Need Help Filing for an ABN as a Content Creator - Australian Tax Question

Thanks for this info! I'm in a similar situation but my content is mostly Twitch streaming and gaming videos. Would the same categories apply? Also, if I start making money from overseas platforms like Twitch and YouTube, does that change anything with the ABN registration?

For Twitch streaming and gaming videos, the same general categories would apply. You might find "Digital Content Creation" or "Online Entertainment" as options, but "Creative Arts" works perfectly fine if those specific options aren't listed. Regarding income from overseas platforms like Twitch and YouTube, the ABN registration process itself doesn't change. However, you'll need to report that foreign income on your Australian tax return. These platforms typically pay you in USD, so you'll need to convert amounts to AUD using the ATO's approved foreign exchange rates when reporting. I also recommend setting up good record-keeping from the start for these international payments.

Does this actually work for Australian tax stuff? I thought most tax tools were US-focused. Can it handle the specific ABN application questions?

I'm skeptical... how exactly does this help with ABN applications? Does it just give general advice or does it actually tell you what to put in each field?

Yes, it definitely works for Australian tax questions! I had the same concern initially, but they have specific coverage for Australian business registrations including ABN applications. It's not just US-focused at all. For the ABN application specifically, it helps by explaining each section in plain English and providing recommendations based on your situation. For example, when I uploaded a screenshot of the business activity selection page, it explained what each relevant category meant for content creators and helped me choose the most appropriate one for my photography/video work.

Wait, how exactly does this work? Do I still need to make the call to the ATO myself first or does this service do that part too?

This sounds like BS honestly. The ATO doesn't just let third parties hold places in their phone queue. And even if you get through, the person might not even know the right answer for content creators.

You start by going to their website and entering the ATO number you're trying to call. The service then places the call and navigates through all those annoying menu options for you. You just tell it which department you need (business registrations in this case). It's not a third party holding your place in any suspicious way - it's literally just an automated system making the call and then connecting you when a human answers. Think of it like having an assistant dial and wait on hold for you. When an actual ATO agent picks up, you get a call and are connected directly to them. Totally legitimate and saves hours of frustration.

That's a really good point I hadn't considered. I do have commercial intent though - I'm already monetized on YouTube (small but growing) and I'm planning to expand into merchandise and Patreon. I'm also keeping proper records of all expenses and have set up a separate bank account for the business income. Does that sound like enough to qualify as a business rather than a hobby?

Yes, that definitely sounds like you're operating with business intent! The separate bank account, record keeping, and existing monetization are all excellent indicators that you're running things as a business rather than a hobby. You should be fine. One additional suggestion - write up a simple business plan, even if it's just for your own reference. If the ATO ever questions your ABN, having documentation that shows you were approaching this as a business from the beginning is very helpful.

Can you claim subscription services too? Like stock photo sites or music licensing for videos? And what about courses to improve your content creation skills?

Yes, absolutely! Stock photo subscriptions, music licensing, and educational courses are all legitimate business expenses if they're directly related to your content creation work. I claim my Adobe Creative Suite subscription, Epidemic Sound membership, and even some online courses I've taken to improve my video editing skills. The key is making sure they're genuinely for business use. If you take a general photography course that also helps with personal photos, you'd need to calculate the business percentage. But if it's specifically for improving your YouTube content or learning new skills for client work, you can usually claim the full amount. Also don't forget about things like external hard drives for backing up content, tripods, microphones, and even travel expenses if you're creating content in different locations. The ATO has some good guidance on their website about what content creators can claim.

You can actually select multiple business activities on your ABN application! I had the same question when I was doing mine for my mix of content creation and consulting work. There's usually a primary activity field and then additional activities you can add. For your situation, I'd suggest putting "Digital Content Creation" or "Creative Arts" as your primary since that seems to be your main focus with YouTube, and then add something like "Marketing and Communication Services" or "Digital Marketing Services" for the social media management side. The ATO is pretty flexible with this - they mainly want to understand the general nature of your business activities for statistical purposes. As long as your selections reasonably represent what you actually do, you should be fine. You can always update these later if your business focus changes significantly.

This is such great advice about getting the ABN early for collaboration opportunities! I'm just starting out with content creation but I've already had a couple of small businesses reach out about potential partnerships. Having proper invoicing set up definitely makes you look more professional and legitimate. Quick question about the business bank account - do you need to wait until your ABN is approved to open one, or can you start the process while the application is still pending? I'm eager to get everything set up properly from the beginning rather than trying to sort it all out later when things get busier.