Have you had your Australian Business Number (ABN) cancelled? No problem. This article will help you better understand how to reactivate your ABN if this occurs.
You will need to reactivate your ABN registration if:
- You want to continue conducting business in Australia.
- Your current ABN has been cancelled - (It’s important to note that ABN’s do not expire)
Check why your ABN registration was cancelled.
If your ABN registration was cancelled, it's likely that one of these things happened:
- Your business activity doesn't match what you stated when you first registered. For example, if your business has changed from manufacturing to retailing.
- Your identity doesn't match the information you provided when registering. This could be because of a change in your name or address, or because someone else is using your ABN without permission and they will have been contacted by the ATO about it already.
- The details on your tax return don't match up with the information on file for the business at the time of registration or reactivation. In other words, there are inconsistencies between what's listed on specific documents and what was originally entered when you registered for an ABN. This could be because there have been changes within a company since its original registration; for example, an accountant may now be working with someone different from who worked with them before (but whose name remains unchanged).
Reactivating or updating an ABN
If your ABN has been cancelled, you will need to reactivate it.
This can be done by completing an Application for a Business Number (ABN) and providing your details, or if you need help doing this, feel free to visit Registry Australia or call us on 1300 070 000. If the ABN is still active but needs updating, these details will need to be updated through MyGov.
Registry Australia can facilitate ABN applications as well as reactivating a cancelled ABN. To update or cancel an existing ABN you’ll need to visit MyGov.
How to Reactivate or Update an ABN
If your ABN has been cancelled, you will need to reactivate or update it. This can be done by completing an Application to restore your ABN by providing your details for which if you need help doing this, feel free to visit registry.com.au or call us on 1300 070 000.
You can visit our website registry.com.au to easily register or reactivate your ABN. You can register, reactivate, and manage your ASIC registered business names and ABN quickly and easily through our hassle-free business portal. We also include email and SMS service notifications.
If there are any errors with your documentation, then this could cause issues when it comes time for reactivation so make sure everything is up to date with no mistakes around spelling or grammar before submitting anything off into the system.
Is it Easier to Apply for a New ABN?
- If your ABN was cancelled for a valid reason, then it's easier to apply for a new one.
- If your ABN was cancelled for an invalid reason, then it's harder to apply for a new one.
- If your ABN was cancelled because you moved, it's easier to apply for a new one.
- If your ABN was cancelled because you didn't file your taxes, then it's harder to apply for a new one.
Call us on 1300 070 000 to find out what may work best for you and your business.
How to keep your ABN active so that you can keep doing business in Australia
Keeping your ABN active is a simple process that can be completed by visiting registry.com.au or calling us on 1300 070 000 and we will help you through the process.
If you have been doing business in Australia for a long time, it may be worth reactivating your ABN so that you can continue to do business here without interruption. If you need help with this process or other questions about Australian Taxation Office (ATO) matters, our friendly team is happy to assist; call 1300 070 000 today or visit our website.
The ABN is a process that all businesses should be familiar with. It's important to keep your details current for tax reasons and other legal obligations. When using Registry Australia, applying for an ABN has never been easier. We make the process very simple and we're always here to help.
We hope this article has given you more information about how to reactivate your ABN if needed. Feel free to call us on 1300 070 000 with any questions.
