01/10/2026
⚠️ Another reason to review your business cash flow and short-term funding
The ATO has announced that credit card payments will no longer be accepted from 30 November.
While we don’t necessarily think funding ATO liabilities on a credit card has always been the best option, this is another change businesses need to factor into their cash flow planning.
Businesses are already adjusting to Payday Super, which has brought super payments forward and increased the frequency of cash leaving the business.
At the same time, ATO general interest charge (GIC) and shortfall interest charge (SIC) incurred from 1 July 2025 are no longer tax deductible — making the real cost of carrying ATO debt even higher.
For businesses that regularly rely on the ATO or credit cards to bridge short-term cash flow gaps, now is a good time to reconsider whether there is a better way to fund working capital.
That might include speaking with your bank or finance adviser about options such as an overdraft, working capital facility or debtor/invoice finance, depending on your circumstances.
The key is to plan before the cash flow pressure hits.
With the changes to super, ATO interest and now payment options, short-term financing should form part of your broader business and cash flow planning — rather than simply defaulting to ATO debt when funds are tight.
💚 If cash flow is becoming increasingly difficult to manage, speak with the HBG team. We can help you look at the numbers, forecast what’s coming and identify where funding pressure is likely to arise.
