Can I charge the Square transaction fee on each card transaction for online appoitments?

wiseanttech_m — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 13:45:58 GMT

Hi! I’m not charging sales tax on online appointment services, but I know Square applies a percentage fee for each transaction. Is there a way to charge that fee on each card transaction?

I considered using a service charge, but it only works when a fulfillment option is set up on Square Online.

Re: Can I charge the Square transaction fee on each card transaction for online appoitments?

TheRealChipA — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:17:05 GMT

Hi there @wiseanttech_m. You can not use sales tax for that. In fact, you can not use service charges, either. This is, because of the restrictions placed on Square by the card companies (Mastercard, etc), some cards are not allowed to be surcharged to recoup service fees — specifically debit cards, prepaid cards and gift cards. See screen shot below from the Square help document on service charges. It seems that Square is working on a solution that will satisfy the card issuers, but it’s not ready yet.

Most of us just add a flat percentage to our prices. I add 3% when I’m figuring out my costs to arrive at a sales price. And, yes, this means that cash paying customers pay these fees, too. In 10 years of doing this, not one customer has ever said a word. I usually come out a little ahead because of this — and that is the reason we are in business, eh? The best part about doing this is this is how we cost in everything else. People expect it. You do have the option (in most states, be sure to check your state’s laws) to discount customer who pay cash. But even if your state allows that, you have to post signs and notices, which usually makes card paying customers angry and feeling like second-class citizens. But, of course, that is your call.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Honestly, even when Square does implement surcharging, I will never use it. This is because I refuse to patronize businesses who add line items like these. I’d rather that businesses just charge a fair price that makes them money, and not make me have to worry about it or know about it. I can’t count the number of businesses that lost me the first time I saw card surcharges. But, that’s me.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Re: Can I charge the Square transaction fee on each card transaction for online appoitments?

Ellie_ — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 16:08:03 GMT

Thank you so much for stepping in here about this question, @TheRealChipA! All of that information is super thorough and helpful, as well as putting in your own thoughts as a business owner. As they said, @wiseanttech_m, please let us know if you have any additional questions that we can help you out with!

thread Can I charge the Square transaction fee on each card transaction for online appoitments? in Appointments & Bookings

Can I charge the Square transaction fee on each card transaction for online appoitments?

Re: Can I charge the Square transaction fee on each card transaction for online appoitments?

Re: Can I charge the Square transaction fee on each card transaction for online appoitments?