ATO: ABN Cancellation Program

The ATO is in the process of reviewing ABNs and agents’ clients who have not reported business activity in their tax returns. Where there are no signs of business activity in other lodgments or third-party information, the ATO may cancel their ABN.

The ATO will advise agents or their clients if their ABN has been identified for cancellation and what actions are needed to keep their ABN active if they are still entitled. 

Regularly reviewing potentially inactive ABNs by agents helps the ATO maintain the data integrity of the Australian Business Register.