How to pay the ATO by credit card and earn rewards points
You can pay the ATO using an Amex, Mastercard or Visa. Here’s what it will cost you in fees, and how to earn rewards points when paying your tax bill.
You can use a credit card to pay off your ATO tax bill, HECS repayment or quarterly GST payment. You could even earn points this way.
Only a small number of rewards credit cards earn points for spending with the ATO and other government bodies.
Also, the ATO charges a fee for credit payments. Depending on the size of your tax bill, these fees might outweigh the benefit of the points you earn.
How to pay the ATO with a credit card
You can use a credit card to pay the ATO through the Government EasyPay website or through your myGov account.
You'll need your payment reference number (PRN) or electronic funds transfer (EFT) code, which can be found above the bar code on your payment slip or debt notice, or online via myGov.
How to pay the ATO using the Government EasyPay service
Enter your Payment Reference Number (PRN), the amount you're paying and your card details. You'll then see how much the card payment fee will cost.
Follow the prompts to complete the payment.
How to make an ATO payment through myGov
Log in to your myGov account.
Select the "Australian Taxation Office" link.
Click on the "Tax" column, select "Payments" and then "Payment Options".
Select the card payment option and follow the prompts to complete the payment. The credit card fee will be displayed then, too.
Note that only Australian Visa or Mastercard credit cards can be used for BPAY payments to the ATO, not Amex.
What are the ATO credit card payment fees?
When you use your credit card to pay the ATO, you'll be charged a card payment fee.
Australian Mastercard debit card: 0%
Australian Visa debit card: 0%
Australian Mastercard credit card: 0.72%
Australian Visa credit card: 0.80%
American Express: 1.45%
International Visa or Mastercard: 1.99%
You can avoid credit card fees by using a debit card or BPAY through bank account, but you won't earn points.
You could pay on your credit card using BPAY. But most credit cards won't let you earn points from BPAY transactions. Many of them also treat these payments as cash advances, which incur fees and immediate interest charges.
This might end up costing more than the card payment fee.
Which credit cards offer points for payments to the ATO?
Credit Card
Points per $1 for government charges
Other notes
Personal American Express cards (highest ATO earn rate):
1 Awards point per $1 OR 0.4 Qantas Points per $1 spent
The CommBank Awards program terms and conditions state that payments to the ATO won’t earn points unless they are made with a Business Awards or Business Platinum Awards card.
BusinessChoice Rewards Platinum: 0.33 Qantas Points per $1 spent (0.5 points per $1.50) up to 100,000 Qantas Points per month
Altitude Business Platinum: 0.5 points per $1 spent
Altitude Business Gold: 0.5 points per $1 spent (up to 20,000 Altitude Points per month)
These earn rates are specifically listed for government payments, which includes those made to the ATO.
How to check if your credit card earns points for tax payments
Look at the reward program terms and conditions. Credit cards that earn reward or frequent flyer points have a list of transactions that are not eligible to earn points. If "government charges" or "ATO payments" are on the list, then you won't earn points for your tax payment.
Contact your credit card company. Call, email, use an online chat service or leave a message on social media asking the credit card company whether or not your card earns points for ATO payments. If you decide to use social media, make sure you don't share any personal details and only mention the name of the card (rather than your account information).
Should I pay my tax bill with a credit card in the first place?
Our expert says: Is earning points on a tax payment worth it?
"Earning points is great. But the card transaction fees can really add up. You need to sit down and figure out if the value of the points you get is greater than the surcharge. This is especially true with American Express cards, as a 1.45% fee on a $3,000 payment is $43.50."
Example: Is paying your tax bill with a credit card is worth it?
Let's say you have a $10,000 tax bill with the ATO.
You pay it with an American Express card that earns you 1 Membership Reward Point per dollar spent.
Points earned: 10,000 Membership Rewards
Transaction fee (1.45%): $145
Points value: Varies, but you could get a $50 Coles digital gift card with 10,000 points.
In this example it's not worth it. Let's try another card with.
You pay it with a Mastercard credit card that earns you 1 Qantas Point per dollar spent.
Points earned: 10,000 Qantas Points
Transaction fee (0.72%): $72
Points value: Varies, but you could redeem a one-way Sydney to Melbourne reward flight for around 8,000 points. That's worth around $134, which outweighs the transaction fee.
Paying your ATO bill with your credit card via a third party platform
You can also pay the ATO with your credit card via platforms like:
Deft. This payment platform lets you make payments via your credit card. But there will be a credit card transaction fee that's slightly higher than what the ATO charges.
Sniip. You can make ATO payments via Sniip and earn the full value of your points (for example, some American Express cards offer fewer points per dollar spend on government payments, but Sniip gets you more points). But you have to pay a processing fee that may exceed the standard Amex transaction fee the ATO charges.
Frequently asked questions
If you get a new credit card that earns points for ATO payments, you might be wondering if paying your tax bill counts towards the bonus points spend requirement.
Just like earning points per $1 spent on ATO payments, the answer depends on your card. But it's unlikely if you have a card that doesn't earn points for ATO payments.
If you have a card that does earn points for ATO payments, keep in mind that credit card companies often update the conditions around earning points for ATO payments.
This makes it hard to assume a card will earn points (bonus or otherwise). So before you pay your tax bill, double-check you'll earn points and make sure you consider the card payment fee so that you can decide if it's worth it for you.
It depends on the credit card issuer. While technically the ATO is a government body, in some cases credit card transactions may not be classified as government charges and points may be awarded at the credit card provider’s discretion.
Yes. Several American Express cards let you earn Amex Membership Rewards on ATO or Australia Post payments. You can earn 1 point for every dollar spent at government bodies with the American Express Platinum card, for example.
This is the fee that the ATO charges for processing credit card payments. The fee is based on the credit card used to complete the transaction, Visa, Mastercard or American Express for example, and is a percentage of the total value of the transaction.
You can also use a credit card to make a voluntary HECS-HELP repayment through MyGov. There will be a transaction fee for doing this.
Richard Whitten is Finder’s Senior Money Editor, with over eight years of experience in home loans, property, credit cards and personal finance. His insights appear in top media outlets like Yahoo Finance, Money Magazine, and the Herald Sun, and he frequently offers expert commentary on television and radio, helping Australians navigate mortgages and property ownership. Richard started his career in education and textbook publishing in South Korea. He holds multiple industry certifications, including a Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking (RG 206) and Tier 1 and Tier 2 certifications (RG 146), as well as a Bachelor of Education from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Certificate in Communications from Deakin University.
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Hi there,
I am looking for an Australian Business Credit Card that ATO credit card surcharge deductible. For example, if I’m paying my business tax bill and claiming the fee as a tax deduction could also help making earning points.
Finder
JeniAugust 12, 2018Finder
Hi Christina,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
There are business credit cards earning points for ATO payments from our comparison table above. You can use the table to help you find the card that suits you. You can press the “Go to site” button of your preferred card if you are ready to apply. Please make sure though to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the card, as well as the relevant PDS/ T&Cs of the card before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you.
With most credit card payments to the ATO attracting a surcharge make sure you do your sums before deciding how to pay. It’s also worth considering fee-free options – such as BPAY or a direct transfer from your everyday bank account – so that you can find the most convenient and affordable way to pay your tax bill.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
JudyAugust 24, 2017
Can I use my ANZ visa card or Westpac Amex card to pay BAS?
Thanks
Finder
HaroldAugust 25, 2017Finder
Hi Judy,
Thank you for your inquiry.
You can make a payment by credit card or BPAY. To find out more, please read ATO’s how to pay guide to learn more about how you can pay with BPAY or credit card and debit card.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
BethAugust 9, 2017
I am looking for a visa or mastercard to use to make payments with the ATO to earn qantas frequent flyer points. I understand not all cards do this and are being limited. What cards do you know of that are on offer for this service ?
Thank you
Finder
RenchAugust 9, 2017Finder
Hi Beth,
Thanks for your inquiry. Please note that we are not affiliated with any company we feature on our site and so we can only offer you general advice.
The range of CommBank Business Awards credit cards is currently the only option that states ATO payments made with the Mastercard will earn points. Unfortunately, most other banks no longer allow cardholders to earn rewards points on ATO payments. The providers listed on this page are currently the only ones in Australia that allow cardholders to earn points on tax payments.
If you wish to explore other options, please check our list of frequent flyer credit cards. (Please note that these cards do not earn points for ATO payments).
Cheers,
Rench
BrettMay 19, 2017
Hi
Im with nab at the moment and i convert all my points to qantas ff, can you advise the best card for making large payment to the ato for maximum qantas ff points?
thanks
AnndyMay 22, 2017
Hi Brett,
Thanks for your question.
Currently, Westpac’s Altitude Black (AMEX) lets you earn 1.5 points per $1 paid to the ATO. Unfortunately, starting 1 July 2017, this card will no longer earn points for ATO payments.
After the changes in the coming months, most credit cards that earn rewards points to the ATO will generally earn just .5 points per $1. You can refer to the list above.
Cheers,
Anndy
DeanMay 11, 2017
My bill is greater than my card limit. If I transfer funds to my credit card so I have a credit balance. Can I use those funds to pay the ATO and earn the extra reward points.
LiezlMay 11, 2017
Hi Dean,
Thank you for your question.
Generally, transferring funds to your credit card will not increase your credit limit, it will be treated as an overpayment. If banks accept payment from you in excess of your outstanding balance, your available credit limit will not be increased by the amount of the overpayment and it does not necessarily mean that bank will authorise transactions for an amount in excess of your credit limit.
It would be best to check with your bank before making an overpayment.
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Hi there,
I am looking for an Australian Business Credit Card that ATO credit card surcharge deductible. For example, if I’m paying my business tax bill and claiming the fee as a tax deduction could also help making earning points.
Hi Christina,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
There are business credit cards earning points for ATO payments from our comparison table above. You can use the table to help you find the card that suits you. You can press the “Go to site” button of your preferred card if you are ready to apply. Please make sure though to read the eligibility criteria, features and details of the card, as well as the relevant PDS/ T&Cs of the card before making a decision and consider whether the product is right for you.
With most credit card payments to the ATO attracting a surcharge make sure you do your sums before deciding how to pay. It’s also worth considering fee-free options – such as BPAY or a direct transfer from your everyday bank account – so that you can find the most convenient and affordable way to pay your tax bill.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
Can I use my ANZ visa card or Westpac Amex card to pay BAS?
Thanks
Hi Judy,
Thank you for your inquiry.
You can make a payment by credit card or BPAY. To find out more, please read ATO’s how to pay guide to learn more about how you can pay with BPAY or credit card and debit card.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
I am looking for a visa or mastercard to use to make payments with the ATO to earn qantas frequent flyer points. I understand not all cards do this and are being limited. What cards do you know of that are on offer for this service ?
Thank you
Hi Beth,
Thanks for your inquiry. Please note that we are not affiliated with any company we feature on our site and so we can only offer you general advice.
The range of CommBank Business Awards credit cards is currently the only option that states ATO payments made with the Mastercard will earn points. Unfortunately, most other banks no longer allow cardholders to earn rewards points on ATO payments. The providers listed on this page are currently the only ones in Australia that allow cardholders to earn points on tax payments.
If you wish to explore other options, please check our list of frequent flyer credit cards. (Please note that these cards do not earn points for ATO payments).
Cheers,
Rench
Hi
Im with nab at the moment and i convert all my points to qantas ff, can you advise the best card for making large payment to the ato for maximum qantas ff points?
thanks
Hi Brett,
Thanks for your question.
Currently, Westpac’s Altitude Black (AMEX) lets you earn 1.5 points per $1 paid to the ATO. Unfortunately, starting 1 July 2017, this card will no longer earn points for ATO payments.
After the changes in the coming months, most credit cards that earn rewards points to the ATO will generally earn just .5 points per $1. You can refer to the list above.
Cheers,
Anndy
My bill is greater than my card limit. If I transfer funds to my credit card so I have a credit balance. Can I use those funds to pay the ATO and earn the extra reward points.
Hi Dean,
Thank you for your question.
Generally, transferring funds to your credit card will not increase your credit limit, it will be treated as an overpayment. If banks accept payment from you in excess of your outstanding balance, your available credit limit will not be increased by the amount of the overpayment and it does not necessarily mean that bank will authorise transactions for an amount in excess of your credit limit.
It would be best to check with your bank before making an overpayment.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Liezl