Politics · Australia · 1 hr ago
Australian government reversed support for ATO credit card payment plan
Australia’s government knew the tax office planned to stop accepting credit card payments for months.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino considered three options for the Australian Taxation Office after the Reserve Bank announced a merchant-fee ban.
The Reserve Bank announcement came on March 31, with the ban due to start on October 1.
The government initially backed the plan before facing backlash from small businesses.
It then reversed its position.
The sources give no details about what happens next or which option the tax office will follow.
The Albanese government backed an ATO plan to stop accepting credit card payments before reversing its position after a backlash from small businesses.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino considered three options for the ATO.
The ATO’s plan followed a Reserve Bank of Australia announcement about banning merchant fees from October 1.
The government had known for months that the ATO was preparing to stop taking credit card payments.
- Who
- The Albanese government, the ATO, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino.
- What
- The government reversed its support for an ATO plan to stop accepting credit card payments.
- When
- The Reserve Bank announcement was made on March 31; the government’s reversal date is not stated.
- Where
- Australia.
- Why
- The government reversed course in response to a backlash from small businesses.
The Albanese government and ATO
Small businesses
Credit card payments
The Albanese government and ATO
The government backed the ATO plan to stop accepting credit card payments.
Small businesses
Small businesses objected to the plan, prompting a backlash.
The Reserve Bank of Australia announced it would ban merchant fees from October 1.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino explored three options for the ATO on credit card payments.
The government knew the ATO was preparing to stop accepting credit card payments and backed the decision.
The government reversed its support for the decision.
- Options considered
- Three
- RBA announcement
- March 31
- Merchant-fee ban
- Scheduled to begin October 1
- Officials
- Jim Chalmers and Daniel Mulino