A busy week for Northern Beaches business owners: the ATO is retiring credit card payments, card surcharges are gone, rates have moved again and the first 2026-27 deadlines are weeks away.
ATO to stop accepting credit cards after 30 November
On 1 October the ATO announced it will no longer accept credit card payments for tax debts after 30 November 2026. BPAY, direct debit from a bank account and payment plans remain available. If your payment plan debits a credit card, the ATO will write to you, and you will need to switch method before your first instalment due after 30 November.
Card surcharges are off from 1 October
Under new card network rules, businesses can no longer add a surcharge when customers pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express or eftpos, according to ACCC guidance updated on 2 October. Card costs now need to be built into your pricing, and displayed prices must be the total the customer pays. A disclosed discount for cash or PayID is still allowed, but relabelling a surcharge as a service fee is likely to be treated as misleading. Check your point of sale settings now.
Cash rate rises to 4.60 per cent
The Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.60 per cent on 29 September, citing higher global energy prices. If you carry variable rate debt or equipment finance, refresh your December quarter cash flow forecast.
Key dates: 28 October BAS and 31 October tax returns
The July to September BAS and PAYG instalment are due on 28 October, with an extra two weeks if you lodge through a registered agent. Sole traders and individuals lodging their own 2025-26 return must do so by 31 October. To use a tax agent for the first time, or switch agents, the ATO says you need to be on their client list before 31 October to access later lodgment dates.
Payday Super: check your first quarter
Super on wages paid since 1 July 2026 must reach the employee’s fund within 7 business days of payday, with up to 20 business days for a new employee’s first contribution. Late contributions attract the super guarantee charge, so reconcile what your payroll software has sent against what each fund has received.
Free AI workshops in Warriewood on 27 October
For NSW Small Business Month, Northern Beaches Council is running two free AI Made Simple for Small Business workshops at 2/4 Jacksons Road, Warriewood on Tuesday 27 October: AI for Marketing from 2.30pm and AI Tools for Small Business from 6pm. Places are limited to 45 eligible local businesses. Hundreds more Small Business Month events run statewide through October.
What this means for you
Most of these changes land within eight weeks, so set aside an hour to update your ATO payment method, review pricing and diarise 28 and 31 October. This is general information only. Book a call with our Dee Why team to talk through what applies to your business.
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