Finance and tax

Bank fees and merchant charges

Transaction, account and payment-processing fees incurred through business banking or merchant facilities.

Who can claim

This deduction is available to individuals and companies.

  • The expense is incurred in carrying on an existing income-producing business.
  • Any private, capital or non-income-producing component is reasonably apportioned or excluded.
  • The account or payment facility is used for business transactions.

What you cannot claim

  • Do not include private drawings or personal expenses.
  • Do not treat a capital asset, improvement or acquisition cost as an ordinary operating expense.
  • Private account charges are excluded.
  • Interest and borrowing costs have separate rules.

How the amount is worked out

Claim the deductible business-use portion of the fees.

Records the ATO expects

  • Bank statements
  • Merchant provider reports
  • Apportionment for mixed accounts

Where this rule comes from

Primary source: ATO business income and deductions (Updated 1 June 2023). Reviewed 30 July 2026. Covers the 2025-26 and 2026-27 income years.

Next steps