Jan 18, 2023
How to Update Your ABN Details
If you have an ABN you’re also responsible for keeping the ABN Business Register up to date. Here’s how to update your ABN details.
When you receive an Australian Business Number (ABN), it then becomes your obligation to keep those details up to date on the Australian Business Register. It might be fairly straightforward to remember to update a change of address when you move company offices. But it’s not always as easy to remember that directors, shareholders and partner information must all be kept up to date as well.
How to Check Your ABN
As a first step, you’ll want to check your ABN to see what information is currently registered (and what you might need to change). You can check this information via the Australian Business Register’s ABN Lookup.
What information needs to be updated on the ABN register?
Once you know what information is currently in place, you’ll be able to confirm what (if anything) needs to be updated.
If the ABN is no longer in use
If your situation has changed – for example, you have sold the business or closed it down, it’s no longer operating in Australia, or your company structure has changed (in some situations) – then you’ll need to update your ABN by cancelling it. If you’ve transitioned to a new structure, then you will be required to obtain a new ABN for that new entity.
Read more: When Should You Cancel Your ABN
Your main business location
If your business place of operation changes, or you move from your home to an office, you’ll need to update that information. Again, this must be the physical address (not a postal box or your agent’s address).
Your postal address
Perhaps you’ve engaged a BAS agent to manage your business correspondence. If this is a new postal address, you’ll need to provide the new information as well.
Shareholder, director or partner information
If you have a change in a shareholder, director or partner associated with your business, this information will need to be updated as well. This includes their name and address. And if the individual is a non-Australian resident, you will also need to provide proof of identity documents to the ATO via post to verify their identity.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide for Getting an ABN
Your name or business name
If you change your name due to marriage or divorce or any other reason, you’ll need to update that information as well. If the name of the business changes, you may be able to register this new name and link it to your current ABN.
Timeline for Updating Your ABN Details
You must update your details within 28 days of the date of the relevant change. So if, for example, you have a partner leave your partnership, you’ll need to update that information within 28 days of the partner’s resignation.
How to Update Your ABN Details
Now that you know when you should update your ABN, we need to determine how to update your ABN details. To update your details you can log in to the Australian Business Register using myGovID. Once you’re on the register, you can access your information to make the appropriate changes.
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