Surcharges and Cash Discounts — The Rules Before You Add a Fee
Last verified: October 2026
Thinking of passing your card fee to customers? You often can — but only by the book: credit cards only, capped at your cost, 30 days' notice, and clearly posted. Here's how to do it right. Want a hand? My number is (330) 200-8042.
Surcharges and Cash Discounts, at a Glance
You can often pass your credit-card fee to customers — but there's a real rulebook behind it. A surcharge applies to credit cards only (never debit or prepaid), is capped at the lower of Visa's 3% and your actual cost, needs 30 days' written notice to the networks, and must be clearly posted at your door and register. Ohio permits it; some states don't. A cash discount is a separate model. This guide walks through all of it in plain English. There's a printable version up top.
Common Questions
1 Can I add a credit-card surcharge in Ohio?
As of late 2026, Ohio does not prohibit credit-card surcharging, so it's permitted here if you follow the card-network rules. A few other states restrict it. Confirm with your attorney and processor, especially if you sell across state lines.
2 Can I surcharge debit cards?
No. You may surcharge credit cards only — never debit or prepaid, even when a customer runs a debit card as 'credit.' The rule follows the card, not the button. Your POS must apply the fee to true credit cards automatically.
3 How much can I charge?
The lower of the current cap (3% under Visa's rule as of late 2026) and your actual cost of acceptance. You can never exceed your real cost. Confirm today's cap with your processor.
4 What notices do I have to give?
You must give 30 days' written notice to the card brands and your acquirer before you start, post clear signs at your entrance and register, and show the surcharge as its own line on the receipt.
5 How is a cash discount different?
A cash discount posts prices as the card price and gives a discount for cash, rather than adding a fee for credit. It's a separate model treated differently from a surcharge — set it up with your processor to stay compliant.
6 Is a surcharge even worth it?
It depends on how much of your business is credit cards and how your customers feel about a fee. It won't touch debit, cash, or check sales. For many small shops a small, even price adjustment is simpler. Run your real numbers first.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
Deciding whether and how to surcharge is exactly the kind of thing I'll walk through with you — the rules, your real numbers, and the setup in your POS — with nothing to sell you and no commission from anyone. For whether the law allows it in your situation, I'll point you to your attorney. $99 flat for a visit, 30-day come-back-free.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).