Small business jump on new viral ‘in a relationship with the ATO’ AI trend after credit card payments decision

AI memes of small business owners declaring they’re “in a relationship” with the ATO have begun to spring up on social media in response to the tax office’s decision to stop accepting credit card payments.

In a social media trend resembling a wave of AI-generated memes earlier this year in backlash to the Federal Budget changes around capital gains tax, users are now sharing posts captioned “in a complicated relationship with the ATO”.

The posts, mostly on Facebook and labelled “AI content”, show the app’s relationship icon over a profile photo of the small business owner while tagging the ATO.

Among small business owners to jump on the trend was Melbourne real estate agent Brent Day who posted “in a complicated relationship with the ATO”.

“A relationship where they take 50 per cent of everything I make and still want to know what I’m doing with the other 50 per cent,” he captioned.

Mr Day told The Nightly the ATO’s hypocritical decision to refuse to absorb credit card transaction costs when small businesses were forced to had prompted him to post.

“I don’t understand the whole decision behind that,” he said.

“At the end of the day, the consumer might not pay whatever the percentage is for the credit card surcharge, but the coffee shops are going to pass that on to consumers.

“Which you can’t blame them for because costs are high already and it’s just another cost.

“Obviously credit card surcharge is going to be passed on to the vendor as opposed to the consumer, which I think is ridiculous. I don’t understand that at all.

Labor had announced the credit card surcharge ban earlier this year to rid Australian shoppers of pesky fees which made the checkout price differ from the listed menu price.

However, the same day it came into effect the ATO announced it would stop accepting credit card payments altogether from November 30 to avoid having to absorb those processing costs.

The decision angered Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry boss Andrew McKellar who labelled the agency’s decision unfair and contradictory for small businesses who might rely on credit cards to manage cash flow.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had been the centre of AI memes by small businesses which dubbed him a “new co-owner” in the weeks after his Treasurer Jim Chalmers unveiled the Capital Gains Tax changes in May.

AI-generated images in the viral social media backlash portrayed the PM working in a business or posing with its owner while celebrating his share as a “47 per cent silent partner”.

Mr Day said while his meme was a bit of fun, he felt the tax burden on small businesses was growing.

“I saw a meme posted by some buyer advocate, and I actually messaged him to say ‘mate, this is unreal’,” he told The Nightly.

“It’s humorous, it doesn’t hurt anyone. So, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone or affect anyone, then yeah, we’re happy with it.

“I think a lot of people just agree with me.

“I think they’re just overtaxing business owners. They’re punishing people who work hard and want to get ahead in Australia.

“Sometimes being a real estate agent we’re very easily targeted for negative feedback but I think it’s a post that is relatable to everyone.

“It’s not just us. It’s people who don’t have a business because they’re paying more for consumables as well. Everyone is feeling it. It affects the whole market.”

Mr Day said while he isn’t aligned with a party and has “never been politically motivated” he admitted he would consider One Nation at the next election to use his vote with an “agenda to get them (Labor) out of there”.

Labor ministers have shared contradicting views on the ATO’s decision, including Housing Minister Clare O’Neil confirmed Labor had “real concerns” with the decision while cabinet secretary Andrew Charlton claimed the government backed it.

Labor MP Jerome Laxale had hinted at government intervention during a News24 interview on Friday.

While he had labelled the surcharge reform as “long overdue” and “fixing a broken system” he acknowledged the “strong backlash”.

When asked whether the government could speak to the ATO, Mr Laxale said “I would be surprised if discussions hadn’t been had”.

“I also note that there’s been a strong backlash to it, and you know governments need to listen to that too,” he added.

“The ATO put out (a statement) yesterday, that was the first I knew that they made that decision.

“So, you know I’m not surprised that there’s been a reaction to that.”