abn

ABN stands for Australian Business Number. It is a unique 11-digit identifier issued to entities carrying on an enterprise in Australia by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) through the Australian Business Register (ABR). The ABN is used to identify businesses in dealings with government and other organizations, and it is distinct from the Australian Company Number (ACN), which applies to companies registered under the Corporations Act.

The ABN is primarily used for tax and business purposes. It is required or highly useful for GST registration, invoicing, and other tax obligations. When issuing invoices, many business customers expect a valid ABN to be quoted, and failing to provide one can trigger tax withholding rules in certain circumstances. In general, individuals or entities must have an ABN if they are carrying on an enterprise in Australia and are registered or required to be registered for GST.

Who can have an ABN and how to obtain one: Sole traders, companies, partnerships, trusts, registered charities, and other entities that carry on an enterprise may apply for an ABN. Applications are made online through the Australian Business Registration service, with information about the applicant and the nature of the business. Once issued, the ABN remains with the entity as long as it continues to carry on the enterprise, subject to eligibility and compliance requirements. The ABN is publicly verifiable via the ABN Lookup service.

See also: Australian Taxation Office, Australian Business Register, GST, tax invoices, ABR verification.