Methodology & Sources
Every number in this calculator comes from publicly available pricing pages published directly by payment processors. We don't make up rates — we use exactly what Stripe, PayPal, Square, and others publish on their own websites.
How We Calculate Fees
Payment processor fees follow the standard industry formula: Fee = (Invoice Amount × Percentage Rate) + Fixed Fee.
For reverse calculation (finding the invoice amount needed to receive a specific net payout), we solve the formula algebraically: Invoice = (Net Amount + Fixed Fee) ÷ (1 − Percentage Rate).
All rates are updated manually when processors announce pricing changes. Fees shown are standard published rates for US-based merchants. International, in-person, and enterprise rates differ — always verify with your processor.
Important Disclaimer
This calculator is provided for informational purposes only. Actual fees may vary based on your account type, transaction volume, card type, country of origin, and any negotiated rates. Always verify current fees with your payment processor before making financial decisions. This tool does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice.
Data Sources
Payment Processor Pricing Pages
Stripe Pricing
Official Stripe fee schedule for online card transactions, ACH Direct Debit, and invoicing.
https://stripe.com/pricing
PayPal Merchant Fees
PayPal's published rates for online payments, invoicing, and PayPal Checkout.
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/merchant-fees
Square Payment Processing Fees
Square's published rates for card-not-present, invoices, and manual entry transactions.
https://squareup.com/us/en/payments/our-fees
Venmo Business Fees
Venmo's business profile transaction fee structure.
https://help.venmo.com/hc/en-us/articles/360048039133
QuickBooks Payments Pricing
Intuit QuickBooks Payments fee schedule for ACH and card transactions.
https://quickbooks.intuit.com/payments/
ACH & Bank Transfer Standards
Nacha (ACH Network Rules)
The governing body for ACH payments in the United States. Source for settlement timelines and return codes.
https://www.nacha.org/
Federal Reserve — FedACH Services
Federal Reserve's ACH processing documentation, including same-day ACH availability.
https://www.frbservices.org/financial-services/ach/index.html
Chargeback & Dispute Data
Visa Dispute Resolution Rules
Visa's official chargeback reason codes, timelines, and merchant dispute guidelines.
https://usa.visa.com/support/merchant/library/disputed-chargeback-management.html
Mastercard Chargeback Guide
Mastercard's published chargeback reason codes and merchant representment process.
https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/business/overview/safety-and-security/chargeback-guide.html
Tax & Accounting References
IRS Publication 535 — Business Expenses
IRS guidance on deductible business expenses, including merchant and payment processing fees.
https://www.irs.gov/publications/p535
IRS Form 1099-K Threshold Rules
IRS rules on third-party payment processor reporting thresholds.
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/understanding-your-form-1099-k
Surcharging Laws & Compliance
Visa Surcharging Rules
Visa's official rules and caps for merchants who add a surcharge to credit card transactions.
https://usa.visa.com/run-your-business/merchant-resources/surcharging.html
Mastercard Surcharging Rules
Mastercard's published surcharge rules and permitted maximum rates.
https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/business/overview/support/surcharging.html
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