Commonwealth Bank is the latest financial institution to halt the earning of frequent flyer points when using your credit card to pay the Australian Taxation Office, with the well drying up from November 2 2015.

Affecting CBA’s line of personal credit cards – including standard, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Awards – these payments will earn zero points come November, whether made using a CBA Visa, MasterCard or American Express card.

CBA Business Awards customers, however, will continue to earn Awards points on ATO payments after this date – a handy earner for the obligatory BAS and PAYG settlements.

A Commonwealth Bank spokesperson confirmed the changes to Australian Business Traveller, adding that "from time to time the bank reviews its terms and conditions to ensure our offers remain competitive and reflective of market conditions."

Using credit cards to make personal HECS debt repayments to the ATO or to settle any outstanding end-of-year tax obligations has long been a favourite trick of savvy frequent flyers, but one that other banks have in recent times also moved to restrain.

For example, Westpac halved the number of points awarded on ATO American Express payments in November 2014 – and nullified the ATO earning rate on its Visas and MasterCards – while NAB pulled the plug on all ATO credit card points in May of this year.

Also read: The five best credit cards for paying your income tax

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