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_Bossa(Newbie)Newbie
16 Aug 2021

I've found information on this to be largely inconclusive and thus move my query here.

So: I am an artist who has a customer to have mural painting done for their premises (a business), and it would probably do me well to have an ABN for this gig. I intend to expand this as a business as far as I can, but naturally I have no way of actually knowing how much work I will get after this first client. Would I be out of line or perhaps even fined somehow if I did not manage to get more work?With the intention and first step being there, but absolutely no guarantee, is that enough?

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4,147 views
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Most helpful replyATO Certified Response

_Dan_ATO(Community Support)Community Support
ATO Certified Response18 Aug 2021

Hi @Bossa,

A great place to start is our page on starting your own business. There's a video and some links to go through that should guide you on getting your business started!

To answer your questions:

    • There's no minimum amount of money you need to earn to be eligible for an ABN.
    • No, you won't be fined if you're unable to obtain further work under the ABN. Over time, if you're not reporting information for your business in your tax return the ABN may be cancelled, but you wouldn't receive a fine for this.
    • You can be considered eligible for an ABN even if you haven't started running your business yet. If you've taken steps to start running the business this can still count. The ABR website has a page on ABN entitlement that runs through everything you need to know. There's a section on commencement activities that will relate to this question.

    Have a read through those links and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

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    Most helpful replyATO Certified Response

    _Dan_ATO(Community Support)Community Support
    ATO Certified Response18 Aug 2021

    Hi @Bossa,

    A great place to start is our page on starting your own business. There's a video and some links to go through that should guide you on getting your business started!

    To answer your questions:

      • There's no minimum amount of money you need to earn to be eligible for an ABN.
      • No, you won't be fined if you're unable to obtain further work under the ABN. Over time, if you're not reporting information for your business in your tax return the ABN may be cancelled, but you wouldn't receive a fine for this.
      • You can be considered eligible for an ABN even if you haven't started running your business yet. If you've taken steps to start running the business this can still count. The ABR website has a page on ABN entitlement that runs through everything you need to know. There's a section on commencement activities that will relate to this question.

      Have a read through those links and feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

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