ATO (tax office) payments by credit card

I think Chase CCs might work too.
I did Amex US by working off my Australian Amex Ultimate as I have been a member since 1979. I dealt with Amex in the US in Utah I think.
 
Yeah Amex US is easy one as they do transfers but 1.45% surcharge of course. Are you registered with IRS? Do you ever have an issue with the US tax purposes that pops up on CC applications in AU?
 
No we just declare our US interest income in Australia as it is modest. The interest rates in the US are awfully low.
Yes the US Amex is no good for paying ATO unless you are desperate.
My US Amex earns additional Kris Miles in bonuses at various retail shops and eateries.
 
alexy23, I have the Citi ThankYou Premier card - has a flexible rewards program that suited my needs. Everyone's needs will differ. Took some doing as I don't have a Social Security Number. A nice way of earning some points on spend Aussie cards no longer pay on and without putting through lots of small payments. I use it for other spend too esp for overseas spend since get a fair FX rate & no currency conversion fee.
You highlighted FX risk in post #6711. Citi FX is pretty close to spot (I check against live quote) though, the rate can change from when it's "pending" to when it posts. My results are acceptable though not as impressive as Cove's as I tend to buy my USD pretty much straight away to eliminate currency risk. If you get the currency right, might even make a profit from it. Not a strategy for most people.
 
Last edited:
Vic Payroll tax. Is Citi any good for this? Haven't had to pay any for a couple of years.
 
Hello Duffa I have 3 sets of payroll tax each month that go on credit cards. My Citi Prestige has been ok for this. So far all they stopped was ATO. I do try hard to give Citi some profitable business each month. The earn rate at Citi has reduced but it is still ok. I must check to see if WA and SA payroll tax offices are taking a credit card now.
 
cove, albyd, anyone else who's done this: How easy or hard was this? Did you have to demonstrate US residency?

I've looked at some Amex, Chase and Citi cards in the US, all of which would suit my needs. I'm an Amex customer here (so I could try their Global Card Transfer) and have the Citibank Plus transaction account with no forex fees. None of the institutions I've talked to, even when they have local presence and I've opened an account, will open a transaction account remotely, so I need to get there first, which is annoying because my next planned US trip will be with the family and I wanted this all ready to go before then. I have cash in the US in a brokerage account, but I can't get it out fee-free without a US-based transaction account, and I assume I'd need the same to qualify for a US credit card (and pay it).
 
I did a blog on AFF on this struggle to get credit but I was helped by having a Social Security Number (Not valid for employment) typed on it. We do have a home in the US and a check account in a branch located in our local supermarket.
 
Twiningb, I don't have a SSN so Citi let me open an 'international' account. Needed to open a checking account in person at a US branch then could apply for a limited list of cards especially for this program after 6 months.
Haven't been able to get a credit limit increase as I don't have a SSN and therefore credit score. Generally, US limits aren't as generous as we've experienced in Australia until you get established with a lender so that may be an issue to consider.
HSBC is the only bank where you can open an account remotely if you're a Premier client but all their US cards do have currency conversion fees.
 
Setting up a US bank account is easy (if you are physically present). Bring your ID, Drivers Licence to Chase bank and they'll do it on the spot - you can even get your debit card there. Then you could transfer over your AMEX to start earning a credit score (I assume).

Stripe Atlas let's you setup an LLC with a Business Bank Account all online. It's private beta at the moment - but would be promising once it's live. My only concern is that AMEX wouldn't honour the bank account as it's under an LLC name - but who knows, I am trying to transferring from an AU business card after all ;)

I had a Chase bank when I was there 5 years ago, but since then new KYC (know your customer) reforms came in and they closed my account due to inactivity. They won't even speak to me anymore unless I visit a branch first.

HSBC as mentioned is a possibility - but from my experience they will want a visa or US passport.
 
You must avoid CCs with currency conversion fees. Citi has been great but you may flinch at the $450 US annual fee. We have two so neither of us have to buy air tickets for AA if we plan ahead. We both received a 100,000 AA miles sign on but that has dropped to 60,000 I think.
 
I wonder whether or not becoming a Citi Gold might help - you only need to have $250k in an account to qualify for it. Similar to HSBC Premier. At least this way you have a bank account with Citi US and would have more chance moving up into Citi CC.
 
Alexy23 when I inquired, with Citigold in Australia weren't very receptive to helping me even though I was prepared to give them the $250k (probably not forever) so I didn't proceed any further with them as I don't need a financial planner.
 
Thanks all for your input. I actually have an SSN due to having studied in the US many years ago, although I no longer have the certificate for it. I've tried Citi's and HSBC's private services but the former quickly replied they've "suspended" the remote account opening and the latter made me wait months and conducted an extensive phone interview, then declined with inadequate explanation.
I expect to be able to open an account in person but it will be several days into a family trip before I can get to a branch, and then a wait of at best (even if AmEx Global Card Transfer works) several days before I can get a card. Since I hoped to spend US-based funds to pay for the trip and avoid round-trip currency loss, this is frustrating.
 
The US cards I have in mind, primarily with AmEx, are mostly free of forex cost, but since I'd mostly use them for US spend that's less crucial.
 
True but at least you'll have it for next time :) I can tell you there's no way around it, I'm trying the LLC route now. It'd cost $500 US to setup a LLC and business bank account. Will post in about how AMEX respond to this being a business account. Any idea on getting a US mailing address?
 
Last edited:
I have friends there who'll happily receive my mail if need be. Establishing specific domicile with utility bills and the like would be harder.
 
I feel like we should branch this discussion into a new thread. So much more to be discussed but we are O/T now.
 

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.

Recent Posts

Currently Active Users

Total: 196 (members: 10, guests: 186)
Back
Top