Are you still using your ABN?

Your ABN may be flagged for cancellation if you haven’t reported business activity in your tax return, or there are no signs of business activity in other lodgments or third-party information.

If we identify your ABN as inactive, we’ll contact you by email, letter or SMS.

If you:

• still require your ABN, we’ll explain what you need to do to keep it
• are no longer in business, no action is required, we will cancel your ABN.

If your ABN has been cancelled and you are still entitledExternal Link to it, you’ll need to reapplyExternal Link.

You can reapply for the same ABN unless your business structure has changed. For example if you were a sole trader and you’re now a company.

If you’re unsure if a communication from us is genuine, check our current communication to ABN holders External Linkfor more information.

All ABN holders have a responsibility to keep their business details up to date. This includes cancelling your ABNExternal Link if your business is no longer operating. You must tell us of any changes to your business details within 28 days of the change.

Maintaining the integrityExternal Link of Australian Business Register (ABR) data is important, as emergency services and government agencies use this information to identify where financial disaster relief is needed during natural disasters.

Your tax professional or BAS agent can give you further advice.

23 January 2023

Article shared from: https://www.ato.gov.au/Newsroom/smallbusiness/General/Are-you-still-using-your-ABN-/