Learning Center
Practical basics on cards, ACH, and funding so you can read a statement, compare options, and walk into any conversation prepared, including with us.
Pick the topic that matches what you sell, then use the calculators to sanity-check fees or runway before you talk to any provider, us included.
When a customer taps or dips, authorization is instant, but settlement to your account is batch-driven and priced as interchange, assessments, and processor margin. Your “rate” is really an effective blend of those parts plus chargebacks and refunds.
ACH moves value through the banking network. It is usually cheaper than cards but has different return codes and timing. Great for invoices and recurring customers who trust you enough to authorize a bank debit.
Working capital and MCA-style products pull from your sales or bank activity. Cost is often expressed in factor or payback terms, not APR on a billboard. We walk through the actual dollars in and out so you can compare against other options on your desk.
Need capital, not just education?
If you already know what you need and are ready to put a file together, skip the reading.
Every card below links to a program page with context and a short intake so you reach the right team. For capital or the combined funding-and-payments file, use the footer links (homepage quote or full application). See our disclosure for partner relationships.
Entity, EIN, banking, licenses, and when to add card or ACH.
Open programDurbin, EMV, surcharge law, and every rule that shaped what merchants pay today.
Open program
ERC, WOTC, and R&D basics, and when to involve a CPA.
Open program
Compliant in-store pricing that trims effective card cost.
Open program
Bank debits for invoices and subscriptions.
Open program
Terminals, gateways, and presentment done right.
Open program
Underwriting that matches your MCC and ticket profile.
Open program
Checkout, wallets, and gateway implementation.
Open program
Structured files for scrutinized categories.
Open program
Formation, banking, and compliance before you fund or take cards. We link to partners such as Incfile where we may earn a commission. See our disclosure.
Merchant Category Codes describe what you sell for card networks and banks. Search by 4-digit code or keyword. This list is a practical subset, not every code. Your processor confirms the MCC at boarding.
How and where a card is presented determines your rates, your fraud exposure, and which payment methods you can accept. Card-present (in-person) is almost always cheaper and lower-risk than card-not-present (online).
The card (or device) is physically tapped, dipped, or swiped at a terminal. The network can verify the chip or NFC token, so interchange is significantly lower than online. Typical effective rates: 1.5%–2.5%.
Accepted methods
· EMV chip or NFC token verified at point of sale
· Counterfeit fraud liability on merchant if no chip reader (post 2015 shift)
· Chargebacks still possible, but fraud-based disputes are rarer
Card details are entered online, over the phone, or via a payment link. No physical verification is possible, so networks charge more and fraud is far more common. Typical effective rates: 2.2%–3.5%+.
Accepted methods
· 3D Secure (3DS) adds friction but shifts fraud liability to issuer
· AVS and CVV checks required — failures raise decline rates
· Chargeback rates above 1% trigger processor reviews and reserves
Typical interchange range by environment
Interchange rates are set by card networks and vary by card type, MCC, and ticket size. These are illustrative ranges only — your actual rate depends on your merchant category, processor, and card mix.
Want to understand why these rules exist? Read the U.S. payment regulation timeline — from the Durbin Amendment to EMV, plain English.
Rough estimates only. Use them to frame the right questions — with us or any other provider. Not tax, legal, or investment advice.
Add your monthly card volume and total processing charges from a recent statement (fees + assessments + interchange as reported). This is a sanity check, not a quote.
Implied effective rate
2.40%
≈ $1,200 / month on $50,000 volume
Operating cash in the bank vs. average monthly cash expenses (payroll, rent, COGS outflows). Not tax or accounting advice. Just a directional view.
Approx. runway
79 days
Rule of thumb: cash ÷ (monthly burn ÷ 30). Plug in your real numbers with your CFO or bookkeeper.
If you assume an all-in effective rate, what does that imply monthly? Compare to ACH or cash-discount options when you talk to us. Not a promise of savings.
Implied monthly card cost ≈ $2,320
Numbers make more sense now?
If what you calculated raised a question worth answering, that is exactly when to talk. Use the form below or jump straight to the funding application.
Learning Center
Tell us which product you are exploring and how we should follow up.
By submitting, you agree we may contact you about Dosh products. See Privacy Policy.
