Legislation would shield Texas merchants from costly swipe fees
Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) and Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Keller) have filed legislation to shield Texas merchants from costly swipe fees when they are required to collect taxes on behalf of state and local governments, saving small businesses more than $587 million a year without creating any new costs for the government or Texas consumers.
Currently, restaurants, hotels, and retailers pay card processors a fee ranging from 2-5% on every transaction, including any taxes they are required to collect and send to the government. This legislation acknowledges that small businesses have very little control over these costs because they are required by law to collect taxes, nearly 67% of payments are made with a credit or debit card, and merchants have little to no negotiating power with card processors.
We will continue working with Sen. Parker, Rep. Capriglione, and their colleagues in the Texas Legislature to pass this legislation before May 29, 2023.
