Credit card processing

Processing credit cards, tracking payments, and bookkeeping has never been easier.

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Credit card processing for products or services

Credit card processing for products or services

QuickBooks offers your customers a fast, flexible way to pay by credit or debit card

QuickBooks offers your customers a fast, flexible way to pay by credit or debit card

  • Process credit cards with a merchant account
    Get set up with a merchant account
    After you are approved for a merchant account through QuickBooks, you can begin to process credit card payments. Merchant accounts offer credit card processing, online payments gateways and support, and more.
  • A few seconds is all it takes for your customer’s bank to tell the network if the credit card payment is successful or not.
    Fast transactions
    A few seconds is all it takes for your customer’s bank to tell the network if the credit card payment is successful or not. The card network (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, etc.), then gives the news to your credit card processor.
  • Get fast deposits on credit card processing
    Next-day deposits
    As a new QuickBooks Payments user, you should find credit card payments in your account on the next business day, for payments made before 3 pm.

Process credit card payments and bank deposits

Process credit cards and automatically record payments in QuickBooks. Check the status of your deposits, all in one place.


Get QuickBooks Payments


See how our rates compare

Rates per transaction

No monthly or setup fees

1%

Bank transfers (ACH)

(max $10)

2.4%

Swiped

2.9%

Invoiced

3.4%

Keyed

+ 25¢ per transaction

How our rates stack up
  • Square*
    PayPal*
  • ACH
    An electronic money transfer between banks that pulls money from your customer’s bank account and pushes it to your bank account.
  • Keyed
    Manually typing in a customer’s credit or debit card info. For example, taking payment over the phone.
  • Invoice
    Sharing an online invoice with your customer, who then pays it using a credit or debit card.
  • Card reader
    Card payments processed by insert, tap, or digital wallet with a card reader.
  • 1%
    max $10
    1%
    (min $1)
    2.9%
    + 30¢
  • 3.4%
    + 25¢
    3.5%
    + 15¢
    3.5%
    + 15¢
  • 2.9%
    + 25¢
    2.9%
    + 30¢
    2.9%
    + 30¢
  • 2.4%
    + 25¢
    2.6%
    +10¢
    2.7%
ACH An electronic money transfer between banks that pulls money from your customer’s bank account and pushes it to your bank account.
  • QuickBooks
  • Square*
  • Paypal*
  • 1% max $10
  • 1% (min $1)
  • 2.9% + 30¢
Keyed Manually typing in a customer’s credit or debit card info. For example, taking payment over the phone.
  • QuickBooks
  • Square*
  • Paypal*
  • 3.4% + 25¢
  • 3.5% + 15¢
  • 3.5% + 15¢
Invoice Sharing an online invoice with your customer, who then pays it using a credit or debit card.
  • QuickBooks
  • Square*
  • Paypal*
  • 2.9% + 25¢
  • 2.9% + 30¢
  • 2.9% + 30¢
Card reader Card payments processed by insert, tap, or digital wallet with a card reader.
  • QuickBooks
  • Square*
  • Paypal*
  • 2.4% + 25¢
  • 2.6% +10¢
  • 2.7%
*Rates are accurate as of 3/31/2021. Fee comparison excludes PayPal ACH for sending money to friends and family.
Start accepting payments
Are you a QuickBooks Desktop customer?
See Desktop payment pricing

Credit card processing terms to know

What is an authorization fee?
What is a card association?
What is a chargeback?
What is an issuing bank?
What is a merchant bank?
What is a merchant service provider?
What is a payment gateway?
What is a processor?
What are credit card processing rates?

Who is involved in credit card processing?

Credit card networks
Sponsor banks
Independent sales organizations (ISO)
Payment processor
Payment facilitator

Where are credit cards accepted?

In person
Mail order and telephone order (MOTO)
E-commerce sites

How credit card processing works

July 2, 2020
How credit card processing works
The concept of credit has been around a long time—it used to be common, for example, for farmers to buy seed on credit until the harvest was sold. These days it’s likely you would buy a new smartphone with a credit card, knowing you’ll get paid at the end of the month to cover your bill. The most significant change to credit over the years is how payments are processed.

How credit cards used to work

In the early days of credit cards, credit card acceptance was a long and tedious process.

Not so long ago, businesses would document a customer’s credit card details by pressing the card into 3 pages of copy paper with something called an imprinter. They would call in to an authorization center, read off the card details and wait for an authorization number. One copy of the card imprint was given to the customer as a receipt of payment. At the close of business, the store owner or staff would take another copy of the card imprint to the bank as part of their daily deposit. The business would have to wait for the money to transfer from bank to bank, before finally being deposited in their account 5-7 business days later. The third imprint copy was saved as part of the sales record in case there was any type of dispute or refund request. Understandably, many businesses were reluctant to accept cards.

How credit card processing works today

Today, credit card acceptance is now almost a requirement for most companies, and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have many ways to process credit card payments. Businesses might still swipe a card or enter in a card number, but it’s usually done via an electronic card reader, also called a payment terminal. The payment terminal does much of the documentation, fraud protection, and processing for the business, and it all happens online. Businesses today often accept payments online and in person, and can choose from a range of options that provide lower credit card processing fees and make payments easier for customers.

article

How credit card processing works

July 2, 2020
How credit card processing works
The concept of credit has been around a long time—it used to be common, for example, for farmers to buy seed on credit until the harvest was sold. These days it’s likely you would buy a new smartphone with a credit card, knowing you’ll get paid at the end of the month to cover your bill. The most significant change to credit over the years is how payments are processed.

How credit cards used to work

In the early days of credit cards, credit card acceptance was a long and tedious process.

Not so long ago, businesses would document a customer’s credit card details by pressing the card into 3 pages of copy paper with something called an imprinter. They would call in to an authorization center, read off the card details and wait for an authorization number. One copy of the card imprint was given to the customer as a receipt of payment. At the close of business, the store owner or staff would take another copy of the card imprint to the bank as part of their daily deposit. The business would have to wait for the money to transfer from bank to bank, before finally being deposited in their account 5-7 business days later. The third imprint copy was saved as part of the sales record in case there was any type of dispute or refund request. Understandably, many businesses were reluctant to accept cards.

How credit card processing works today

Today, credit card acceptance is now almost a requirement for most companies, and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have many ways to process credit card payments. Businesses might still swipe a card or enter in a card number, but it’s usually done via an electronic card reader, also called a payment terminal. The payment terminal does much of the documentation, fraud protection, and processing for the business, and it all happens online. Businesses today often accept payments online and in person, and can choose from a range of options that provide lower credit card processing fees and make payments easier for customers.

article

Are you a QuickBooks Desktop customer?
See Desktop payment pricing

Frequently asked questions

What is credit card processing?
How does credit card processing work?
How are credit card processing fees decided?
What goes into credit card processing fees?
How long does it take to settle credit card sales?
How can I minimize security breaches?
How can I troubleshoot problems with credit card processing?

Credit card processing tips and tricks

Fee types

Interchange fees
Assessment fees
Merchant service provider (MSP) markup fees
PCI compliance

How to protect your business from chargebacks

Double check customer and order details
Use EMV (Europay Mastercard Visa) technology
Request photo identification
Track shipping and proof of delivery
Be clear about refund and return policies
Learn to spot fraud warning signs
Watch out for unusual orders from foreign countries
Use address verification system (AVS)
Let customers know how your charge will appear on their statement
Respond quickly to retrieval requests and chargeback letters
Collect CVC2 and CVV2 verification numbers
Take an imprint of the credit card

Virtual terminal

Did you know you could process credit cards on demand by simply keying them in while you’re on your laptop or desktop? That’s what’s known as a “virtual terminal.” It’s like having a built-in credit card processor in your computer. All you need is an internet connection.

How do virtual terminals work?

Virtual terminals turn your computer into a cash register and credit card processor. You can accept credit card payments anywhere you have an internet connection, even when the customer isn’t physically there. Simply enter the card details into a credit card processing tool where it’s encrypted, authorized, then submitted for online payment.
Virtual terminal for payment processing
Virtual terminal for payment processing
Virtual terminal for payment processing

When do I need a virtual terminal?

Virtual terminals come in handy to key in credit card payments over the phone or take payments from in-person customers if you don’t have your mobile card reader around. Just open your laptop or payments app–just like that, you’re in business. In QuickBooks you can even save customer info so it goes faster next time.
Virtual terminal turns your computer into a cash register
Virtual terminal turns your computer into a cash register
Virtual terminal turns your computer into a cash register

What about deposits?

Deposit times are usually the same for all payments you take in QuickBooks. The only thing that’s different is the pricing. For new QuickBooks Payments users, credit card payments deposit on the next business day.
Get fast deposits on virtual terminal payments
Get fast deposits on virtual terminal payments
Get fast deposits on virtual terminal payments

Get paid in QuickBooks

Track payment in real time and automate your accounting.

Get QuickBooks Payments


See how our rates compare

Rates per transaction

No monthly or setup fees

1%

Bank transfers (ACH)

(max $10)

2.4%

Swiped

2.9%

Invoiced

3.4%

Keyed

+ 25¢ per transaction

Are you a QuickBooks Desktop customer?
See Desktop payment pricing

Virtual terminal FAQ

What should I do to get started?
How do I make a virtual payment?
What’s the cost?
How our rates stack up
  • Square*
    PayPal*
  • ACH
    An electronic money transfer between banks that pulls money from your customer’s bank account and pushes it to your bank account.
  • Swipe
    Swiping a customer’s credit or debit card using one of our card readers.
  • Invoice
    Sharing an online invoice with your customer, who then pays it using an ACH bank transfer or credit or debit card.
  • Keyed
    Manually typing in a customer’s credit or debit card info. For example, taking payment over the phone.
  • 1%
    max $10
    Not Offered
    2.9%
    + 30¢
  • 2.4%
    + 25¢
    2.6%
    +10¢
    2.7%
  • 2.9%
    + 25¢
    2.9%
    + 30¢
    2.9%
    + 30¢
  • 3.4%
    + 25¢
    3.5%
    + 15¢
    3.5%
    + 15¢
ACH An electronic money transfer between banks that pulls money from your customer’s bank account and pushes it to your bank account.
  • QuickBooks
  • Square*
  • Paypal*
  • 1% max $10
  • Not Offered
  • 2.9% + 30¢
Swipe Swiping a customer’s credit or debit card using one of our card readers.
  • QuickBooks
  • Square*
  • Paypal*
  • 2.4% + 25¢
  • 2.6% +10¢
  • 2.7%
Invoice Sharing an online invoice with your customer, who then pays it using an ACH bank transfer or credit or debit card.
  • QuickBooks
  • Square*
  • Paypal*
  • 2.9% + 25¢
  • 2.9% + 30¢
  • 2.9% + 30¢
Keyed Manually typing in a customer’s credit or debit card info. For example, taking payment over the phone.
  • QuickBooks
  • Square*
  • Paypal*
  • 3.4% + 25¢
  • 3.5% + 15¢
  • 3.5% + 15¢
*Rates are accurate as of September 24th, 2019. Fee comparison excludes PayPal ACH for sending money to friends and family.
Start accepting payments

What you should know about PCI compliance

March 21, 2019
What you should know about PCI compliance
PCI compliance means that you satisfying Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). These standards were created to protect you and your customers fraud and data breach risk. A 2017 Verizon Data Breach Incident Report found that there were almost 42,068 data security incidents last year. So your (and your customer’s) security is more important than ever.

Who must be PCI compliant?

If you are a merchant who stores, transmits, or processes Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and JCB payment card information, you need to be PCI compliant. With QuickBooks, your PCI compliance is ensured. And all of your security needs are up to date.

What is the PCI compliance fee?

If you see something about PCI compliance fees, think of them as security fees. You’ll want to check with your credit card processing provider to see if they offer PCI compliance; most do, and they often charge you for it. Some credit card processing providers offer these services without the fee, but some don’t provide services at all. The fee runs around $20 to $30 a month. It can be billed monthly or annually, and it covers security scans, customer education, and/or data breach insurance.

What happens if someone is not compliant?

In a nutshell, if your business does not comply with PCI standards, you’re at risk for data breaches, fines, card replacement costs, forensic audits and investigations. If there is a data breach, you’ll be liable for all damages.What’s more, both banks and credit card companies can enforce extra requirements (state-specific, for example) that can be hard to navigate. Of course, the damage to your reputation and brand is harder to quantify, but suffice it to say PCI compliance cannot be more recommended.

QuickBooks and PCI compliance

QuickBooks applications are secure. However, there are other applications that may compromise security. Note that use of QuickBooks Payments services doesn’t mean that you are PCI DSS compliant already. Our PCI service simplifies the process to secure your entire environment and covers forensic exam costs and fines associated with a card data breach. See Tools and services included in QuickBooks PCI service for more information about QuickBooks PCI service benefits.

MasterCard, AmEx, Discover & Visa logos

Tell them you’re open for business with custom card brand logos from QuickBooks Payments.
Generate custom logos

Credit card authorization form

Whenever you take a credit card payment–like from a customer on the phone, for example–it’s always riskier because it’s difficult to identify the payor identity and the billing address. How to protect yourself? Ask your customer to sign a credit card authorization form. This gives you permission to charge a recurring payment.
Download form

FAQ

What is a credit card authorization form?
Do credit card authorization forms safeguard against chargebacks?
Should I use a credit card authorization form?
What does a credit card authorization form have on it?
Am I legally obligated to use credit card authorization forms?
Why isn’t the CVV on this credit card authorization form?
What does “Card on File” mean?
How should I store signed forms and for how long?
Let’s get you paid faster
Try QuickBooks Payments
Important offers, pricing details, & disclaimers

1. QuickBooks Payments account subject to eligibility criteria, credit and application approval. Subscription to QuickBooks Online may be required.

2. Mobile card reader is a standalone, optional device. New, approved GoPayment merchant accounts eligible for one (1) free reader. Free unit is applicable towards the lowest cost mobile card reader available at the time of redemption, through Intuit. See available mobile readers or purchase additional devices.

3. Getting paid 2X faster based on U.S. QuickBooks Online invoices using invoice tracking & payment features from August 2016 to July 2017.


Terms, conditions, pricing, special features, and service and support options subject to change without notice.