Do I Need GST for My New ABN? GST is one of the most misunderstood parts of starting an ABN, and it causes unnecessary stress for new business owners. The reality is much simpler than most people think. Most new ABN holders do not need GST, especially in their first year. Registering too early often creates paperwork and reporting obligations that provide no benefit. The key is knowing wh
Do I Need to Lodge a Tax Return if I Have an ABN? If you hold an ABN, lodging a tax return is not optional. Whether you earned income, spent money, or simply kept the ABN active during the year, the tax system expects a return to be lodged with a Business Schedule. This applies even if your ABN activity was small, irregular, or didn’t generate a profit. This is one of the most commo
Do I Need an ABN If I Also Have a Job? Having a regular job does not cancel out the need for an ABN. If you earn money under an ABN while also working as an employee, the tax system treats these as two separate income streams. They are reported differently during the year, but they come together at tax time. This is where many side-hustlers get caught out. Why Having a Job Doesn&rsqu
What to Do After Getting an ABN Getting an ABN is easy. Knowing what to do next is where most people slip up. Once your ABN is active, the tax system treats you as running a business — even if it’s just a side hustle or occasional work. That means a few responsibilities apply straight away, whether you’re aware of them or not. The key is understanding the correct order o
What Is an ABN? (And How It Really Works) If you’ve just grabbed yourself an ABN, congratulations — you’ve officially stuck your toe into the small business pool. But before you cannonball in and start earning money, let’s clear up what an ABN actually is, what it isn’t, and what it quietly drags into your life behind the scenes. Because here’s the kicker
Do I Pay Tax on ABN Income If I Already Pay Tax at My Job? Yes — you still pay tax on your ABN income, even though your employer already withholds tax from your salary. Your employer only covers the tax for your wages, not your side-hustle income. Here’s how it works: Your salary has tax withheld Your ABN income has no tax withheld At tax time, the ATO ad
Side Hustle + ABN Tax Guide — How Tax Works When You Have a Job AND an ABN Welcome to Australia’s most confusing tax category — and the place where most people accidentally donate half their refund to the ATO. When you’ve got a job and an ABN on the side, you’re dealing with two tax systems running at once: your job, where tax is withheld for you
First-Year ABN Guide — Everything You Need To Know (Plain English, No Stress) If you’ve just received your ABN, take a breath. You’re not running a multinational, you’re not expected to know tax law, and you don’t need to panic about “business things”. You simply need to understand what having an ABN actually means, what you need to do, what you can cl
Can I Claim Business Expenses Without a Registered ABN? Gotax Publishing – 21 November 2025 Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Running a Business Without an ABN? Here’s What You Can (and Can’t) Claim If you’ve earned income from a side hustle, freelance gig, or informal business activity, you might be wondering: Can I still claim business expenses on my tax return
Sole Trader vs Company vs Trust vs Partnership: What’s the Difference? Gotax Publishing – 18 November2025 Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Choosing a Business Structure? Here’s What You Need to Know Starting a business in Australia? One of your first—and most important—decisions is choosing the right structure. Should you register as a sole trader, compa