Government under pressure to intervene over ATO credit card ban

What it is about

Who published it, and when

How it spread - 16 original reports, 2 reprints

1. Thu, 8 October 2026

   3 reports
   • ABC News (Australia)02:19
     Government under pressure to intervene over ATO credit card ban

     The federal government is facing growing pressure over the Australian Taxation Office's decision to stop accepting credit card payments for tax bills.

   • accountantsdaily.com.au07:04
     ‘It hurts’: ATO credit card ban another hit to small business

     Small businesses have taken multiple hits in the recent past, and the ATO’s credit card ban only adds to the pain, according to an accountant.

   • theconversation.com10:30first to report
     Some small businesses are paying tax bills with credit cards. What will happen when they can’t?

     A looming ban on using credit cards to pay tax bills will mean one less option for juggling tight cash flow. But the government is under pressure to intervene.

2. Fri, 9 October 2026

   7 reports
   • smh.com.au00:26edited after publishing
     Caucus dismay as economists issue inflation warning on surcharge ban

     previouslyChalmers steps in: ATO credit card ban delayed after business uproar

     As the treasurer steps in to delay the tax office’s credit card ban, his colleagues are alarmed by the backlash over the surcharge ban they championed.

   • The Guardian World00:45
     Jim Chalmers overrules ATO’s controversial ban on credit card payments following business outcry

     Treasurer earmarks funds for year-long transition period for tax office, delaying ban’s 30 November start date Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast A controversial ban on credit card payments on tax bills will be delayed by more than six months, after the federal government overruled the tax office and announced new stopgap funding. The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, announced extra funding on Friday, after days of criticism and calls from small business to halt the ban. Sign...

   • ABC News (Australia)00:59edited after publishing
     ATO delays credit card ban as government backs down after business backlash

     previouslyATO credit card ban delay as government backs down after business backlash

     The federal government will temporarily cover credit card surcharges after businesses warn that losing the payment option will put them under pressure.

   • hepburnadvocate.com.au04:52
     Treasurer swipes left on tax office credit card ban

     Businesses owners will continue to be able to use their credit cards to pay the tax office until...

     1 reprint

     • armidaleexpress.com.au9 Oct, 04:52their copy
   • abc.net.au05:02
     Opposition calls on Labor to scrap, not delay, ATO credit card ban - ABC listen

     Opposition leader Angus Taylor has called on Labor to scrap, not delay, the tax office's ban on credit card payments. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced the government will provide the Australian tax office with transitional funding so it can keep accepting credit card payments until the end of June 2027. The United States' first execution by a military firing squad since World War II will be live-streamed, the Pentagon has said. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the execution of Nidal...

   • abc.net.au06:00
     Tax office credit card ban delayed - ABC listen

     The federal government has stepped in to delay a plan by the tax office to remove the option to pay a tax bill on a credit card.

   • ABC News (Australia)18:00
     Labor's surcharge headache exposes a government on the back foot

     After furious backlash from small businesses, the electorate and some of his own colleagues, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has rapidly reversed two major government decisions. But is it enough?

3. Tue, 13 October 2026

   1 report
   • ABC News (Australia)20:01
     Live: PM and Treasurer both claim credit for delay to ATO credit card ban

     Anthony Albanese reveals he had personally intervened ahead of the tax office's decision to delay a credit card ban after a plea from a peak business lobby. Follow live.

4. Wed, 14 October 2026

   1 report
   • The Guardian World01:14
     Chalmers denies Albanese overruled him on ATO credit card ban after PM says ‘I will get it done’

     Treasurer’s comments come after prime minister revealed he intervened to delay a controversial ban on such payments to the tax office Follow our Australian politics live blog for latest updates Get our new political email , free app or daily news podcast Jim Chalmers has denied being rolled by Anthony Albanese after the prime minister personally intervened to stop a tax office ban on credit card payments a day before stopgap funding was announced. After sustained criticism of the government’s...

5. Fri, 16 October 2026

   1 report
   • abc.net.au20:00
     Is the government losing the trust of small business? - ABC listen

     After prompting an intervention from the Prime Minister over the ATO's controversial credit card ban, ACCI chief executive Andrew McKellar unpacks the fallout and the government's impending trust tax changes.

6. Sat, 17 October 2026

   2 reports
   • smh.com.au18:00
     Backlash: Why the ATO’s credit card ban missed the mark

     Australia’s small business sector found itself unwittingly strapped into a rollercoaster.

   • ABC News (Australia)23:58
     Assistant treasurer knew about ATO's credit card ban plans months ago

     Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino concedes the government knew the Australian Taxation Office was considering banning credit card payments in July, months before the decision was made public.

7. Sun, 18 October 2026

   1 report
   • southernhighlandnews.com.au04:21
     'Can't be repeated': revolt over card ban blackout

     Federal ministers knew for months the tax office was considering no longer accepting credit card payments when a...

     1 reprint

     • blayneychronicle.com.au18 Oct, 04:21their copy