The ATO won't budge on stopping credit-card tax payments after the surcharge ban, and business groups call it a double standard
The ATO will stop accepting credit cards for tax from November 30. The ABC reported it will not budge after meeting business groups, and the Herald reported business groups urging a reversal. Angus Taylor called it hypocritical. The ATO says about 2.3 per cent of tax payments were made by credit card in 2024–25 and more than 60 per cent of those from privately owned and wealthy groups and public and multinational businesses. The AFR reported the surcharge ban will cost a Sydney council about $175,000, and the ABC found some cafes lifted coffee prices by about 10 per cent.
The government is applying to itself the argument that it denies to merchants: someone must pay.
If you pay tax by card, plan for November 30.
A government agency should not hand out card fees to the public.
Banning merchant surcharges while refusing to bear card fees is a double standard.
Watch whether the ATO offers a payment-plan concession before November 30.
DailyDrop Australia edition No. 3 · Morning · WED., OCT. 7, 2026