Credit card processing and merchant services in Charlottetown, PE
Charlottetown's tourism accommodation levy has been 4% of the accommodation price since January 1, 2026. Check that every system building a guest's bill uses the current rate.
Charlottetown had 38,809 residents at the 2021 Census, out of 78,858 in the Charlottetown census agglomeration, so about half the people in the area live outside the city limits. The agglomeration grew 9.8% from 2016.
If you rent rooms, the rate to check first is the City's. Under the Tourism Accommodation Levy Bylaw (2019-TAL-1), the levy is 4% of the purchase price of accommodation, effective January 1, 2026. A property management system set up in an earlier year may still carry an older figure, and anyone who invoices guests by hand can easily miss the change. Pull up a recent guest bill and confirm it shows 4%.
Retailers have a longer list. Prince Edward Island's HST is 15%, but the province's Revenue Tax Guide 197 lists point-of-sale rebates on books, children's clothing, children's footwear and heating oil. A shoe store that sells adult and children's sizes needs two tax codes, and the children's pairs should get the rebate at the till.
Credit card surcharges are allowed on the Island within Visa and Mastercard's limits: credit cards only, no more than 2.4% or your cost of acceptance, and 30 days' notice first. On a $120 room night, 2.4% comes to $2.88. That might be worth adding, or it might be better folded into the rate. Find out your real cost before you choose.
We set up Charlottetown businesses remotely on interchange-plus pricing, with mobile payments for sales away from the counter. Start with a free statement review, and see our Prince Edward Island page for the provincial rules.
Rules that matter in Charlottetown
Charlottetown's 4% tourism accommodation levy
Under the City of Charlottetown's Tourism Accommodation Levy Bylaw (2019-TAL-1), the levy is 4% of the purchase price of accommodation, effective January 1, 2026. Update the rate everywhere a guest's bill is calculated, including booking engines, front desk systems and invoice templates.
Source: City of Charlottetown, Tourism Accommodation Levy Bylaw 2019-TAL-1
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Common questions
What is Charlottetown's tourism accommodation levy rate?
4% of the purchase price of accommodation, effective January 1, 2026, under the City of Charlottetown's Tourism Accommodation Levy Bylaw (2019-TAL-1). Set it as its own line in your booking engine and front desk system, and check older invoice templates that might still carry a different rate.
Which items get an HST rebate at a Charlottetown till?
Prince Edward Island's Revenue Tax Guide 197 lists point-of-sale rebates on books, children's clothing, children's footwear and heating oil. Everything else taxable carries the full 15% HST. Put each rebate group in its own tax category on your POS terminals, then ring up a test sale to confirm the totals.
Can I add a credit card surcharge to a Charlottetown guest's bill?
Yes, on Visa and Mastercard credit cards, up to 2.4% or your cost of acceptance, whichever is lower. Give 30 days' notice, post the surcharge at the entrance and where guests pay, and show it on the receipt. Debit and prepaid cards are excluded. Our guide to surcharging in Canada covers the details.
How do I take card payments away from my shop in Charlottetown?
Use tap to pay on a phone or a mobile card reader, both part of our mobile payments setup, so customers can tap or insert their card wherever you are. For orders taken by phone or email, a virtual terminal sends a payment link the customer pays from their own device.
Disclaimer: general information, not professional advice
This page is general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. Rules and rates vary by place and change, so confirm them with the official source and a qualified professional before you act. Full terms are in our Terms of Service.
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