Merchant Compliant Surcharge

At FineTech Business Solutions, we believe in empowering our clients with the knowledge they need to run their businesses smoothly and efficiently. That’s why we want to take a moment to share some important insights about credit card surcharging—what it is, how it works, and how to ensure you’re applying it fairly and compliantly for your patients.

A surcharge is a small fee added to a customer’s credit card transaction to offset operational business costs. While surcharging can be a helpful way to manage expenses, it’s essential to follow card brand rules (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) and state regulations to avoid penalties or declined transactions.

• Applies to Credit Cards Only – Surcharges can only be added to credit card transactions. Debit card transactions—no matter how they are processed—cannot be surcharged.
• Cap on Surcharges – The surcharge cannot exceed 3.00% of the transaction amount. Keeping the surcharge within this limit ensures fairness and compliance.
• Transparency with Clients – Clients should always be informed about surcharges before they pay. Clear signage at the front desk and disclosures on receipts help maintain transparency and trust.
• State Restrictions – Surcharging is not permitted for businesses in Connecticut (CT), Massachusetts (MA), or Puerto Rico (PR). Additionally, online and phone payments (Card-Not-Present transactions) cannot include a surcharge if the patient’s billing address is in one of these states.

For a list of point of sale devices compatible with Merchant Compliant Surcharge, please click here.

To learn more about how Merchant Compliant Surcharge can work with your business, please email us at Support@FineTechInc.com!