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Most of the time when you pull out a credit card, it's just to make a payment. But what if you could get other benefits too?
Credit cards that earn points for ATO payments
Find out how you can earn reward or frequent flyer points when you pay your tax bill with a credit card.
If you want to make a payment to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) using a credit card, you have the option of paying online or over the phone with an American Express, Mastercard or Visa credit card. A small number of credit cards even earn points for spending with the ATO or other government bodies, usually at a reduced rate when compared to the points you earn for everyday purchases.
So before pulling out a credit card to pay your taxes, use this guide to check whether or not you can earn points in the process. You can also compare cards that offer points for ATO payments and learn more about the fees and restrictions so that you can decide whether using a credit card is worth it. Offer ends 07 October 2020 Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply A business card that offers 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards points and up to 1.5 points per $1 spent.American Express Charge Card Offer
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How can I tell if my credit card earns points for tax payments?
There are two main ways you can check whether or not your card offers points for payments to the ATO:
- Check the reward program terms and conditions. Look at the credit card’s earn rate details or go to the reward program terms and conditions for 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).
Which credit cards offer points for payments to the ATO?
To help you weigh up your options, this table shows the known credit cards that will earn you points when you make a payment to the ATO – including the amount of rewards you’ll get for every dollar you spend.
| Credit Card | Points per $1 for government charges | Other notes |
|---|---|---|
| American Express cards: | 1 point per $1 spent | The American Express Platinum, Essential and Explorer cards all list an earn rate for payments to government bodies, including the ATO. The American Express Platinum Edge does not specifically list payments to government bodies as eligible or ineligible for earning points. |
| 0.5 points per $1 spent | These American Express cards all list an earn rate for payments to government bodies, including the ATO. | |
| American Express David Jones credit cards: | 1 point per $1 spent | The American Express David Jones credit cards don’t specifically list payments to government bodies as eligible or ineligible for earning points. |
| American Express Westpac Altitude Rewards Bundles – Amex cards only (issued by Amex): | 1 point per $1 spent | These earn rates are specifically listed for American Express Westpac Altitude card spending at government bodies in Australia, including the ATO. Note that the relevant earn rate only applies to the Amex card when you have an American Express Westpac Altitude bundle (which also comes with a Westpac-issued Mastercard). |
| 0.5 points per $1 spent | These earn rates are specifically listed for American Express Westpac Altitude card spending at government bodies in Australia, including the ATO. Note that the relevant earn rate only applies to the Amex card when you have an American Express Westpac Altitude bundle (which also comes with a Westpac-issued Mastercard). You also have to opt-in to the Altitude Qantas rewards option. | |
| American Express business cards: | 1 point per $1 spent | These American Express cards all specifically list an earn rate for payments to government bodies, including the ATO. |
| 0.5 points per $1 spent | These American Express cards all specifically list an earn rate for payments to government bodies, including the ATO. | |
| ANZ | 0.5 ANZ Reward Points for every $1 spent on taxation payments | These ANZ cards specifically list this earn rate for “taxation payments”. |
| Bank of Melbourne | 0.5 Amplify points per $1 OR 0.25 Qantas points* *Requires opt-in to the Qantas program | These earn rates are specifically listed for government payments, which includes those made to the ATO. |
| BankSA | 0.5 Amplify points per $1 OR 0.25 Qantas points* *Requires opt-in to the Qantas program | These earn rates are specifically listed for government payments, which includes those made to the ATO. |
| Commonwealth Bank | 1 point 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. |
| St.George | 0.5 Amplify points per $1 OR 0.25 Qantas points* *Requires opt-in to the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program | These earn rates are specifically listed for government payments, which includes those made to the ATO. |
Compare credit cards that earn points for ATO payments
Other important details about earning points for tax payments
If you’re planning to use a credit card for your ATO payment, make sure you also keep the following details in mind:
Credit card reward point exceptions
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence online that suggests some people have earned rewards for ATO payments on other credit cards – including some that state government payments are not eligible for rewards. However, reward program terms and conditions usually note that there could be variations. They also typically reserve the right to make changes or exclude transactions from earning rewards. So, while there may be times when you do earn points on ATO payments with a card that does not define them as "eligible transactions", it could be risky.
Business payments on personal credit cards
If you're planning to use a credit card to pay your ATO debt for a business, keep in mind that most personal credit cards have restrictions around business spending (including personal business spending). So, for example, if you run a small business and pay with your personal credit card, the transaction may not be eligible to earn any points.
Surcharges
When you use your credit card to make a purchase with the ATO, you'll be charged a card payment fee. The cost is calculated as a percentage of your payment, with the following rates for different card types:
- American Express: 1.45%
- Australian Visa credit: 0.78%
- Australian Mastercard credit: 0.7%
- Australian Mastercard debit card: 0.15%
- Australian Visa debit card: 0.36%
- International Visa or Mastercard: 2.7%
You can avoid these card payment fees by paying the ATO through bank transfers or BPAY payments. However, BPAY payments made from a credit card usually aren’t eligible for points.
Credit card surcharge tax deductions
The ATO card payment fee may be tax deductible under some circumstances. For example, if you're paying a tax bill for your business. Claiming the fee as a tax deduction could also help make earning points worth it. You can check with your accountant to find out if you’re eligible to claim this cost.
Full guide to paying the ATO with a credit card
Is earning points on a tax payment worth it?
The cost of the ATO card payment fee means that the value you get from any points is likely to be worth less than what you spend to earn them. However, if you really want to earn points for your tax payment, you can work out the exact value by considering the following details:
- The surcharge you’ll pay based on the card you use
- The amount of points you’ll earn based on your tax payment
- Your reward balance and/or any rewards you’re saving up to redeem
Example: Working out if paying your tax bill with a credit card is worth it
Say you had a tax bill of $10,000 and wanted to pay with a credit card that offers 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent with the ATO. Here’s how the costs and points would break down:
- ATO card payment fee: $145 (based on the 1.45% charge for Amex transactions)
- Points earned: 5,000 Qantas Points
In terms of rewards, these points could get you a $25 Myer digital gift card (from 4,510 points), or be saved up for flights or other high-value frequent flyer rewards.
If you really needed an extra 5,000 Qantas Points, earning them in this way would be cheaper than buying them, with the Qantas Frequent Flyer program offering 5,000 points for $208. So in this case, the value of the points really depends on how much you want them.
It’s also worth noting that you’ll typically get more value per point if you use an Australian Mastercard or Visa that offers points for ATO payments. This is because the ATO payment fee is much lower for these types of credit cards compared to American Express cards.
Either way, looking at the total cost of the payment fee and the amount of points you’ll earn based on your tax debt and credit card will help you decide if it’s worth it.
Credit card companies often update the conditions around earning points for ATO payments, making it hard to assume any particular card will earn points. 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.
FAQs about earning points for credit card payments to the ATO
If you want to know more about credit cards that earn points for ATO payments and other government charges, you’ll find answers here to some of the most common questions. Or, if you have another question, get in touch with us by filling out the comment box below.
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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.
You may find some of business credit cards that you can use to earn rewards points on ATO payments on this page.
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 see this page.
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 are currently the only options that state 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.
You can also have a look on this page for 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 authorize 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
Can I earn points when I pay ATO bills with my Commonwealth Diamond AMEX/MasterCard credit card?
Hi Michael,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Please note that you cannot earn rewards points with Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit card on payments to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).
You can earn reward points with Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards Credit card on eligible transactions but not on balance transfers, BPAY transactions, cash advances and payments to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), unless made using a Commonwealth Bank Business Awards Credit card, Gold Awards Card or Business Awards Platinum card.
Kind regards,
Jason
Am I correct to assume that, from reading above, I will earn 3 points per dollar spent in paying the ATO on the CBA Business Awards Platinum card?
Thanks
Hi Ian,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Yes, you can earn Commonwealth Bank Awards points for ATO payments with Commonwealth Bank Business Awards Platinum credit card. You will get 1 reward point per dollar spent when you use your MasterCard and 3 points per dollar spent you use your AMEX card. Points are earned on eligible transactions (most purchases, but not, for example, BPAY transactions, cash advances, payments to the Australian Taxation Office unless made using a Business Awards card, or balance transfers) and are subject to points capping.
Please check out this link for more information on Commonwealth Bank Business Awards Platinum Credit Card.
Kind regards,
Jason
Hi,
If I have a credit limit of let say $20,000 on my westpac altitude black and have a tax bill of let’s say $100,000 can I put extra $80k from my other account into the credit card account and pay the $100k ato bill with the westpac altitude black Amex to earn the reward points for the full $100k? If yes how many points am I going to earn in total and is the surcharge worth it?
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
Bobby
Hi Bobby,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Your credit card limit is the amount that you are allowed to spend on your card. So if you want to pay your tax bill worth $100K in order to earn points but your credit card limit is only $20,000, I’m afraid that won’t be possible. I suggest that you contact Westpac directly to verify if you can opt out of being able to exceed your credit limit and still earn points on your ATO payments.
Cheers,
May
Hi everyone
I have Westpac Singapore Airlines Kris Flyer Platinum AMEX and VISA cards. I know they are no longer available to new applicants. Do they still offer points for ATO payments and if so, how many points per dollar for AMEX and VISA.
Regards,
David
Hi David,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Just to confirm, as stated in the T&Cs, a Westpac Platinum credit card that earns Altitude points will let you collect 1 Altitude Points per $1.00 paid to the ATO using your Altitude American Express. Whilst no Altitude points will be earned using Visa or MasterCard for ATO payments.
For your reference, I have sent you an email that contains the link to the Westpac rewards T&Cs.
Cheers,
May
Hi guys
I was under the impression Westpac Altitude Black still pays out on ATO points? Any chance you can confirm this?
Many thanks for your hard work!
Hi Jason, thanks for your inquiry.
Yes, that is correct. You will earn 1.5 Altitude Points for each $1.00 paid to the ATO using
an Altitude Black American Express Card.
Cheers,
Sharon
Is 1 Altitude Black American Express Card point worth 1 QF or VA point when transferred to their F/F programmes?
Hi Aussieguy, thanks for your inquiry!
With Westpac Altitude Credit Card, the points you can transfer to Qantas or Velocity FF programs are the following:
1. For $1 spent on AMEX = 1 Qantas point; for $1 spent on Visa = 0.5 Qantas point
2. For 2 Altitude Points = 1 Velocity point
Please feel free to check the links that I’ve sent to your email for further information about transferring of your Altitude points to Qantas and Velocity FF programs.
I hope this is helpful.
Cheers,
May