Australian Business Number

The Australian Business Number (ABN) is a business identifier which can be used for the GST and various other tax-related purposes.

For the GST system, your ABN is important because:

• The ABN also acts as your GST registration number (unless you are a GST branch).
• the suppliers ABN must normally appear on a tax invoice, otherwise the recipient will not be able to claim input tax credits.

In the wider context, the ABN will be crucial for identification under the PAYG system that has applied since 1 July 2000.

Under PAYG, if you do not quote your ABN on invoices to other businesses, they may be required to withhold tax at the top marginal rate (plus Medicare levy) from their payment to you.

You must also have an ABN to apply for endorsement as a deductible gift recipient or as an income tax exempt charity.