Merchant category code
A Merchant Category Code (MCC) is a four-digit number listed in ISO 18245 for retail financial services. MCC is used to classify the business by the type of goods or services it provides. MCCs are assigned by merchant type (e.g. one for hotels, one for office supply stores, etc.) or by merchant name (e.g. 3000 for United Airlines).
A MCC is assigned to a merchant by the card company when the business first starts accepting cards as a form of payment.[1] The code reflects the primary category in which the merchant does business and may be used :
- by credit card companies to offer cash back rewards or reward points, for spending in specific categories.[2][3]
- by card networks to defined rules and restrictions with card transactions (by example, Automated Fuel Dispenser (MCC 5542) have specific rules for authorization and clearing messages).
In the United States, it can be used to determine whether or not a payment needs to be reported to the Internal Revenue Service for tax purposes.[4]
See also
References
- ^ VISA. "Merchant Category Codes" (PDF). usa.visa.com. USA. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 10, 2007.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Chase. "Welcome to AARP® Credit Card from Chase. Earn 3% Cash Back rewards on restaurant and gas station purchases (Terms)". Chase Bank. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ^ Discover. "Credit card rewards that really add up". Discover it. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
- ^ Internal Revenue Service (August 2, 2004). "Internal Revenue Bulletin: 2004-31, Rev. Proc. 2004-43, Merchant Category Codes to Determine Reportable Payment Card Transactions". IRS. USA.
External links
 | This business-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |