Fed: Time running out to register for GST, ads warn

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2000
Fed: Time running out to register for GST, ads warn

CANBERRA, April 13 AAP - Business has just 32 working days left to register for the
GST, a new series of television advertisements to be launched tonight will warn.

More than half of Australia's 2.5 million businesses have now applied for an Australian
Business Number (ABN).

The number of ABNs issued by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has also passed the
one million mark.

But Tax Commissioner Michael Carmody has warned that time to get ABN applications in
is fast running out for the million or so businesses which still have to do so.

"While many businesses have done the right thing and registered, there are still a
large number of businesses who have yet to register," Mr Carmody said.

"To be guaranteed that they will be registered for the New Tax System by 1 July 2000,
businesses must apply by 31 May 2000 - at the latest.

"I want to make it absolutely clear there won't be any extensions to the guarantee
date, just problems for those who miss the deadline."

Businesses without an ABN aren't able to claim back GST inputs and credit for wholesale
sales tax for stock on hand at June 30, and face possible punishing provisional tax charges
by suppliers.

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KEYWORD: TAX NUMBER

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