There are a number of options available if you want to cancel an entity's registration for any of the following:
- Australian business number (ABN)
- goods and services tax (GST)
- fuel tax credits
- luxury car tax (LCT)
- wine equalisation tax (WET)
- pay as you go (PAYG) withholding.
If you cease your business, you need to cancel your ABN. However, before doing this, first ensure you have met all the lodgment, reporting and payment obligations you have to the government agencies you deal with.
Your tax obligations may include lodging activity statements and PAYG withholding reports, repaying refunds of GST credits and paying outstanding tax debts.
Cancelling your ABN will also cancel:
- the registration of any representative holding an AUSkey for your business (this may prevent you from using some government online services). Once your AUSkey is cancelled, you should delete the associated software from your computer
- your registration for GST, luxury car tax, wine equalisation tax and fuel tax credits.
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To cancel one or more registrations only such as GST and WET, but keep the ABN registration, you must either:
- phone us on 13 28 66 between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday
- complete an Application to cancel registration (NAT 2955).
See 'How to cancel your registrations' below.
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When updating your details in the Australian Business Register (ABR) it is important that the information you provide is true and correct.
Making a false or misleading statement to the Australian Business Register (ABR) may result in a penalty. However, if you made a mistake and we consider that you took reasonable care, a penalty will not apply.
The penalty may also be reduced to nil if a voluntary disclosure is made about the statement before being contacted by the ABR.
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Online options
You can cancel some registrations online through:
- the Australian Business Register at abr.gov.au (you need an Administrator AUSkey)
- the Business Portal (or Tax Agent Portal).
Registrations that can be cancelled via the portals are GST, fuel tax credits and PAYG withholding. Your registered agent (tax agent or BAS agent) will need to ensure their registered agent number is recorded against your record before they can cancel your registration. An ABN cannot be cancelled via the portals.
By phone
Phone us on 13 28 66 between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday - you must be recorded with us as being authorised to update details on behalf of the entity.
By paper
Complete the paper form Application to cancel registration (NAT 2955).
You can order a paper copy of this form:
- through online ordering
- by phoning 1300 720 092 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A PDF version of the form is available as a 'sample only'. Do not print and submit this form as it can not be processed by our systems. You must order and complete the paper copy provided by us.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 19 December 2012