Pennsylvania Considers Bill to Disrupt Credit Card Fees

Lawmakers propose removing sales tax from credit card interchange fees, raising concerns for consumers and businesses.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 5:36am

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Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a bill, HB 2090, that would attempt to remove sales tax from credit card interchange fees, a move that could disrupt the payment system millions of residents rely on every day. The proposed legislation has raised concerns among consumers and businesses about potential impacts on pricing and access to credit card services.

Why it matters

Credit card interchange fees are a significant cost for businesses, especially small and local enterprises. Removing the sales tax on these fees could lead to changes in pricing, acceptance policies, or availability of credit card services, potentially impacting consumers and the broader economy.

The details

HB 2090 aims to eliminate the sales tax applied to credit card interchange fees, which are the fees charged by card networks and banks to merchants for each credit card transaction. Proponents argue this could lower costs for businesses, but critics warn it could also lead to higher prices for consumers or reduced access to credit card payments.

  • The bill, HB 2090, is currently under consideration by Pennsylvania lawmakers.

The players

Pennsylvania Lawmakers

The state legislators in Pennsylvania who are considering HB 2090, a bill that would remove sales tax from credit card interchange fees.

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What’s next

The Pennsylvania legislature will continue to debate and potentially vote on HB 2090 in the coming months.

The takeaway

The proposed changes to credit card interchange fees in Pennsylvania could have far-reaching impacts on consumers, businesses, and the broader payment ecosystem, highlighting the complex and interconnected nature of financial regulations.