ATO (tax office) payments by credit card

[coles525]

I just rang the ATO.

13 28 61: 8am-6pm weekdays!

The official answer is yes, cc fees are permitted to be claimed! As long as it's for your personal tax payments.

Individuals are permitted to claim on their tax!

 

[coles525]

I just rang the ATO.

13 28 61: 8am-6pm weekdays!

The official answer is yes, cc fees are permitted to be claimed! As long as it's for your personal tax payments.

Individuals are permitted to claim on their tax!

"As long as you're paying for your own personnal tax, records; any fees associated with claims of deductions"

 

[lovetravellingoz]

"As long as you're paying for your own personnal tax, records; any fees associated with claims of deductions"

Interesting as it used to be that you could claim expenses but cc expenses were specifically excluded for individuals tax.

It used to state this on the ATO website.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I just rang the ATO.

13 28 61: 8am-6pm weekdays!

The official answer is yes, cc fees are permitted to be claimed! As long as it's for your personal tax payments.

Individuals are permitted to claim on their tax!

I wouldn't believe anything the tax office told me over the phone.

Get it in writing or talk to your accountant.

 

[cove]

When an ATO officer phoned my office my staff did hang up on him. I don’t think his Indian accent helped his call. They were matching our joint ABN with lodgement of tax returns.
Meanwhile I have completed paying our share of November BAS and we have received a pile of quarterlies that are due for payment on February 28th.
Yes this tax thing is the most significant payment that I put on credit cards each year.
Next biggest is discounted Wish gift cards on Amex Platinum Edge.
We did each buy one air ticket for the year so that expense is near the bottom of what we spend on credit cards.

 

[Aus ATC]

I'm new to this game and looking for best points value for paying my daughter's HECS debt (call it $30k).

Direct payments (or BPay) to the ATO via AMEX (Explorer) and most of my Visa/Mastercards earns little to no points - the only one that seems to allow government payments is ANZ and the earn rate is not fantastic. Also at this time I am looking for KF miles rather than QF points.

After reading the most recent 10 pages or so, it seems Easy Bill Pay might be the solution, so have signed up there. It should also be handy for rent payments (0.8% vs a surcharge of 1.4% charged by the rental agency). Funding via St George (Amplify points to be converted to KF)

A few questions:
1. Will EBP be treated as a purchase by St George? The Amplify terms and conditions could be interpreted as treating this as a cash advance.

2. When bills are paid by EBP, does the merchant impose an additional CC fee - or is it generally processed as a non-credit funds transfer?

3. Is there a better alternative?

TIA

 

[cove]

Dragon is number one.
World is number two.
Amex Platinum Edge is only good for retailers like Woolies,Coles and gift cards from Woolies. Forget ATO on Edge unless you want really expensive points thru a third party processor. Direct will get you points at 2.9 cents each as the earn is half a point per dollar.
Overseas cards have been surcharged out of the game.

 

[Scr77]

I'm new to this game and looking for best points value for paying my daughter's HECS debt (call it $30k).

Direct payments (or BPay) to the ATO via AMEX (Explorer) and most of my Visa/Mastercards earns little to no points - the only one that seems to allow government payments is ANZ and the earn rate is not fantastic. Also at this time I am looking for KF miles rather than QF points.

After reading the most recent 10 pages or so, it seems Easy Bill Pay might be the solution, so have signed up there. It should also be handy for rent payments (0.8% vs a surcharge of 1.4% charged by the rental agency). Funding via St George (Amplify points to be converted to KF)

A few questions:
1. Will EBP be treated as a purchase by St George? The Amplify terms and conditions could be interpreted as treating this as a cash advance.

2. When bills are paid by EBP, does the merchant impose an additional CC fee - or is it generally processed as a non-credit funds transfer?

3. Is there a better alternative?

TIA

EBP will work and cost 0.8%. No extra fees or charges. Will be treated like a purchase. Start small and build your confidence and understanding.

 

[coriander]

ATO direct via dragon is 0.78%

 

[Kramerica]

Overseas cards have been surcharged out of the game.

I do wonder about using my US-issued Amex, the ATO website doesn't list a separate fee for foreign Amex cards.

Or even a US-issued Visa with a good earn rate via EBP.

 

[33kft]

Why would using a US card be favourable, though? On top of the surcharges you'd have FX charges surely? Not to mention that right now especially, timing would be everything as you load EBP up with deposits only to find unfavourable FX movements adding extra expense (or not, but I prefer to do my gambling at the casino).

 

[Kramerica]

None of my US-issued cards have foreign transaction fees, but you're right, it's the exchange rate that makes it risky.

 

[33kft]

I'd say there's a fee there somewhere (such as in the rate mark ups or annual fees) but I fully understand that generally it's insignificant when compared to the 2-3% FX fees. But even if it wasn't the case there would be no reason to use a US card, since there are 2 options locally that will still earn full points and won't introduce currency-related risk. If those avenues dry up (and it is only a matter of time, sadly) then I suspect there will be a lot of interest in the cards you have and how they might be obtained through various methods.

All we can hope is that abuse of those existing vehicles is not too significant so as to have them taken from us early. It is the case that if they were used for the purpose of settling ATO invoices whilst earning points there would likely be no issue - it's the abuse for the purpose of manufacturing spend that will be their downfall.

 

[albyd]

I’m starting to look at the US Amex route as a contingency. Does anyone have experience with the FX aspect?

My Citi US is quite good and very close but I’ve not been able to use it for some time given the extra charge for foreign cards.

Like 33kft mentions, there are currently some viable alternatives which should keep this as an option for some time yet (we hope). Just starting to plan ahead for contingency.

 

[cove]

I only used my US Amex once as the exchange rate was no good. With Citi AA I did that and sometimes won a few points back on the exchange by being patient over the weeks between paying the ATO and paying the CC to zero. It is off now as the fee to process a foreign visa is too high. There is too much risk to get a gain of say 1% or more on exchange rate movements as it can easily go against you. If you lost 1% on the exchange rate you would feel pretty stupid for trying.

 

[cove]

Have been deluged with bills from the fiscal fiend for February payment. I started with some due on January 21st on the weekend despite being jetlagged.

 

[FromTheRail]

Dragon is number one.
World is number two.
Amex Platinum Edge is only good for retailers like Woolies,Coles and gift cards from Woolies. Forget ATO on Edge unless you want really expensive points thru a third party processor. Direct will get you points at 2.9 cents each as the earn is half a point per dollar.
Overseas cards have been surcharged out of the game.

Can you pm me the world card, can't figure it out

 

[ferni]

Anyone who's looking for a EBP alternative (or reward pay competitor) that takes Amex (@ 1.95% fee) I have a solution....

 

[lilkid28]

Anyone who's looking for a EBP alternative (or reward pay competitor) that takes Amex (@ 1.95% fee) I have a solution....

Care to share via PM? Thank you.

 

[daft009]

Anyone who's looking for a EBP alternative (or reward pay competitor) that takes Amex (@ 1.95% fee) I have a solution....

Yes please. Please pm!