Late last year, the ATO started to review existing Australian Business Numbers ( ABN’s) to potentially identify ABN’s that are inactive for cancellation.

The ATO have advised that if you have not been actively using your ABN and reported business activity in your tax return, you may find it cancelled.

If the ATO identify your ABN for cancellation, they will write to you and let you know.
If we identify your ABN for cancellation, we’ll write to you. If you still require your ABN, the ATO will advise you on what you need to do to stop the cancelation.

You can check your ABN’s status at any time by visiting the Australian Business Register (ABR).

If your ABN is cancelled, you can
• 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 your ABN is cancelled and you do not agree, contact the ATO ASAP .