{
  "id": 12997644,
  "title": "Jim Chalmers overrules ATO’s controversial ban on credit card payments following business outcry",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/jim-chalmers-overrules-atos-controversial-ban-on-credit-card-payments",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-09T00:45:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian Australia",
    "slug": "the-guardian-australia",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/09/chalmers-delays-controversial-credit-card-ban-business-tax"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The federal government has delayed a controversial ban on credit card payments for tax bills, following widespread criticism and calls from small businesses. Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced extra funding for a year-long transition period, delaying the ban's start date from November 30 to July 2027. The Australian Tax Office (ATO) will continue to accept credit card payments through third-party providers and other low-cost payment methods such as debit cards and bank transfers. The decision was made after the ATO calculated that continuing to accept card payments would cost them almost $200m annually, as these costs cannot be passed on to taxpayers. Small businesses, particularly smaller operators, often rely on credit card payments as a cash flow tool, with estimates suggesting that about 5% of small businesses use this method for tax bills. The government intervened amid strong criticism from the opposition and business lobby groups, expressing recognition of the significant contribution small businesses make to the economy.",
  "summary": "Treasurer earmarks funds for year-long transition period for tax office, delaying ban’s 30 November start date 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. Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced on Friday extra funding on Friday, after days of criticism and calls…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian",
        "title": "Jim Chalmers delays ATO’s controversial ban on credit card payments following business outcry",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/jim-chalmers-delays-atos-controversial-ban-on-credit-card-payments",
        "published": "2026-10-09T00:45:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Breaking: ATO credit card ban delay as government backs down after business backlash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/breaking-ato-credit-card-ban-delay-as-government-backs-down-after",
        "published": "2026-10-09T00:59:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}