吉姆·查尔默斯推迟了澳大利亚税务局备受争议的信用卡支付禁令，原定于11月生效。
Jim Chalmers has delayed the Australian Tax Office’s controversial ban on credit card payments from its November start date.
照片：达伦·英格兰/AAP 财政部长为税务局为期一年的过渡期预留资金，推迟了该禁令原定于11月30日生效的日期。针对税务账单支付实施信用卡禁令的争议性政策将被推迟六个月，同时政府宣布为澳大利亚税务局提供额外资金。
Photograph: Darren England/AAP Treasurer earmarks funds for year-long transition period for tax office, delaying ban’s 30 November start date A controversial credit card ban for payments on tax bills will be delayed by six months as extra funding is announced for the Australian Office.
财政部长吉姆·查尔默斯周五宣布，将向澳大利亚税务局追加资金，以将这项政策调整推迟至6月底。他在一份声明中表示：“这一决定旨在将小企业放在首位。”
Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced on Friday extra funding for the ATO to halt the change until the end of June. “This decision is about putting small business first,” he said in a statement.
此前，澳大利亚税务局计划从11月底起停止接受用于支付税务账单的信用卡付款，此举引发了小企业的批评，因此政府决定推翻原计划。
The backflip follows criticism from small businesses in response to the ATO’s plan which was to stop accepting credit card payments for tax bills from the end of November.
从2027年7月起，税务局仍将通过第三方渠道接受信用卡付款，同时也会接受借记卡转账和银行转账等其他免费或低费用的支付方式。
The tax office will continue to accept credit card payments via third parties as well as other free and low-fee payment methods like debit card and bank transfers from July 2027.
10月1日，税务专员罗布·赫费伦宣布，将从12月1日起停止接受用于支付税务账单的信用卡付款。他表示，继续接受信用卡付款将使税务局每年损失近2亿美元，因为这些成本无法再转嫁给持卡人。
On 1 October, the tax commissioner, Rob Heferen, announced moves to stop accepting credit card payments for tax bills from 1 December. He said continuing to accept card payments would cost the ATO almost $200m a year, as those costs can no longer be passed on to card users.
然而，一些企业主，尤其是规模较小的经营者，将信用卡支付作为一种现金流管理工具，在需要时通过信贷来应对负债。
But some business owners, particularly smaller operators, use credit card payments as a cashflow tool, managing their liabilities by using credit when required.
税务局表示，根据澳大利亚储备银行对信用卡支付征收的附加费规定，继续接受信用卡付款将使税务局每年损失近2亿美元。由于税务义务由联邦议会立法规定，税务局称无法将信用卡支付成本转嫁给纳税人。据估计，约有5%的小企业使用信用卡支付税务账单。
The tax office said continuing to accept card payments would cost the ATO almost $200m a year under the Reserve Bank’s ban surcharges for credit card payments Because tax liabilities are legislated by federal parliament, the ATO says it cannot build card payment costs into charges paid by taxpayers. Estimates suggest about 5% of small businesses use credit card payments for tax bills.
“小企业需要这项设施到位，”澳大利亚工商会负责人安德鲁·麦凯勒本周表示。“他们必须管理现金流。他们希望政府能提供一个清晰、一致的方法与解决方案。”更多细节即将公布……
“Small business needs this facility in place,” the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry boss, Andrew McKellar, said this week. “They’ve got to manage cash flow. What they are looking for is for one clear, consistent approach and solution from government.”More details soon…