Credit card processing and merchant services in Rochester, NY
Rochester sales carry Monroe County's 8% combined rate. If you pass card costs on to customers, New York wants the card price itself on the menu or tag, not a percentage notice.
Monroe County's combined sales tax is 8%, the 4% state rate plus 4% local, according to Publication 718, New York's rate list effective March 1, 2025. That's the number a Rochester register should charge on taxable sales. It's also three-quarters of a point under Erie County's 8.75%, so a business with stores in both Rochester and Buffalo needs a separate tax setting at each.
Passing card costs on takes more care in New York than in most places, because the state's law is about the price the customer sees. Say a cafe sells a sandwich for $10.00 and its card costs run about 3%. A menu line reading "3% added for cards" falls short of the Department of State's guidance. Printing $10.30 as the card price, alone or beside the $10.00 cash price, meets it. Two-tier pricing like that is allowed, and so is a cash discount off a posted card price.
Cash is the other statewide rule. Since March 2026, food stores and retail establishments in New York must accept it, so a Rochester counter can't simply go card-only. The New York page has both laws and their sources, and our guide to dual pricing vs. surcharging compares the two pricing approaches.
Rochester had 206,108 residents in the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimate. Shops and restaurants can use our POS terminals for chip, tap and swipe. If you bill clients by phone or email, the virtual terminal sends invoices and payment links and runs recurring billing.
Every account is priced on interchange-plus with a dedicated rep. A free statement review tells you what your cards really cost, and in New York that figure also caps any surcharge you add.
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Common questions
What is the sales tax rate in Rochester, NY?
8% on taxable sales, Monroe County's combined rate in Publication 718, effective March 1, 2025. It includes the 4% state rate. If you open a location in another county, take its rate from the same list; Erie County, which includes Buffalo, is at 8.75%.
How should a Rochester restaurant show a card surcharge on its menu?
Print the card price itself. New York's Department of State says a percentage notice on a menu or price tag doesn't comply, and neither does a fee that first appears on the receipt. List the card price alone or next to the cash price, keep the difference at or below your card cost, and see our surcharging program for setup help.
Is a cash discount simpler than a surcharge in Rochester?
Often. The Department of State lists a discount for cash off the posted card price as a compliant approach, and two-tier pricing is expressly allowed. Either way, the card price has to be posted before checkout. Our guide to dual pricing vs. surcharging walks through both options.
Can my Rochester business take card payments by phone or email?
Yes. A virtual terminal lets your staff key in a card over the phone, email an invoice or payment link, and set up recurring billing. New York's cash law lets you refuse cash on phone, mail and online orders unless the customer pays on your premises.
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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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