Is paying the ATO by credit card worth it?

It can be if the points you earn are worth more than the card payment fee, or if the interest-free days help you manage a large bill. Run the numbers on the fee and your card's earn rate first.

Credit cards for ATO payments

Want to earn points on your tax bill? Compare credit cards for ATO payments that earn rewards points when you pay the Australian Tax Office.

Earn rewards points on tax payments
Interest-free days help manage large bills
Pair with a sign-up bonus offer

Written by Vidhu BajajReviewed by Nilooka Dissanayake and David Boyd

Featured

American Express Platinum Business Card

6 reviews

350,000 bonus Membership Rewards points
Complimentary international travel insurance

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How many points could you earn paying the ATO?

Enter your monthly ATO/tax payment to see estimated annual points for each card below.

Compare 20 ATO payments credit cards

Credit card comparison table with rates, fees, rewards and apply links.
Name and rating	Rewards program	ATO earn rate	Sign-up bonus	Annual fee	Est. points / yr
American Express Platinum Card 16 reviews	American Express Membership Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	200,000 pts	$1,450	24,000 ptsWorth $240	60 second approval
American Express Platinum Business Card 6 reviews	American Express Membership Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	350,000 pts	$1,750	24,000 ptsWorth $240	60 second approval
American Express Explorer Credit Card 5 reviews	American Express Membership Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	75,000 pts	$395	24,000 ptsWorth $240	60 second approval
St.George Amplify Business Credit Card	Amplify Rewards	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	—	$0	12,000 ptsWorth $120	60 second approval
BankSA Amplify Business Credit Card	Amplify Rewards	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	—	$0	12,000 ptsWorth $120	60 second approval
Bank of Melbourne Amplify Business Credit Card	Amplify Rewards	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	—	$0	12,000 ptsWorth $120	60 second approval
American Express Business Gold Plus Card 2 reviews	American Express Membership Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	200,000 pts	$395	24,000 ptsWorth $240	60 second approval
American Express Velocity Business Card	Velocity Frequent Flyer	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	150,000 pts	$249	12,000 ptsWorth $120	60 second approval
Qantas American Express Discovery Card 7 reviews	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	—	$0	12,000 ptsWorth $144	60 second approval
American Express Velocity Escape Plus Card 1 review	Velocity Frequent Flyer	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	30,000 pts	$95	12,000 ptsWorth $120	60 second approval
American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card	Qantas Business Rewards	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	150,000 pts	$450	12,000 ptsWorth $144	60 second approval
American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card	American Express Membership Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	30,000 pts	$108	24,000 ptsWorth $240	60 second approval
CommBank Business Awards Credit Card 4 reviews	CommBank Awards Program	1 pt per $1Capped	—	$100	24,000 ptsWorth $144	60 second approval
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card 2 reviews	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	50,000 pts	$450	12,000 ptsWorth $144	60 second approval
NAB Qantas Business Signature Card	Qantas Business Rewards	0.66 pts per $1Capped	150,000 pts	$295	15,840 ptsWorth $190	60 second approval
Westpac Altitude Business Platinum Credit Card	Westpac Altitude Rewards	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	—	$200	12,000 ptsWorth $120	60 second approval
American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card 18 reviews	American Express Membership Rewards	1 pt per $1Uncapped	—	$0	24,000 ptsWorth $240	60 second approval
Qantas American Express Premium Card 3 reviews	Qantas Frequent Flyer	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	20,000 pts	$249	12,000 ptsWorth $144	60 second approval
American Express Velocity Platinum Card 8 reviews	Velocity Frequent Flyer	0.5 pts per $1Uncapped	50,000 pts	$440	12,000 ptsWorth $120	60 second approval
CommBank Business Platinum Awards Credit Card 13 reviews	CommBank Awards Program	1 pt per $1Capped	—	$300	24,000 ptsWorth $144	60 second approval

ATO payments by the numbers

Cards compared

1 pt per $1

Top ATO earn rate

121,250 pts

Average sign-up bonus

$3,500

Highest-value sign-up bonus

American Express Platinum Business Card

$346

Average annual fee

Paying the ATO with a credit card

Plenty of people and businesses need to pay the Australian Tax Office, and the ATO accepts card payments for a fee. The right rewards card can earn points on that spending, though many cards earn at a lower rate on government transactions.

Before you pay, compare the card payment fee against the value of the points you'd earn. If the fee outweighs the points, paying by card costs you money. If you're chasing points more broadly, compare rewards cards and frequent flyer cards too.

ATO payments credit card FAQs

Yes, but it depends on the card. Some rewards cards earn points on ATO payments, often at a reduced rate, and the ATO charges a card payment fee. Always weigh the points earned against that fee.

Questions and answers

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Related card types

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Sources

Credit Card Compare: Australian credit card statistics
Government: Pay tax by card (Australian Taxation Office)