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 selection 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 Money Editor, with over seven years of experience in home loans, property 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 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 Graduate Certificate in Communications from Deakin University. See full bio
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What about payments to OSR NSW? What about St George Bank?
Finder
YsaMay 5, 2016Finder
Hi nfw,
We have confirmed with St.George Bank that you would not be able to accrue points for government charges.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Ysa
EbonyApril 13, 2016
Hi there
Found this article after being very disappointed that my bank (anz) took the points away from tax payments. It seems all the banks are doing it? Can you confirm if there are any out there with visa and Amex options that do allow tax payments? I am reluctant to change if there just going to all cut it soon anyway.
Thanks
Finder
SharonApril 18, 2016Finder
Hi Ebony,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Unfortunately, most of the 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.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Sharon
RodFebruary 21, 2016
The “who lets me earn points on my credit card when I pay my tax ?” question on your site has this info listed below….
Westpac Altitude – 0.5 Qantas Points per $1.00 paid to the ATO
Does this mean that the Westpac Black Altitude Mastercard still gives you uncapped reward points at a ratio of 0.5 Qantas points per $1.00 paid to the ATO with no cap on expenditure as well ?
Finder
JonathanFebruary 22, 2016Finder
Hi Rod, thanks for your inquiry!
As per the Altitude Rewards terms and conditions you will earn “1.5 Altitude Points for each $1.00 paid to the ATO using your Altitude Black American Express Card.”
Cheers,
Jonathan
RobynApril 12, 2016
Today, April 12th I have been telephoning all the banks listed on your pages and I haven’t found one that now allows you to pay the ATO (American Express Cards still allow this but the ATO has too high a charge for me on this card)
Macquarie Bank will allow payments until June 2016 .
I’m not sure if my understanding is correct, can you anyway help me, please?
I wish to make a payment to the ATO and hopefully earn some Frequent Flyer Points at the same time .
Thank you.
Finder
SharonApril 13, 2016Finder
Hi Robyn,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Unfortunately, most of the 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.
I hope this has helped.
Sharon
RodFebruary 23, 2016
Thanks Jonathan for getting back to me.
I question was more towards, does it apply to the MasterCard.
If not, then is there a Visa or MasterCard out there that accrues uncapped points (that can be linked to Qantas)for payments to the ATO ?
Finder
JonathanFebruary 24, 2016Finder
Hi Rod, thanks for your response!
Unfortunately MasterCard’s do not earn any points with payments to the ATO: “No Altitude Points for payments to the ATO using your Altitude Visa or
MasterCard.” At this point of time only American Express credit cards can earn points for payments to the ATO.
Cheers,
Jonathan
AnnaDecember 26, 2015
Hi,
Are there any MasterCard or Visa cards that can be used to make ATO payments? I’d like to avoid the hefty 1.5% ATO fee for Amex, which is only 0.42% for Visa and MasterCard.
Many thanks, Anna
Finder
SallyDecember 29, 2015Finder
Hi Anna,
Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, most 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.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
CengizNovember 27, 2015
Any advise on which VISA or MASTERCARD, still reward points for paying your BAS statements ?? I can’t find one anymore
Finder
AllyNovember 27, 2015Finder
Hi Cengiz,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Generally, American Express credit cards can earn points for ATO payments. Whilst a number of banks are removing this feature from their cards, Westpac still allows this type of transaction.
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What about payments to OSR NSW? What about St George Bank?
Hi nfw,
We have confirmed with St.George Bank that you would not be able to accrue points for government charges.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Ysa
Hi there
Found this article after being very disappointed that my bank (anz) took the points away from tax payments. It seems all the banks are doing it? Can you confirm if there are any out there with visa and Amex options that do allow tax payments? I am reluctant to change if there just going to all cut it soon anyway.
Thanks
Hi Ebony,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Unfortunately, most of the 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.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Sharon
The “who lets me earn points on my credit card when I pay my tax ?” question on your site has this info listed below….
Westpac Altitude – 0.5 Qantas Points per $1.00 paid to the ATO
Does this mean that the Westpac Black Altitude Mastercard still gives you uncapped reward points at a ratio of 0.5 Qantas points per $1.00 paid to the ATO with no cap on expenditure as well ?
Hi Rod, thanks for your inquiry!
As per the Altitude Rewards terms and conditions you will earn “1.5 Altitude Points for each $1.00 paid to the ATO using your Altitude Black American Express Card.”
Cheers,
Jonathan
Today, April 12th I have been telephoning all the banks listed on your pages and I haven’t found one that now allows you to pay the ATO (American Express Cards still allow this but the ATO has too high a charge for me on this card)
Macquarie Bank will allow payments until June 2016 .
I’m not sure if my understanding is correct, can you anyway help me, please?
I wish to make a payment to the ATO and hopefully earn some Frequent Flyer Points at the same time .
Thank you.
Hi Robyn,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Unfortunately, most of the 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.
I hope this has helped.
Sharon
Thanks Jonathan for getting back to me.
I question was more towards, does it apply to the MasterCard.
If not, then is there a Visa or MasterCard out there that accrues uncapped points (that can be linked to Qantas)for payments to the ATO ?
Hi Rod, thanks for your response!
Unfortunately MasterCard’s do not earn any points with payments to the ATO: “No Altitude Points for payments to the ATO using your Altitude Visa or
MasterCard.” At this point of time only American Express credit cards can earn points for payments to the ATO.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi,
Are there any MasterCard or Visa cards that can be used to make ATO payments? I’d like to avoid the hefty 1.5% ATO fee for Amex, which is only 0.42% for Visa and MasterCard.
Many thanks, Anna
Hi Anna,
Thanks for your question. Unfortunately, most 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.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
Any advise on which VISA or MASTERCARD, still reward points for paying your BAS statements ?? I can’t find one anymore
Hi Cengiz,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Generally, American Express credit cards can earn points for ATO payments. Whilst a number of banks are removing this feature from their cards, Westpac still allows this type of transaction.
Cheers,