Since launching and prior to Bill4time Payments, we have received many inquiries about extending credit card processing fees or surcharging your end-clients. In today’s world of billing - accepting credit cards has become the norm.
Some states allow merchants to extend a surcharge to end-clients, however many do not permit surcharging. Furthermore, federal and state laws surrounding surcharge and consumer protection are in a constant state of evolution and have come under particular scrutiny of late. As regulations vary from state to state and consumer protection laws change daily - we highly recommend you investigate what is legal in your region, state and federal jurisdiction before making the decision to surcharge.
OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS:
- Major card brands may require you to notify them of the intent to surcharge your end-clients
- Your clients must be made aware of the intent to surcharge ahead of time and give informed consent, sometimes in writing
- Businesses are never permitted to surcharge more than the amount of the fee
- Surcharges can only be placed on credit card fees - no debit transactions
- A surcharge must be a clearly and separately listed line item
- The American Bar Association recommends that instead of surcharging, law firms should instead increase their hourly rate to help cover the cost of online payment transaction fees
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