your ABN, you must ensure you have met all the lodgment, reporting and payment obligations you have with other government agencies you deal with.
Your tax obligations may include lodging activity statements and pay as you go withholding (PAYGW) reports, repaying refunds of goods and services tax (GST) credits and paying outstanding tax debts.
For more information, go to How do I cancel my ABN?
Who can access my information?
The Registrar can disclose both your public and non-public ABN details to eligible federal, state, territory and local government agencies that have a legal right to the information as specified by the A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999.
Anyone can access your publicly available ABN details from ABN Lookup.
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