PM intervened to delay ATO's credit card payment ban

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 06:04 · Archive

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he personally intervened to delay the Australian Taxation Office's decision to refuse credit card payments.

The Australian Taxation Office announced it would refuse credit card payments from businesses in response to a new surcharge ban that came into effect this month. The surcharge ban means businesses must absorb credit card processing costs or raise prices. Small businesses complained they had insufficient time to prepare, triggering widespread backlash.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he intervened after ACCI boss Andrew McKellar contacted him directly. On Friday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the government would ask the ATO to delay the ban and provide transitional funding so the tax office could continue accepting credit cards until the end of the financial year. 'Australian small businesses have said the ATO's announced timeframe was inadequate and we have taken these concerns seriously and acted on them,' Dr Chalmers said.

Both the Prime Minister and Treasurer appear to be claiming credit for the decision. The Opposition described the reversal as an embarrassing backflip, suggesting the PM had forced the Treasurer's hand.

How it is being reported

• PM says he fixed the ATO credit card issue, but Treasurer says he wasn’t rolledAnthony Albanese says he saved the business sector from the ATO’s credit card decision, but Jim Chalmers insists he is the real hero. It seems the Prime Minister and the Treasurer both want to take credit for dragging the Federal Government to a position the small business community found more palatable after the tax office […]Riotact · 14 Oct, 05:50
• Live: PM confirms he intervened to delay ATO credit card banAnthony 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.ABC Australian Capital Territory · 13 Oct, 21:01

In this story: Anthony Albanese · Jim Chalmers · Australian Taxation Office · ACCI · Andrew McKellar

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