{
  "id": 12999110,
  "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",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-09T00:59:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-09/credit-card-ban-ato-tax-small-business/107246990"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has delayed the implementation of its credit card ban until the end of the financial year, following pressure from businesses. Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced that the government will cover the cost of this delay, which was estimated at $200 million per year. The ATO had planned to stop accepting credit card payments for tax bills starting December, in response to the Reserve Bank of Australia's ban on credit card surcharges. The move sparked widespread criticism from small businesses, with several Albanese government ministers voicing concerns about the impact on their operations. Following the backlash, the government decided to provide a transition period until June 30, allowing the ATO to consult with businesses and implement the ban more effectively.",
  "summary": "The federal government will temporarily cover credit card surcharges after businesses warned that losing the payment option would put them under pressure.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "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"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}