Wednesday, April 11, 2012


The Fundamentals of an Australian Business Number

                An Australian Business Number (ABN) Registration is not a mandatory process that every business must go through but it is surely a good thing to consider. There are many good reasons why you should consider making an ABN registration because by obtaining an Australian Business Number, you confirm your business to be official and not just another scam or cheap money earner.  By doing the registration process, you also prove that you mean business and that other businesses must take you seriously because what you offer is the real deal.
                Many businesses fail to see the importance of ABN registration because they think that it is just another difficult process, but they do not realize that having an ABN will benefit them especially in the avoidance of PAYG withholding taxes.  If your company doesn’t have an ABN displayed on your invoices, you can lose up to 46.5% of the payment given by other companies or business entities. Imagine the amount of payment being held back by not having an ABN.  
                Not having an Australian Business Number can even affect your long-term profits. PAYG withholding taxes restrict the amount of positive cash flow that runs through your business. When this happens, your business will experience financial downfall thus making it difficult for you to meet your bills, employee wages and other critical outgoings.
                When your business hits the big mark like when you turn over $75,000 or more within a single year, you will need to have an Australian Business Number. This happens because you are expected to register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) once this particular threshold is breached. A valid Australian Business Number is needed before being able to complete a GST registration.
The Australian Business Register
                On of the most important things that your business needs t achieve is to be recognised by the Australian Business Register. The Australian Business Register is the database for all businesses registered in Australia and it stores relevant information that can be used by customers and other businesses.  When another business owner wants to check if you’re business is legitimate and has complete information, all he needs to do is to enter your ABN to get the credentials of your business. This is why an ABN registration is recommended because it puts your entity onto the Australian Business Register and proves that you are not another scumbag after people’s money.
                Whether you’re a starting small or want to go big immediately, it is of utmost importance to have good credibility. You also want to have a good name in the industry and want to build solid relationships with potential business partners. By having a valid Australian Business Number, you’re not only making your business authorized, but this also increases your credibility and makes you trustworthy business partner. This will also ensure a positive relationship when dealing with other wholesalers, suppliers and retailers.
One Australian Business Number for your Enterprise
                Some people think that they need to make multiple registrations for each business subsidiary but this is not applicable for an Australian Business Number. In doing the ABN registration process, you will only need to register your main business name and the other enterprise can use the same Australian Business Number.
                For example, if you have registered and Australian Business Number under the name of Sydney Apparels, you can continue using the same ABN when you launch Sydney Footwear or Sydney Sporting Goods.
Making your Name in the Online Market
                There are very few businesses who thought of being visible through the online market as this is not usually a priority especially when you are just starting out. But with today’s latest trends especially with internet marketing, one should seriously think of building an online presence. You can do this by starting out with the basics like having a business website that provides a reference for your customers about your products or services. Some businesses have websites as a supplement to their main business which is on land but there are also businesses that operate as a full online business entity. When you plan to operate a purely online business, you also need to make use of social networking and outbound marketing techniques.
                When making a website with an Australian domain name, you will need to have a registered Australian Business Number. This is another reason why ABN registration is important because you will have an authentic online business if you have relevant suffixes like .com.au or .net.au. Having an Australian domain makes your business reliable and a bona fide Australian business and not just any business claiming to be in Australia.
The Principles of the Australian Business Number
                An Australian Business Number is not just an 11-digit number that identifies your business but it actually serves more purpose for your business that you might not think of. Going through an ABN registration is actually worth it because you get many benefits in return. Like when dealing with governmental bodies, local authorities or other businesses, having a registered ABN will save you time, money and tons of inconvenience.
                Through an ABN registration, the Australian Tax Office and other organisations will be able to identify your business more easily. Problems and difficulties in transactions can be avoided and your business can easily reclaim money from any Goods and Services Tax (GST) payments when products and services are purchased. Imagine all the hassles you can avoid by just being registered.  
Be familiar with your ABN
                Every business owner has a unique Australian Business Number and this is designed to identify you more easily. When you have successfully completed an ABN registration, you will be given an eleven-digit number that will correspond to your personal Australian Tax Office number. You don’t need to memorize this as long as you have a copy that is easily accessible every time you need it.
                Not all business can register for an Australian Business Number because only self-employed individuals, sole trader or partnership venture. Companies have to register for an ACN (Australian Company Number) instead of an ABN.
Breathe from Tax Issues with an Australian Business Number
                Taxes are the life of the nation as they that the source of income that helps to sustain the economy of Australia. The government uses withholding taxes to ensure all businesses are contributing to economic growth. Completing an ABN registration will generally save you money from purchasing and or receiving goods and services.
                A valid Australian Business Number is needed in every transaction you make so that other organisations and entities can identify your business. Failure to display your ABN will allow other businesses to keep 46.5% of your purchasing costs or income in the form of withholding taxes that are subsequently paid to the Australian Tax Office.