Do I need to cancel my ABN?

Do you have an ABN that you no longer use? Should you cancel it?

If you are selling, closing or restructuring your business, you need to start thinking about cancelling your Australian business number (ABN) or updating your details. Regardless of the size of business or the amount of turnover the business has reported in the past, any non active ABN's will require cancelling.

If your business structure has changed, you may also need to cancel your ABN. For example if your business is moving from a sole trader to a partnership or company, you will need to cancel your ABN and apply for a new one for the new entity.

Cancelling your ABN will:

1. Cancel any registrations that you may have - Goods and Services Tax (GST), luxury car tax, wine equalisation tax and fuel tax credits

2. Cancel any AUSkeys that are linked to your ABN

There are important steps to take before you cancel your ABN

You must ensure that you have met all your lodgement, reporting and payment obligations.This includes deleting your pay as you go withholding registration and may involve lodging outstanding tax returns, paying outstanding tax debts or finalising your business activity statements.

If you don't cancel your ABN, you may continue to be contacted by the ATO or other government bodies about your business.

How to Cancel your ABN?