You don’t need an Australian Business Number (ABN) to get paid, but if you are a tax resident in Australia and don’t provide an ABN, APRA AMCOS will deduct income tax before you get paid.
Tax will not be deducted for royalty payments to members who are tax resident in NZ, so a business number is not necessary for NZ-based members.
If you are a tax resident in Australia and don’t provide an Australian Business Number (ABN), APRA AMCOS is required to deduct tax from your royalties at the highest marginal rate for personal income tax for payments of more than $500 in APRA royalties and $75 for AMCOS royalties.
So, if you are an APRA or AMCOS member and pay tax in Australia, make sure you tell us your ABN.
APRA AMCOS can only accept “Individual (Sole Trader)” ABNs for writer members, so make sure you have the right one. It’s free to apply for an ABN through the Australian Business Register.
ABNs are for Australian tax residents only. If you are a tax resident of New Zealand, income tax is not deducted from your royalties, so New Zealand-based members do not need to provide a business number.
When will I get paid?
Performance Reports are paid quarterly in February, May, August, November.