Can You Still Pay the ATO by Credit Card? What Australians Need to Know

Yes. As of October 30, 2026, Australians can still pay the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) directly by credit card. The ATO had planned to stop taking direct credit-card payments after November 30, 2026, but the federal government postponed that change. Treasury says the ATO will continue accepting credit-card transactions through June 30, 2027, with transitional funding to cover the extra cost.

After that transition, Treasury says the ATO will continue accepting credit-card payments through third-party providers, along with options such as debit card and bank transfer. That does not mean the ATO’s own online checkout is guaranteed to keep taking credit cards after June 30, 2027. Check the ATO’s current payment options before you rely on a particular method.

What changed, and when?

Two different changes are easy to confuse. First, the Reserve Bank of Australia’s card-payment reforms took effect on October 1, 2026. Visa, Mastercard, and eftpos introduced rules against separate card surcharges; American Express also announced it would remove surcharging. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission explains the consumer-facing change in its card surcharge guidance.

Second, the ATO had said it would stop accepting direct credit-card payments after November 30, 2026, because the new surcharge rules changed how the office could recover card-acceptance costs. On October 9, the government announced temporary funding so direct acceptance could continue through June 30, 2027. The Treasury announcement also says the ATO will consult on longer-term support and alternatives for taxpayers who cannot pay by other methods.

So, the surcharge change did not itself make credit cards unusable for tax payments. A surcharge is an extra charge for choosing a card; accepting a card is a separate decision. The new rules generally prevent a separate surcharge for covered cards, but they do not require every organization to accept credit cards.

What to check before paying by credit card

Use the ATO’s secure online services and check the total shown before confirming. The card-network rules and ATO arrangements are changing, so do not rely on an old processing-fee percentage or a payment guide saved from an earlier year. If the checkout shows an unexpected fee, pause and check what it is for before submitting.

Also consider the cost on your card account. A no-surcharge rule does not remove interest if you carry a balance, cash-advance charges where your issuer applies them, annual fees, or the card issuer’s own rewards conditions. Points or cashback may be excluded for tax payments, and card benefits can change. Compare the actual benefit you expect with the interest and fees you would pay; do not assume rewards make borrowing worthwhile.

When paying online, use a card you are authorized to use and keep the ATO receipt or confirmation number. Check that the payment appears against the correct tax account in ATO online services. A card authorization or a payment-provider confirmation is useful evidence, but the outcome you need is that the ATO has received and allocated the payment.

Alternatives to direct credit-card payment

• BPAY: Use the biller code and payment reference number (PRN) on the relevant ATO notice or in online services. The PRN identifies the account being paid, so do not reuse one from another liability. Allow time for bank processing and for the payment to appear in your ATO account.
• Debit card: The ATO lists debit-card payments among its online options. Treasury says debit card will remain one of the free or low-fee options after the credit-card transition, though your bank’s account terms still apply.
• Bank transfer or EFT: Follow the ATO’s instructions for the specific account and use the matching payment reference. A mistyped or mismatched reference can delay allocation.
• Payment plan: If you cannot pay the full amount by the due date, contact the ATO promptly or check whether you can arrange a plan through online services. A plan can spread payments, but interest may continue to accrue on unpaid tax. The ATO’s payment-plan information explains eligibility and how to estimate repayments.

For any payment method, the due date still matters. Paying by card does not extend it, and a payment plan does not automatically stop interest. If a due date is close, choose an option with enough processing time and verify the credit in your ATO account rather than waiting for a later card statement.

Planning for the June 2027 transition

If you use a credit card to manage business cash flow, mark June 30, 2027, as a review point. Before then, check whether the ATO has updated its payment guidance and whether your business can shift to BPAY, debit card, bank transfer, or an ATO payment plan. If you consider a third-party card-payment provider after direct ATO acceptance ends, verify the provider independently, review its total fees and processing time, and confirm exactly how it sends money to the ATO. The ATO has specifically urged taxpayers to check third-party credentials and charges.

The best method is the one that gets the payment to the correct ATO account by the due date at an acceptable total cost. For many taxpayers, BPAY or a bank transfer may be simpler than using a credit card. If you depend on card credit or cannot use the standard alternatives, contact the ATO or your registered tax professional before the transition date rather than waiting until a payment is due.

Policy checked against official Treasury, ATO, RBA, and ACCC information available on October 30, 2026. Payment options and provider terms can change; confirm current details with the ATO before paying.