Pay the ATO by credit card: the 30 Nov 2026 cut-off and what to do

Last updated 6 Oct 2026. Fees and rules checked against primary sources on 6 Oct 2026.

The ATO will stop accepting credit cards after 30 November 2026. Here's what changes, what it costs to pay the ATO by card now, and how to keep using a card through a bill payment service afterwards.

The ATO stops taking credit cards after 30 Nov 2026. After that date you can't pay the ATO directly by credit card. See what to do instead.

Pay the ATO with Sniip ↗pay.com.au (ABN holders) ↗

Fees apply and are shown by the provider before you pay. Card The Bill may receive a referral reward from providers we link to.

What the ATO announced

On 1 October 2026 the ATO said that, following the RBA's review of card payment costs and surcharging, it "will stop accepting credit cards as a payment method after 30 November 2026". It said it would not be appropriate for credit card merchant fees to be passed on to the community.

If you have a payment plan on direct debit from a credit card, change the payment method before your next instalment due after 30 November 2026. The ATO is writing to people in this situation.
Other payment methods stay available, including BPAY, EFT and direct debit from a bank account.

Until 30 November: paying the ATO directly by card

The ATO's card payment page, updated 1 October 2026, says card payment fees do not apply. That means paying the ATO directly by credit card costs no ATO fee for now. What you earn depends on your card: some cards exclude or cap points on government and tax payments, so check your card's rewards terms.

After 30 November: your options

Option	Cost as at 6 Oct 2026	Points	Who it suits
BPAY from your bank account (biller code 75556, your PRN as the reference)	No ATO fee	None	Anyone
EFT to the ATO (BSB 093 003, account 316385, your PRN as the reference)	No ATO fee	None	Anyone
Direct debit from a bank account	No ATO fee	None	Payment plans (allow 7 working days to set up)
Sniip, paying by card	Visa/Mastercard 1.50%; any Amex 1.99% + GST (2.19%); debit 0.65%	Card points, plus 1 Qantas Point per $10 if you link Qantas Frequent Flyer (capped at 2,000 a month)	Individuals and businesses, no ABN needed
pay.com.au, paying by card	Free plan: Visa/Mastercard 1.20% + GST; Amex 2.10% + GST	Card points, plus optional paid PayRewards	Businesses with an ABN

ATO bank details are from the ATO's own payment pages. Always use the PRN for the right tax type.

How to pay the ATO with a card through Sniip

Find your PRN in myGov (Tax > Accounts > Summary), Online services for business, or on your ATO notice.
In the Sniip app, add a bill with BPAY biller code 75556 and your PRN as the reference.
Choose Pay or Schedule, pick your card and confirm. Sniip shows the fee before you pay.
Pay early. Sniip says funds take 1 business day to clear, and the ATO says BPAY payments can take up to 4 business days to show on your account.

Worked example: a $10,000 BAS payment

Assume a business Amex earning 1 point per $1, points valued at 1 cent, and Qantas Frequent Flyer linked in Sniip. Card points are counted on the full charge, including the fee.

	Sniip (2.19%)	pay.com.au free plan (2.31% incl. GST)
Fee	$219.00	$231.00
Points	10,219 card + 1,000 Qantas = 11,219	10,231 card
Value at 1c a point	$112.19	$102.31
Net	−$106.81	−$128.69
Break-even value per point	1.95c	2.26c

At 1 cent a point, both cost more than the points are worth. It can still make sense if you value points more highly (for example on premium flights), or need the interest-free days for cash flow and repay in full. A GST-registered business may be able to claim GST credits on the fee.

Is the fee worth the points? Plug in your own card and bill in the fee vs points calculator. It shows the fee, the points, their value and your break-even cents per point.

Frequently asked questions

When does the ATO stop taking credit cards?

The ATO says it will stop accepting credit cards as a payment method after 30 November 2026. Its media release is dated 1 October 2026.

Can I still pay my tax with a credit card after 30 November 2026?

Not directly with the ATO. A bill payment service such as Sniip or pay.com.au can charge your card and pay the ATO by BPAY or bank transfer, for a fee.

Do I need an ABN?

Not for Sniip: you can pay personal or business tax without one. pay.com.au is only for businesses with an active ABN.

What happens to my ATO payment plan if it uses a credit card?

The ATO says you need to update your payment method before your next instalment due after 30 November 2026. It is writing to affected taxpayers. Guidance is at ato.gov.au/managepaymentplan.

Does the ATO charge a card fee right now?

The ATO's card payment page, updated 1 October 2026, says card payment fees do not apply to payments. Until 30 November you can pay the ATO directly by credit card without an ATO card fee, but check how many points your card earns on government payments.

Which Sniip rate applies to ATO payments on an Amex?

Sniip charges its business Amex rate on ATO payments with any Amex, personal or business: 1.99% + GST (2.19%) for payments under $100,000, as at 6 Oct 2026.

How long does an ATO payment take?

The ATO says BPAY payments can take up to 4 business days to reach your ATO account. Sniip says funds take 1 business day to clear and suggests paying 1 to 2 days before the due date. Allow at least 4 business days to be safe.

Is the processing fee tax deductible?

It may be, depending on your circumstances. pay.com.au says its fees are usually tax deductible for businesses. Ask your accountant; this isn't tax advice.

Sources

Checked on 6 Oct 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the source before you pay.