Credit card processing in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is one of the states where a credit card surcharge is prohibited by statute. With a customer base that carries many premium rewards cards, merchants here need the lowest honest cost of acceptance rather than a way to pass it on.
Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 140D, s. 28A) prohibits surcharging customers who pay by credit card; a clearly disclosed discount for paying by cash or check is allowed.
From university-area retailers to Boston restaurants and cafes: Massachusetts's business mix
Boston and Cambridge concentrate universities, hospitals, biotech and finance, with restaurants and cafes that serve students and professionals at high volume. Worcester and Springfield have healthcare, colleges and manufacturing roots.
Cape Cod, the islands and the North Shore depend on summer visitors, while western Massachusetts has farm stands, ski areas and cultural venues. Many residents pay by tap and carry rewards cards.
The legal side of card fees in Massachusetts
Massachusetts General Laws chapter 140D, section 28A, says no seller may impose a surcharge on a cardholder who pays by credit card instead of cash, check or similar means. A clearly disclosed discount for cash is treated differently. Check current rules before changing prices.
| Status | Prohibited |
|---|---|
| Key condition | No seller may impose a surcharge on a cardholder who pays by credit card instead of cash, check or similar means. |
| Source | M.G.L. c. 140D, s. 28A |
Surcharge law roundup · general information, not legal advice
Which pricing suits Boston restaurants and cafes?
Without surcharging, Massachusetts restaurants and shops should push for interchange-plus pricing, remove junk fees and fix downgrades. Cafes with many small tickets should look at per-transaction fees closely. Professional practices can steer large invoices to ACH, and Cape businesses need pricing without off-season minimums.
POS for medical and dental practices, Cape Cod seasonal businesses and more
- Boston restaurants and cafes
- Fast tap-to-pay, tip adjustment and online ordering, with no surcharge settings.
- Medical and dental practices
- Patient portals, payment plans and HSA/FSA acceptance, set up around how medical and dental practices in Massachusetts sell.
- Cape Cod seasonal businesses
- Seasonal pricing with no minimums and mobile terminals.
- University-area retailers
- Contactless lanes and inventory tied to online sales.
Massachusetts city guides
Send one statement. Every fee named, back, usually within 4 hours.
It is free, there is nothing to sign and nothing to cancel. We read your current merchant statement line by line, name every fee on it — including the ones buried in the fee schedule — work out your true effective rate, and send the written analysis back, usually within 4 hours. Do not want to wait? Call 1-888-705-7896 and we will read your statement with you on the call in about 5 minutes.
Across Massachusetts
Boston · Worcester · Springfield · Cambridge · Lowell · Brockton · Quincy · Lynn · New Bedford · Fall River · Newton · Lawrence · Somerville · Framingham · Haverhill · Waltham · Malden · Brookline · Plymouth · Medford · Taunton · Chicopee · Weymouth · Revere · Peabody · Methuen · Barnstable · Pittsfield · Attleboro · Arlington · Everett · Salem · Westfield · Leominster · Fitchburg · Beverly · Holyoke · Marlborough · Woburn · Amherst · Braintree · Chelsea · Northampton · Provincetown · Nantucket
Commercial corridors
Boston
Newbury Street · Boylston Street · Hanover Street · Charles Street · Tremont Street · Washington Street · Massachusetts Avenue · Commonwealth Avenue · Centre Street · Dorchester Avenue · Beacon Street
Cambridge
Massachusetts Avenue · Brattle Street · Cambridge Street · Hampshire Street
Worcester
Main Street · Shrewsbury Street · Highland Street · Park Avenue
Salem
Essex Street · Derby Street · Washington Street
Provincetown
Commercial Street · Bradford Street
Massachusetts: quick answers
Massachusetts General Laws chapter 140D, section 28A, says no seller may impose a surcharge on a cardholder who pays by credit card instead of cash, check or similar means. A clearly disclosed discount for cash is treated differently. Check current rules before changing prices.
A clearly disclosed discount for paying cash is treated differently from a surcharge, but it must be a genuine discount off the regular price.
Look at the per-transaction fee on small tickets, ask about small-ticket programs and remove monthly junk fees.
All of it, from Cambridge to Lynn. Boston has its own page here. For university-area retailers: Statement review, quoting and setup run remotely; you never need to leave the shop.