The ATO will stop accepting credit card payments after 30 June 2027. The original cut-off date was set for 30 November 2026, but on Friday 9/10/2026 Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced an extension to the transition period to give taxpayers more time to switch. Visa, Mastercard and American Express can still be used until then. All other payment methods remain available.

Why It’s Changing

The change follows the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging. As a government agency, the ATO has decided it isn’t appropriate to pass credit card merchant fees on to the wider community. About 2.3% of tax payments in 2024–25 were made by credit card.

From the new cutoff date payments can be made by the following methods:

• BPAY, through your bank, using your payment reference number (PRN)
• ATO online services: myGov for individuals and sole traders, or Online services for business
• Direct deposit (EFT) to the ATO’s bank account
• Debit card
• Government EasyPay, Australia Post or an international money remitter

Payments through online services can take up to 4 business days to reach your ATO account, so pay ahead of due dates.

Payment Plans Linked To A Credit Card

If your payment plan is paid from a credit card, you will need to change it before your first instalment due after 30 June 2027, or the plan may go into arrears. To update your plan:

Individuals & Sole Traders

1. Log in to myGov and open ATO online services.
2. From the menu, select Tax, then Payments.
3. Select Payment plans, then Update on the plan you want to change.

Businesses

1. Log in to Online services for business.
2. From the menu, select Accounts and Payments.
3. Select Payment plans, then Update on the plan you want to change.

From there you can switch to a debit card. To pay from a bank account instead, cancel the plan and set up a new one. Allow at least 3 business days before your next instalment. Full steps are at ato.gov.au/managepaymentplan.