U.S. Small Business Administration · reviewed 2026-10-26
What this source supports: Clear invoice terms, late fee policies stated upfront, and polite reminders reduce late payment.
Source limit: Late fee rules vary by jurisdiction; state your terms in your client agreement.
These sources support the statements above. They do not show that every person needs this guide. They do not show a specific result.
Limits
This guide multiplies the numbers you enter. It does not read a processor contract or promise a rate.
Late fee rules vary by jurisdiction; state your terms in your client agreement.
Use current instructions from the responsible organization. This guide is a planning aid, not an official decision or a substitute for qualified advice.
Common questions
What does the App compute?
Compare two card fee structures on the same monthly volume and transaction count.
What does the App not do?
This App multiplies the numbers you enter. It does not read a processor contract or promise a rate.
Where do the numbers come from?
You enter every number yourself. The sources support the method and the limits. They do not produce a result for your specific case. Keep the original documents next to the sheet you build.
Before you start
Open the linked source page and keep it beside you.
Gather the values the App asks for:
Monthly card volume.
Route A percent.
Route A fixed fee.
Route A transactions.
Route B percent.
Route B fixed fee.
Set aside ten quiet minutes; rushed numbers are the main error this guide prevents.
Free Companion App
The App computes the worked example with your own numbers, in your browser.
APP 1
Card Processing Fee Comparison
Compare two card fee structures on the same monthly volume and transaction count.
This guide is edited for clarity and checked against the sources it links. It is not a substitute for official instructions or qualified advice. A linked source does not show that every person needs this guide.