Recommended Free Tools
If your Australian business cannot pay an ATO debt in full, you can request a payment plan rather than simply missing the due date. For debts of $200,000 or less, the usual self-service route is Online services for business → Accounts and payments → Payment plans. You can also ask a registered tax or BAS agent to arrange it, or use the ATO’s automated business phone service. If the debt is more than $200,000, call the ATO to discuss available options.
Have the business ABN or TFN, the complete outstanding-balance details, and a realistic cash-flow proposal ready. A payment plan is not automatic approval: the ATO can assess your circumstances, interest continues on the unpaid balance, and you must keep lodging and paying new obligations.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What to do first
Do not wait for a payment-plan application before dealing with the underlying tax obligations. The ATO expects returns and activity statements to be lodged by their due dates even when payment is difficult. An unlodged activity statement can make the balance uncertain and delay a workable arrangement.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Check every outstanding liability. Review the business account for income tax, activity-statement amounts, goods and services tax, pay as you go withholding, employee superannuation-related liabilities and any penalties or interest already posted. Confirm that the balance includes all lodged periods.
- Lodge anything overdue. If a return or activity statement is missing, lodge it or speak with your agent. Contacting the ATO before the payment due date gives it more opportunity to discuss options while the problem is manageable.
- Separate an old debt from upcoming bills. A plan for an existing balance does not defer future activity-statement, withholding or income-tax obligations unless the ATO separately agrees to do so.
- Decide who will deal with the ATO. The owner can use Online services for business, or a registered tax or BAS agent can act for the business. Make sure the person applying is authorised to access the account.
Which payment-plan route fits your debt?
The amount owed and your access to online services determine the practical starting point. None of these routes guarantees that the ATO will accept the proposed terms.
#1 Best Overall
- Compact & Portable Design: This Small Excel, Word, PowerPoint, & Windows Cheat Sheet Mouse Pad measures 11.8" x 9.8", offering a portable mouse pad. Its compact size fits in bags or laptop cases, suitable for professionals, students, or travelers.
- Multi-Software Shortcut Guide: Featuring essential shortcut keys for Excel, Word, PowerPoint, & Windows, this small mouse pad provides a quick reference for frequently used shortcuts, offering a reference designed to support workflow efficiency
- Smooth & Precise Surface: The finely-textured surface ensures precise mouse control, allowing for smooth and accurate movement during work or gaming sessions.
- Durable & Non-Slip Design: This Multi-Software Shortcut Mouse Pad features stitched edges to reduce fraying. The non-slip rubber base helps keep it securely in place, and the water-resistant fabric allows for easier maintenance.
- Clear Print Quality: Displays high-resolution printing intended to remain legible through regular use and cleaning
| Route | When it is generally available | What you need | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online services for business | Business debts of $200,000 or less, subject to the ATO’s eligibility checks | Digital ID linked to the business in Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM), plus ABN or TFN and balance details | Fast self-service when the account is straightforward and you can make a realistic proposal |
| Automated business phone service | Generally for debts of $200,000 or less when the automated service accepts the request | Business identifiers and the outstanding amount; follow the telephone prompts | Useful when you cannot complete the online process but the arrangement is within the automated criteria |
| ATO phone discussion | Required starting point for debts above $200,000 and appropriate when online or automated self-service fails | ABN or TFN, account information and details of your financial position | Cases needing a manual assessment, larger balances or discussion of alternatives |
| Registered tax or BAS agent | Available where you appoint an appropriately registered and authorised agent | Authority for the agent to access the account, accurate records and your proposed cash flow | Businesses needing help with the application, financial information or ongoing compliance |
The $200,000 dividing line comes from the ATO’s business payment-plan guidance. It is a route threshold, not a promise that every business below it will be approved or that every business above it is refused.
Set up online: step-by-step
1. Prepare access before you start
If you have never used Online services for business, create a Digital ID and link it to the business through RAM. The linking process establishes that you are authorised to act for the entity. A sole trader still needs the appropriate identity and business access setup; having an ABN alone does not replace digital authorisation.
Have the ABN or TFN available, along with the exact account balance and the periods that make up the debt. Keep recent bank statements, a cash-flow forecast and records of income, expenses, assets, loans, creditors and debtors nearby in case the ATO asks for more information.
2. Open the payment-plan service
- Sign in to Online services for business.
- Open Accounts and payments.
- Select Payment plans.
- Choose the relevant business account or debt and check that the displayed balance matches your records.
Menu labels can change. If you cannot find the option, check that you are in the business service rather than an individual account and that your RAM authorisation is active.
3. Model a schedule with the estimator
Use the ATO payment-plan estimator to test weekly, fortnightly and monthly instalments and to see how timing affects estimated interest. The estimator is a planning tool only. Its result does not determine eligibility, approve a plan or bind the ATO to the dates and amounts shown.
Rank #2
- [MULTIFUNCTIONAL]You'll get 2 pieces computer monitor memo boards that you can stick on the left and right edges of your monitor, and they're the perfect office desk organizers and accessories. Computer monitor side panels desktop organizer are suitable for home work or office,bringing convenience. Desktop memo is used to organize meeting memos, important messages, business cards, planning notes.Paste on the message board to keep track of important things and to-do items to prevent forgetting.
- [🌟HIGHLY QUALITY] The material of computer screen side note holder is transparent acrylic. Durable, simple, stylish, light weight, easy to use, not easy to fall off or break. This cute office supplies for women desk can be used for a long time. This computer desk accessories is waterproof and dirt resistance, and look simple and stylish. The transparent acrylic sticky note holder as cubicle accessories is easy to notice the context of your sticky notes.
- [📋Easy to use] Office must haves cool office gadgets for desk ready to tear, easy to install and remove, not easy to leave traces. You only need to peel off the protective film on the surface of the computer side board memo, wipe off the dust on the edge of the computer monitor, and then stick the desk essentials for women office on the right or left side of the tape, and you're done. A perfect gift for your colleagues, friends or classmates and family members or relatives
- [🏢MULTI-SCENE USE] This desk supplies computer memo board can be applied to home and office, clear your office decor for women, suitable for most computer monitors, screens and cabinets, you can put it where you think, this cute office decor serve as a reminder. Stick on the computer side. It’s a good office gadgets can remind work improve office productivity. Pasted cabinets, dressers, refrigerators, walls, etc as cubicle accessories. To make life more orderly.
- [💌NOTE] The adhesive force of the computer sticky note holder is very strong. It can not be directly pasted on the computer screen. It should pasted on the black edge of the screen. Narrow edge not recommended!!! If you are not satisfied with your purchase, or if the product is damaged or broken in transit, please let us know immediately. We will promptly solve your problem.
Start with the amount your business can pay after allowing for wages, superannuation, rent, suppliers, tax that will fall due during the plan and a sensible operating buffer. A schedule that looks affordable only if every customer pays early is not affordable in practice.
4. Submit the proposal
Enter the requested instalment frequency, amount and start date. Read the confirmation carefully, including the total balance covered, the first payment date and any conditions. Save or print the confirmation and calendar the instalments. If the system rejects the request, record the message or reference number; it will help the ATO or your agent diagnose the problem.
5. Verify the first payment
Check that the nominated payment method can clear on the due date. A rejected direct debit or late first instalment can place the arrangement at risk immediately. Keep evidence of each payment and reconcile it against the ATO account rather than relying only on a bank transaction description.
How to choose an instalment amount you can keep paying
The ATO says payment plans are normally paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly. The right frequency follows your actual cash receipts, not a generic preference.
Match the date to cash flow
- Weekly: can suit businesses with regular weekly receipts and reduces the balance more often.
- Fortnightly: can align with payroll cycles, but include weeks in which payroll or supplier costs are unusually high.
- Monthly: may fit businesses with monthly invoicing or seasonal revenue, but leaves the balance outstanding for longer between payments.
Map at least the next several months of expected receipts and essential expenses. Include tax amounts that will become payable while the plan is running. If your revenue is seasonal, use a conservative low-revenue month rather than an average that hides a cash shortfall.
Rank #3
- Stay Organized with Ease: Our To Do List Notepad provides multiple sections with plenty of space to jot down all of your important tasks.A versatile office supply perfect for daily task management, helping you keep track of everything that needs to be done and prioritize effectively.
- Achieve Your Productivity Goals: Begin each day on a positive note, reminding you of your potential, strength, and the significance of staying focused on your goals. Our Daily Checklist Notepad is the ultimate tool to streamline your daily planning and elevate your productivity. With a clear and concise overview of your tasks, you can effortlessly prioritize what truly matters and make consistent strides towards achieving your goals.
- Reliable and Stylish: Our to do list planner combines functionality with durability. With a transparent PP cover, the inner pages are well-protected from dirt and wear. Additionally, the back cover is crafted with thick paperboard, offering a stable surface for your writing needs. Each notepad includes 52 pages of high-quality, 100gsm paper, which is thick and non-bleeding, resulting in a smooth and enjoyable writing experience.
- Versatile Use: This daily checklist notepad, suitable for teacher supplies and a wide range of applications, proves invaluable in various settings including work, school, and home. Whether you need to organize your daily tasks, plan a project, or create a grocery list, this notepad serves as the ideal tool. Its compact size ensures easy portability, allowing you to conveniently carry it with you throughout your day.
- Perfect Present for Anyone: Our Daily To-Do List Notepad is the perfect present for those who value organization and productivity. With its stylish design and versatility, this office desk accessory is also a practical addition to school supplies. Suitable for students, professionals, and homemakers alike, it helps keep tasks and priorities in check effortlessly.
Use the shortest manageable term
General interest charge (GIC) continues on the unpaid debt and compounds daily. A shorter plan normally means less time for interest to accumulate, but an instalment that causes repeated defaults is worse than a sustainable schedule. Choose the shortest period the business can meet after essential commitments.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesBe ready for a financial-information request
For some applications the ATO may ask for more than the balance and proposed instalment. Information can include:
- recent income and expense figures;
- bank-account balances and available cash;
- business and personal assets relevant to the assessment;
- secured and unsecured loans;
- creditors owed by the business; and
- debtors who owe money to the business.
Provide consistent figures. A proposal based on records that do not reconcile with lodged activity statements or bank information can take longer to assess.
Interest and the cost of paying over time
GIC keeps accruing during a plan
Putting a debt on a payment plan does not freeze interest. GIC accrues on the unpaid amount and compounds daily while the balance remains outstanding. The GIC rate is revised quarterly, so do not rely on an old rate when forecasting the total cost. The estimator’s interest figure is an estimate based on the assumptions entered and the rate available to it.
Every extra payment that reduces principal earlier can reduce the period over which GIC accumulates. Before making additional payments, confirm how the ATO will allocate them across the relevant account and keep the plan’s required instalments scheduled unless the ATO confirms a change.
Rank #4
- 【Adjustable & Ergonomic】：This laptop stand can be adjusted to a comfortable height and angle according to your actual needs, letting you fix posture and reduce your neck fatigue, back pain and eye strain. Very comfortable for working in home, office and outdoor.
- 【Sturdy & Protective】 ：Made of sturdy metal, it can support up to 17.6 lbs (8kg) weight on top; With 2 rubber mats on the hook and anti-skid silicone pads on top & bottom, it can secure your laptop in place and maximum protect your device from scratches and sliding. Moreover, smooth edges will never hurt your hands.
- 【Heat Dissipation】 ：The top of the laptop stand is designed with multiple ventilation holes. The open design offers greater ventilation and more airflow to cool your laptop during operation other than it just lays flat on the table.
- 【Portable & Foldable】：The foldable design allows you to easily slip it in your backpack. Ideal for people who travel for business a lot.
- 【Broad Compatibility】：Our desktop book stand is compatible with all laptops from 10-15.6 inches, such as MacBook Air/ Pro, Google Pixelbook, Dell XPS, HP, ASUS, Lenovo ThinkPad, Acer, Chromebook and Microsoft Surface, etc.Be your ideal companion in Home, Office & Outdoor.
Deductibility changed on 1 July 2025
Under the ATO’s June 2025 guidance, GIC incurred on or after 1 July 2025 is no longer deductible. GIC from earlier periods may be treated under the previous rules, depending on the relevant tax return and circumstances. Keep the dates and amounts of GIC separate in your records and ask a registered tax agent how the transition applies to your business; do not assume that all interest on one account receives the same treatment.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep the arrangement in good standing
Continue lodging and paying new obligations
A payment plan deals with the agreed existing debt. Lodge future returns and activity statements on time and pay new liabilities by their due dates. Falling behind on new obligations can make the overall position worse and may affect the ATO’s willingness to maintain the arrangement.
Understand how credits and refunds are applied
The ATO can apply a tax credit or refund to reduce the outstanding debt. That credit does not replace a required instalment. Continue making the scheduled payment unless the ATO has told you in writing or through the account that the amount or schedule has changed.
Contact the ATO before a missed payment
If a customer pays late, a major expense arises or your forecast changes, contact the ATO as soon as you know the scheduled amount may not clear. Do not assume the plan will automatically pause or be recalculated. Ask what evidence is required and whether a revised arrangement is available.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Know the consequence of disengaging
The ATO may take firmer action when a taxpayer refuses to engage or repeatedly defaults. A plan is a way to demonstrate active compliance, not protection from every collection action. Keep communications, confirmations and payment records in one file so you can show what was agreed.
Best Value
- Twin-Ball Design : Hiacry gel pen features a double ball conical tip that reduces writing resistance and provides a stable and smooth writing experience. 0.7mm quick drying black ink ensures no jumping, leakage or seepage.
- Quick-Dry Long Lasting Ink：0.7mm black ink can slide effortlessly, dry immediately, & is not easily dirty. It has a high-capacity reservoir (up to 1300 meters), which is very suitable for left-handed & right-handed users.
- Sleek Design for Journaling & Planning: Engineered with a low center of gravity and precision tip for steady ink flow, these journaling pens excel at note-taking, sketching, planning, and more. They combine stylish pens with top-tier performance.
- Rolling Ball Design：The pocket clip with roll ball design can be easily attached to notebook pockets and binders, in addition, the fidget on the pen clip is also a small toy for your daily thinking to relieve stress.
- Comfortable Non-Slip Grip：The ergonomic pen barrel has a soft rubberized coating for a comfortable, non-slip grip, so you won't get fatigued even after long hours of writing.
What to do when self-service does not work
The online option is missing or unavailable
- Confirm that you signed in to Online services for business, not an individual service.
- Check that your Digital ID is linked to the correct business in RAM and that the authorisation has not expired.
- Confirm that all required returns and activity statements have been lodged.
- Check the account balance and entity details for discrepancies.
- Try the ATO’s automated business phone service if the debt is within the $200,000 route threshold.
The automated service rejects the request
Write down the rejection message and any reference number. Phone the ATO’s lodge and pay enquiry line during its operating hours to discuss eligibility and other options. Explain the debt amount, what you can pay, why the automated route failed and whether any new obligations are imminent.
The debt exceeds $200,000
For a business owing more than $200,000, phone the ATO rather than trying to force the online workflow. Prepare a complete picture of liabilities, cash, assets, debts owed to the business, creditors and a proposed payment timetable. The ATO may need a more detailed assessment and may discuss options beyond a standard self-service plan.
You need advice tailored to the business
A registered tax or BAS agent can arrange the plan and help prepare financial information, especially where the business has several entities, disputed liabilities, seasonal income, director or personal exposure, or possible insolvency concerns. Agent involvement does not guarantee acceptance; it improves the accuracy of the information and the quality of the discussion.
Common mistakes that make an ATO plan harder
- Proposing the maximum amount you hope to collect. Base instalments on dependable cash, not optimistic sales.
- Ignoring new tax. A plan can fail when the business pays the old debt but does not reserve for the next activity statement or withholding amount.
- Treating the estimator as an approval. It models a scenario; the ATO still decides whether the arrangement is available and on what terms.
- Forgetting GIC. The balance can grow while payments are being made because interest compounds daily.
- Stopping instalments after a credit. Refunds and credits reduce the debt but do not automatically satisfy the scheduled instalment.
- Using stale access credentials. An expired RAM authorisation or incorrect entity link can look like a payment-plan eligibility problem.
- Waiting until after a default. Early contact gives more room to explain a temporary cash-flow problem and seek a revision.
A practical preparation checklist
Before opening the online service or calling, assemble:
- the business ABN and, where relevant, TFN;
- the complete ATO account balance and the tax types and periods included;
- confirmation that all required lodgments are up to date;
- bank balances and a short cash-flow forecast;
- expected customer receipts and major supplier, payroll, rent and finance payments;
- tax obligations likely to fall due during the proposed term;
- details of assets, loans, creditors and debtors if the ATO asks for a financial assessment;
- your preferred weekly, fortnightly or monthly amount and first-payment date; and
- Digital ID and RAM access, or the details of the registered agent authorised to act.
How the decision works in real situations
A small, clearly defined debt
A sole trader with a lodged activity statement and a debt below $200,000 can usually begin online, use the estimator to test a fortnightly amount, and submit the request if the service accepts it. The owner still needs to budget for future activity statements and GIC; an online confirmation does not remove those responsibilities.
A seasonal business with uneven receipts
A monthly schedule may appear attractive during a strong trading period but become unaffordable in the off-season. The owner should model the low-revenue months, retain enough cash for wages and new tax, and contact the ATO before a shortfall rather than allowing a direct debit to fail.
A larger or complicated balance
A business above the $200,000 threshold, or one with several overdue periods and uncertain records, should call the ATO and consider engaging a registered agent. A complete financial picture lets the ATO discuss a realistic arrangement instead of relying on an online form that cannot capture the circumstances.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →When a payment plan is not enough
If the business cannot meet essential expenses even after restructuring the timetable, or liabilities are continuing to grow faster than available cash, treat that as a broader financial-distress problem. A payment plan does not decide insolvency questions, protect directors from every liability or replace professional advice. Speak promptly with a registered tax or BAS agent and, where appropriate, a qualified insolvency or financial adviser while continuing to communicate with the ATO.
Quick Recap
Key points to remember
- Start with Online services for business and Accounts and payments → Payment plans when the business debt is $200,000 or less.
- Use an agent or the automated phone service when appropriate; call the ATO for debts above $200,000 or when self-service fails.
- Prepare the ABN or TFN, full balance details, current lodgments and a defensible cash-flow schedule.
- Weekly, fortnightly and monthly plans remain subject to ATO assessment, and the estimator is not approval.
- GIC compounds daily during the plan, and GIC incurred from 1 July 2025 is no longer deductible under the ATO’s stated rule.
- Keep lodging and paying new obligations, continue scheduled instalments despite credits or refunds, and contact the ATO before circumstances cause a missed payment.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
