
Heartland Credit Card Processing Fees can be a mystery to many business owners. They're often hidden in fine print and can add up quickly, eating into your profit margins.
The good news is that Heartland offers transparent pricing, which means you can easily understand what you're paying for. Their pricing structure is based on a tiered system, with lower rates for higher transaction volumes.
As a business owner, it's essential to understand the fees associated with Heartland Credit Card Processing to make informed decisions about your business. By knowing what you're paying, you can better plan your finances and avoid unexpected surprises.
With Heartland, you can expect to pay a flat rate per transaction, as well as a percentage of the total transaction amount. This can vary depending on the type of card being used and the industry you're in.
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Heartland's Pricing Structure
Heartland's pricing structure is quite straightforward.
The Point of Sale plan starts at $89.00 per station per month.
Payments+ plan charges a fee of 2.6% + $0.10 per in-person transaction.
Payroll+ plan starts at $89.00 per 5 employees per month.
Here are the details of Heartland's merchant fees:
Pricing
Heartland's pricing structure can be a bit tricky to figure out, but I've got the lowdown.
Their Point of Sale plan starts at $89.00 per station per month.
You can expect to pay a fee of 2.6% + $0.10 per in-person transaction with their Payments+ plan.
The Payroll+ plan starts at $89.00 per 5 employees per month.
Here's a quick rundown of their pricing plans:
Their payment fees start at 2.6% + $0.10 per in-person transaction, which is a pretty standard rate for payment processors.
Merchant Fees
Merchant fees can add up quickly, especially for online transactions. You'll pay 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
Card present transactions also come with a fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. This can be a significant cost, especially for businesses that process a lot of transactions.
Monthly statement fees are a flat $5.00, which can be a steady expense. Some businesses may find this fee to be a minor cost compared to other fees.
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Spendback and Flash Funds come with a 1% fee, which can be a significant cost for businesses that use these services frequently. This fee is likely to add up quickly.
Deposits also come with a fee of $0.30 per deposit, which can be a minor cost for businesses that make frequent deposits. However, this fee can add up over time.
Annual 1099 fees are a flat $3.00, which is a relatively small cost compared to other fees. This fee is likely to be a minor expense for most businesses.
ACH Notification of Change fees are a flat $5.00, which is a small cost compared to other fees. However, this fee can be an additional expense for businesses that need to make changes to their account.
ACH Return fees are a flat $10.00, which can be a significant cost for businesses that experience a high volume of returns. This fee is likely to be a major expense for businesses that struggle with returns.
For another approach, see: How to Automatically Add Credit Card Fees in Quickbooks
Hidden Fees

Heartland's Hidden Fees are a concern for many merchants. Heartland has been increasing their Non-PCI Compliant fees from an industry standard of $9.99 to a staggering $125.00/month.
This substantial increase can easily be seen as a money-grabbing scheme. Heartland's Non-PCI Compliance fee is assessed to accounts that have not provided their PCI DSS compliance validation.
The fee is reflected as a separate line item on merchant statements and will continue to be assessed monthly until compliance validation is provided.
Updates and Changes
A 3% cap on surcharging fees has been implemented by Visa, effective immediately. This change affects merchants who process Visa, Mastercard, and Discover transactions.
The cap was previously 4% for Visa, but has been reduced to 3%, aligning with Mastercard and Discover's existing limits. American Express OptBlue, however, still allows a 3.5% surcharge.
In preparation for this change, Heartland will update the Surcharge cap prior to April 15, 2023. This means merchants must ensure they are disclosing the exact amount or percentage of the Surcharge, as well as stating that it's being assessed by the merchant and only applicable to credit transactions.
For another approach, see: Apply for Discover Business Credit Card
Here are the key disclosure requirements:
- Clear disclosure of the Surcharge amount at the entrance to the store
- Disclosure at the point of sale
- Disclosure on the transaction receipt
- Exact amount or percentage of the Surcharge
- Statement that the Surcharge is being assessed by the merchant
- Statement that the Surcharge is only applicable to credit transactions
Note that surcharging is currently prohibited in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, and Oklahoma, and merchants should consult their legal counsel to ensure compliance with local laws.
Card Brand Surcharge Rule Changes - 3% Cap
Surcharging rules apply to Visa, Mastercard, and Discover, but not to American Express, unless you're part of the Heartland Amex OptBlue program.
The Surcharge amount can be fixed or variable, but it must be charged the same on all brands and all payment channels.
Surcharging cannot exceed the cost of acceptance and is capped at 3%, although Visa recently changed its cap from 4% to 3%.
In preparation for this change, Heartland will be updating the Surcharge cap prior to April 15, 2023.
To comply with the new rule, merchants must make clear disclosure of the Surcharge amount at the entrance to the store, at the point of sale, and on the transaction receipt.
For more insights, see: Visa Credit Cards for No Credit
Here are the key disclosure requirements:
- The merchant must disclose the exact amount or percentage of the Surcharge.
- The disclosure must include a statement that the Surcharge is being assessed by the merchant and is only applicable to credit transactions.
The cardholder must be given the opportunity to cancel the transaction without penalty after the Surcharge is disclosed.
Surcharging is currently prohibited in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, and Oklahoma (subject to change).
Updates
We've recently seen some changes in the way businesses process transactions. Heartland, a credit card processing services company, has updated their pricing and key information.
Their services now include card processing, payroll services, point-of-sale solutions, and lending. Businesses can use Heartland to secure every financial transaction.
See what others are reading: Are Credit Card Late Fees Tax Deductible for Businesses
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Heartland charge per transaction?
Heartland charges a flat rate of 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction. This rate applies to all transactions processed through their system.
Sources
- https://www.thesmbguide.com/heartland-payment-systems-inc-reviews
- https://besurewithpure.com/fuel-retailers/credit-card-processing-program/
- https://www.inrla.org/news/card-brand-surcharge-rule-changes
- https://www.paymentcollect.com/avoid-hidden-heartland-fees-lower-your-non-emv-and-pci-fees/
- https://software4schools.com/knowledge-base/heartland-propay/
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