Yes, if your business has stopped trading or is no longer operating, you can easily cancel your ABN online through the Australian Business Register (ABR). It’s a straightforward process, but there are some important steps to follow to make sure you meet all your obligations.

At ISM Accountant, we regularly help individuals and small business owners with ABN cancellations — especially those who’ve finished sole trading, sold their business, or are changing their business structure. Let’s walk you through everything you need to know about how to cancel your ABN online the right way.

How Do You Cancel an ABN Online?

Ready to cancel your ABN online? Here’s how to do it:

Start by heading over to the official Australian Business Register website.
Then, click on the “Cancel your ABN” option.
Log in with your myGovID.
Follow the prompts to confirm your business has stopped operating.
Once you’ve done that, just submit your cancellation request, and you’re all set!

That’s it. Once your request is submitted, your ABN will be marked as cancelled, and it will show as inactive on the public ABN Lookup. There’s no cost involved.

When Should You Cancel Your ABN?

We typically recommend cancelling your ABN if:

You’ve permanently stopped operating as a business
You’ve closed or sold your business
You’re no longer freelancing or contracting
You’ve changed your structure (for example, from sole trader to a company)
You no longer need to invoice clients or register for GST

If you keep your ABN active when you’re no longer in business, you might still receive requests from the ATO or be expected to lodge BAS or income tax returns. It’s better to cancel it than leave it hanging and risk penalties or confusion later.

What Should You Do After Cancelling Your ABN?

Cancelling your ABN is just one part of wrapping up a business properly. Depending on how your business was set up and what registrations you had, you may also need to:

Deregister for GST and PAYG withholding
Lodge a final BAS
Submit a final income tax return
Notify any relevant bodies, such as ASIC (if you had a registered company)

It’s always worth checking whether there are any final reporting or tax requirements you need to meet. We help our clients with that all the time, especially those who aren’t sure what the ATO will expect next.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over the years, we’ve seen a few recurring issues people run into when cancelling an ABN:

Forgetting to cancel GST when cancelling the ABN
Not finalising income tax returns for the final financial year
Cancelling the ABN too early – before invoices are issued or payments are finalised
Not updating ASIC or relevant bodies for company closures

Cancelling an ABN is simple, but it’s important to look at the full picture of your business obligations. If you’re unsure what applies in your case, professional advice will save you time and stress.

Need Help Cancelling Your ABN or Closing a Business?

Whether it’s a simple ABN cancellation or a complete wind-down of operations, we at ISM Accountant have assisted innumerable Australian contractors, sole proprietors, and business owners in correctly closing their companies.

We provide tailored advice on:

Whether you’re based in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, or anywhere across Australia, our team is here to support you with practical, no-fuss accounting advice.

Speak to an Experienced Business Accountant Today

Closing a business is a big decision, and it should be done properly. If you’re ready to cancel your ABN, or you’re not sure what the next step is, let’s talk. We’ll make sure everything is wrapped up the right way, so you can move on without any loose ends.

Get in touch with ISM Accountant for expert support you can trust.