Canopy allows firms to manage which payment methods clients can use and—where allowed—apply credit card surcharges to client-initiated payments.
Surcharging only applies to credit cards, not debit cards, and may be unavailable depending on your firm’s location and payment processor.
Why it matters
Managing accepted payment methods and surcharges helps firms:
Control processing costs
Stay compliant with state and card-brand requirements
Ensure clients understand any fees before paying
Configure payment options to match firm workflows and cash-flow needs
Table of Contents
Access Billing and Payment Settings
Manage Acceptable Payment Methods
Enable surcharging for client-initiated payments
Important restrictions for surcharging
What clients see when surcharging is enabled
Summary
Need help?
Access Billing and Payment Settings
Click your Profile icon.
Select Settings.
Navigate to Billing Settings > Payments.
All configuration in this article—payment methods and surcharges—is handled from this page.
Manage Acceptable Payment Methods
Under Acceptable Payment Methods, toggle on/off:
ACH
Credit Card
Debit Card
Click Save changes, then review the confirmation pop-up. Click I understand to finalize.
Best Practice:
Review active engagements, recurring invoices, or client expectations before disabling a payment method.
Enable surcharging for client-initiated payments
In the Payments tab, toggle Enable surcharging for client portal payments to green.
Mastercard surcharge form
To comply with Mastercard rules:
Click the Mastercard hyperlink to open the Merchant Surcharge Form.
Complete the form. Mastercard requires surcharge registration 30 days before use.
In the Acquirer/Processor section of the form, enter Canopy as the company name. After submitting the form, click Completed in Canopy.
Canopy Tip:
Firms are responsible for maintaining compliance with Mastercard regulations.
Activation timeline
After submission, the toggle will display the date you completed the form.
Surcharging activates automatically 30 days after submission.
Important restrictions for surcharging
Surcharging applies only to credit card payments.
Not permitted for firms located in:
Colorado
Connecticut
Maine
Puerto Rico
Only available for firms using Canopy’s new third-party payment processor.
Surcharges do not apply to payments created manually by your firm (including recurring invoice payments).
Refunds: Refunds include both the transaction amount and the processing fee.
Scheduled payments: Surcharges are not included in recurring invoice payments.
Client-initiated only: Surcharges apply only when the client pays through the Client Portal.
Confirm whether surcharging is available: In the Payments settings tab, look for the Enable surcharging for client portal payments option.
If you see this toggle, surcharging is available in your region and with your payment processor.
If the toggle is missing, surcharging is not permitted or your processor does not support it.
What clients see when surcharging is enabled
The surcharging experience appears only on the Client Portal (browser)—not the mobile app.
The first time a client logs in after surcharging is active, they see a one-time notice explaining that credit card payments include a processing fee.
When making a payment, clients see the surcharge amount before confirming.
Your clients have visibility on what processing fee is charged when making a credit card payment.
Summary
The Payments settings page allows your firm to manage accepted payment methods and enable surcharging where permitted. Surcharging applies only to client-initiated credit card payments and requires compliance with state and Mastercard regulations. Adjusting payment methods and surcharge settings helps firms manage processing costs and guide clients toward preferred payment options.
Need help?
Contact Support or ask Penny, our AI Support Bot, for assistance.