Pay tax by credit card and earn bonus Qantas Points
You can pay your ATO tax bill by credit card and earn full card points plus B2B Points that convert 1:1 to Qantas Points by paying through B2Bpay. This guide covers your options, the fees, and how to get the most from tax you pay.
Can you pay the ATO by credit card?
Short answer: Yes. Today you can pay the ATO directly by Visa, Mastercard or Amex, or through B2Bpay. From 1 July 2027 the direct option ends, because the ATO has said that after 30 June 2027 you will no longer be able to use a credit card to pay it. Paying through B2Bpay continues, because the ATO receives a bank transfer.
Tax is one of the major expenses for most businesses, so it is worth getting the points and cash flow right. The catch with paying directly has always been that many card issuers award reduced or zero points on ATO payments, and from mid-2027 the option disappears altogether. Details are at ato.gov.au.
B2Bpay pays the ATO on your behalf by bank transfer using your payment reference number, so you fund the payment with your card and the ATO sees a normal payment against your account.
Does the ATO accept Amex?
Yes, until 30 June 2027 the ATO accepts American Express, Visa and Mastercard directly, and it currently charges no card fee. After that date none of them will be accepted directly.
Through B2Bpay, Amex works for the ATO today and after the change. You keep your full Membership Rewards points, which many Amex cards do not award in full on direct ATO payments. See pay with Amex.
What are the benefits of paying tax by credit card?
There are four main benefits: cash flow, points, a fee that is generally a business expense, and a tidy payment record.
Cash flow. The money does not leave your bank account straight away. You hold it through your card's interest-free period, up to 55 days depending on your card and statement cycle, and it costs nothing in interest if you pay the statement in full. It also helps you avoid ATO late payment interest when the cash is not there on the due date.
Reward points. Through B2Bpay you earn full card points on the ATO, plus B2B Points on the Earn plans. That is not possible when the payment comes straight out of your bank account.
Fee as a business expense. B2Bpay's platform fee is itemised on your tax statement and is generally deductible. Confirm with your accountant. Interest on an unpaid card balance generally is not deductible.
Credit history. Paying business bills by card and clearing the balance on time can support your business's credit profile.
What should you watch out for?
Two things: reduced points when paying directly, and interest if you do not clear the card.
Reduced or zero points paid directly. ATO and government bills, and often insurance, rates and utilities, are commonly categorised by card issuers to earn fewer or no points. You pay by card but do not get the full benefit. Paying through B2Bpay avoids this because the payment is to B2Bpay, a standard business purchase.
Fees. The ATO currently charges no card fee. B2Bpay charges a platform fee for the service, shown before you confirm and charged whichever way you pay. The RBA's ban on card surcharges from 1 October 2026 is about merchants adding a card-triggered charge; B2Bpay's fee is for the service itself. Our RBA guide explains the change (general information, not legal advice).
Interest. If you do not pay the card off by the due date, card interest applies on top of your tax and the fee. Some cards charge around 20% p.a. on overdue balances. Only use a card for tax if you will clear it.
How do you get the most points when paying the ATO?
Pay through B2Bpay on the Earn Max plan with a card that earns airline points at a strong everyday rate.
You earn twice: your card's full points, and 1 B2B Point per $1 (Earn Max) or per $2 (Earn Plus). B2B Points convert 1:1 to Qantas Points through Qantas Business Rewards, 1:1 to Velocity Points, 2:1 to Avios or 1:2.5 to Luxury Escapes Société Points.
Example. A business paying $240,000 a year in BAS, PAYG and other business expenses through B2Bpay on Earn Max earns 240,000 B2B Points, which is 240,000 Qantas Points, plus whatever its card earns on $240,000 of spend. Use the points calculator with your own figures, and see points maths.
How much does B2Bpay cost?
The only fee is a platform fee per payment, ex GST, depending on payment method and plan. No monthly fee is stated.
| Payment method | Essential No B2B Points | Earn Plus 1 B2B Point per $2 | Earn Max 1 B2B Point per $1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa / Mastercard | 1.10% | 2.10% | 2.50% |
| American Express | 2.10% | 3.40% | 3.85% |
| Bank account | 0.50% | 1.00% | 1.87% |
| PayTo | 0.60% | 1.10% | 1.97% |
Platform fees ex GST, as published at b2bpay.com.au. The exact fee is shown before you confirm each payment.
Amex Essential is tiered down to 1.90% above $1,000,000 a year. On a $240,000 annual ATO spend, Earn Max on Visa costs $6,000 ex GST for 240,000 B2B Points plus card points plus up to 55 days of cash flow on each payment. Full detail at pricing and what's included.
Get started
Paying tax by card offers real benefits for business owners who clear the card each month: points, cash flow and a fee that is generally a business expense.
- Sign up at points.b2bpay.com.au. There is no monthly fee stated; you pay a platform fee per payment.
- Add your payees - suppliers, the ATO, your landlord, utilities - or connect Xero, MYOB or QuickBooks so your bills load automatically.
- Pay by card, bank account or PayTo. Make one-off, bulk, scheduled or recurring payments.
- B2Bpay pays your payee by bank transfer (EFT) or BPAY, normally within 3 business days. You keep your full card points and earn B2B Points on the Earn Plus and Earn Max plans.
Add the ATO as a payee with your payment reference number and you are set for every BAS, PAYG and income tax payment, before and after 30 June 2027. Questions? Call 1300 205 575 or get started.
Frequently asked questions
Is the B2Bpay fee tax deductible?
B2Bpay's platform fee is a cost of running your business and is generally deductible. It is itemised on the tax statement you download from the portal. Deductibility depends on your circumstances, so confirm with your accountant. See platform fees, GST and tax deductions.
Which ATO payments can I make through B2Bpay?
Any ATO liability with a valid payment reference number that is a business expense: BAS, GST, PAYG withholding, PAYG instalments, company or income tax, FBT and other account balances. Use the PRN for the specific account so the ATO allocates it correctly.
Do I need Qantas Business Rewards to earn Qantas Points?
Yes. B2B Points convert to Qantas Points only into a Qantas Business Rewards account for your ABN. The join fee is waived through B2Bpay's link. If you prefer Velocity, Avios or Luxury Escapes Société Points, link that partner instead. Points convert 1:1 whichever partner you choose.
How quickly do points arrive?
B2B Points credit to your B2Bpay account 5 days after payment. Convert them to your partner when you like. Qantas Points earned via the Qantas pathway credit by the 14th of the following month. Your card's own points follow your card issuer's cycle.
What if I cannot pay the card off in full?
Then card interest will apply and may outweigh the points. In that case pay by bank account or PayTo through B2Bpay instead; you still earn B2B Points at a lower fee, without interest. Or talk to the ATO about a payment plan.
Start earning on the bills you already pay
Set up takes minutes. Pay your BAS, suppliers and rent by card and keep the cash for up to 55 days.