You cancel your ABN once your business has closed, been sold or stopped operating in Australia, after you've lodged and paid everything you owe. The quickest way is online through the Australian Business Register with your myID, or you can call the ABR on 13 92 26; but if you're only pausing and plan to restart, the ATO says don't cancel.
Closing a side business is easy to forget about once the work dries up. But an ABN left open can keep obligations ticking over, like activity statements, even when nothing's happening. Equally, cancelling too early can cause problems if you're coming back. Here's how the ABR and ATO say to handle it.
Should you cancel your ABN?
| Your situation | Cancel? |
|---|---|
| Business closed for good | Yes, once obligations are met |
| Business sold | Yes |
| No longer operating in Australia or making supplies connected with Australia | Yes |
| Pausing, plan to restart | No, keep it |
| Still use the ABN for another business | No |
| Business structure changed (for example sole trader to company) | Possibly; check with the ABR |
Do these first
- Lodge all activity statements and tax returns you need to.
- Pay any outstanding tax.
- Finish employee obligations, including super and Single Touch Payroll if you had staff.
- Cancel PAYG withholding before you cancel the ABN, if you have it.
- Check your postal address on the ABR, because that's where the cancellation notice goes.
business.gov.au recommends waiting to cancel your ABN until all these processes are complete.
How to cancel your ABN online
- Make sure you have a Digital ID (myID) and the Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) set up.
- Go to the ABR's cancel your ABN page.
- Select Continue with Digital ID and log in with your myID.
- Answer the prompts to confirm your business has ceased trading or been sold.
- Submit. The ABR says online changes take effect immediately.
Other ways to cancel
- Call the Australian Business Register on 13 92 26, 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. You must be authorised for the ABN and prove your identity, so have your TFN handy.
- Lodge the Application to Cancel Registration form, NAT 2955.
- Ask your registered tax agent or BAS agent to do it.
Cancelling GST but keeping the ABN
Sometimes you don't need to cancel the whole ABN. If your business is still running but no longer needs to be registered for GST, for example because turnover has dropped below the threshold and you're not a ride-sourcing driver, the ATO lets you cancel individual registrations while the ABN stays active. It says you should only keep the registrations your business activities still need. That's tidier than cancelling everything and reapplying later.
Common mistakes when closing an ABN
- Cancelling before the final activity statement or tax return has been lodged.
- Forgetting to cancel PAYG withholding first, if you had employees.
- Leaving an old postal address on the ABR, so the cancellation notice goes astray.
- Cancelling while a client still owes you money and needs your ABN on an invoice.
- Keeping an unused ABN open for years and missing the nil lodgments it still requires.
Most of these come from closing in a rush. Give yourself a short checklist, finish the paperwork, then cancel in one sitting.
What else gets cancelled
This is the catch. Cancelling your ABN isn't one switch, it pulls others with it. Your GST registration goes, along with luxury car tax, wine equalisation tax and fuel tax credits if you had them. Authorised links between the ABN and your myID end, and anyone holding a login credential for your business may lose access to some government online services. If an accountant or bookkeeper needs to finish something for you, let them do it first.
The 'pausing' trap
If you think you might start again in a few months, the ATO's advice is not to cancel. But don't forget the ABN is live: you must keep lodging activity statements when required, even nil ones, and update your details within 28 days of any change. If you've stopped for good, cancel, or those lodgment obligations carry on.
Coming back later
Good news if you change your mind: if you start another business you reapply through the ABR, and if you use the same business structure, the ATO says you'll be issued the same ABN you had before.
My verdict
Close the books first, then cancel. If there's any real chance you'll restart soon, keep the ABN and keep lodging. For more on running a small Australian side business online, see AdSense payments in Australia, Substack in Australia and TikTok Shop in Australia.
Frequently asked questions
How do I cancel my ABN?
Online through the ABR using your myID and RAM, by calling the ABR on 13 92 26, by lodging form NAT 2955, or through your registered tax or BAS agent.
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When should I cancel my ABN?
When your business has closed, been sold or is no longer operating in Australia, after you've met your lodgment, reporting and payment obligations.
Does cancelling my ABN cancel GST?
Yes. Cancelling your ABN also cancels GST and other linked registrations like fuel tax credits.
Should I cancel my ABN if I'm taking a break?
The ATO says don't cancel if you're pausing and plan to restart. Keep lodging activity statements as required, even nil ones.
How long does cancelling an ABN take?
The ABR says changes you make online take effect immediately. Phone and form requests take longer, and the cancellation notice goes to the postal address on the ABR.
Do I need to cancel PAYG withholding separately?
Yes. The ABR says if you want to cancel PAYG withholding, you must cancel it before you cancel your ABN.
What number do I call to cancel an ABN?
The Australian Business Register on 13 92 26, between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. You must be authorised for the ABN and prove your identity.
Can I get the same ABN back?
Yes, if you reapply with the same business structure, the ATO says you'll be issued the same ABN.
