Fuel Response Payment Plan – our approach to assessing if you qualify

Fuel Response Payment Plan is not a grant – it’s a fuel-related ATO payment arrangement for the taxes you owe, but in some cases, deferring the payment is a significant help itself. With fuel prices possible to rise further, now is the time to understand your options before the pressure increases. This plan is only available until 30 June 2026.
To get it, you must prove that your costs are significantly dependent on fuel costs.

Start with the cause – not the debt

Our recommendation is to start with what created the tax position. The test is:

Would your business be able to meet its tax obligations if fuel costs hadn’t increased? 

In practice, ATO looks for a clear link between fuel or transport-related cost increases and the business’s ability to pay.

It’s usually granted for 36 months. If you will have difficulties paying, we recommend you are upfront with the ATO, and call them before you default on any payments.

You can apply directly through ATO Online Services or through your registered tax agent.

If you’d like to work through this with someone, we can guide you through the assessment and next steps.

📞 (02) 9386 0500