QuickBooks POS Merchant Service

Q: How do I apply for QuickBooks POS Merchant Service?
A: The application takes only about 10 minutes to complete and submit.
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Q: What will I need to apply?
A: You must be an owner/principal of the merchant business and at least 18 years of age to complete the application.

Please have the following information available:

• Addresses
• Telephone numbers
• Fax numbers
• E-mail addresses
• Social Security numbers (for owners/principals)
• Business banking information (have a check handy)
• Federal Tax ID (for Corporations, LLS's and Partnerships), or your Social Security number (for Sole Proprietors)
• Estimated monthly credit and debit card sales volume
• Existing card processing information (if applicable)

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Q: How long does the application-approval process take?
A: Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by our credit underwriting department. In most cases, you'll receive a decision via e-mail within two business days (often quicker).

Occasionally, a business will be asked to supply additional information. After receipt of the requested information, you will be notified of a decision via e-mail within one to five additional business days.
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Q: How do I find out the status of my application?
A: If you've already applied and have questions on the status of your application, send an e-mail to app-status@intuit.com or call (800) 558-9558. Please include your application number, business name, address, and the e-mail address used in your application.
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Q: How long does the activation process take?
A: Upon approval, your new merchant account must be activated at the bank and throughout the processing network. Typically, this takes about two days. You will receive an e-mail notifying you when your account has been activated. At that point, you can start processing credit cards.
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Q: Why should I use a service that is integrated?
A: Other merchant services make you do a lot more work. First, you have to process the sale in your terminal, and then manually record it in your QuickBooks POS software. At the end of the day, you have to reconcile transactions between your terminal and your software. If you're off by even a penny, you could be searching for hours for the mistake. With QuickBooks POS Merchant Service you can authorize, process and record sales in ONE step—right in your POS software. In addition, now you can more easily reconcile your POS transactions in QuickBooks financial software. POS transactions now appear in your QuickBooks Payments to Deposits screens grouped in batches. This means no more sifting through individual transactions to determine which ones fall under which batch of the day.¹
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Q: How much does the service cost?
A: For pricing details, click here.
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Q: What if I have multiple locations?

A: You will need to apply for a separate merchant account for each location, although you may choose to get a consolidated merchant account statement with the QuickBooks POS Merchant Service. Credit approval is required for each location and purchase of QuickBooks Point of Sale Pro Multi-Store software (available for purchase separately) is recommended.

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Q: Why can't I use the same merchant account across store locations?

A: Visa, MasterCard & Discover® Network associations require each merchant location accepting their credit cards to have a separate merchant account. Separate merchant accounts also help reduce the possibility of chargeback to you by increasing the accuracy of processing and reporting to the card holder. The City and State you specify on your merchant account application is part of the transaction description that shows up on the card holder's statement. In the event that the card holder purchases items from a location city that is not the one on your merchant account record, he/she may not recognize the transaction thus resulting in a chargeback to you.

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Q: How do I apply for multiple merchant accounts?

A: You may apply for each merchant account by using our online application or by calling a sales representative at (800) 926-6066.

If you have already applied for or have been issued a merchant account for your primary store location for less than six months, you may qualify to apply for merchant accounts for other store locations of the same business type (SIC code) by sending in the Multiple Location Addendum form. To download the form, please click on the link above and save to your computer. Subsequently print, complete, sign, and fax the form along with any necessary artifacts (if specifying different bank deposit accounts you would need to fax in a bank letter and an imprinted check) to (818) 936-7898, Attn: Data Entry Department. If you do not receive a confirmation of receipt from IMS within 48 hours, please call us at (800) 558-9558.

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Q: Is there special pricing for multiple accounts?

A: Yes. Your primary account is at standard pricing, however additional store locations will receive an $8 discount on the monthly fee from $17.95 to $9.95. In addition, the setup fee of $50 will be waived for all additional store locations. See multi-store special pricing.

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Q: Are there any requirements for multi-store special pricing?

A: Yes. Additional store locations must be of the same SIC code or business type to qualify for multi-store special pricing. In addition, you must be using QuickBooks Point of Sale Pro Multi-Store (v4 or later) software. Consult your sales rep if you need POS Multi-store software.

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Q: Can the service accept payments from an e-commerce site?
A: Yes. QuickBooks POS Merchant Service can accept credit card payments from your e-commerce Web site, though the transactions will need to be keyed into the QuickBooks POS Merchant Service software for processing. (At this time, there is no direct integration with e-commerce sites.) Transactions keyed into the software will be charged a higher rate than swiped transactions. Please refer to the Pricing Information section for a listing of rates and fees.
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Q: What credit cards are accepted? Can I also accept debit cards?
A: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Network and JCB can be accepted. Debit cards can also be accepted. To benefit from the lower rate you will need a PIN pad.
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Q: Can I use my existing merchant account?
A: You can, but your existing merchant account can not be completely integrated with your QuickBooks Point of Sale software. To fully integrate your card transactions into your software, apply for the QuickBooks POS Merchant Service.
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Q: How quickly are my funds transferred into my account?
A: Funds are typically deposited into your bank account within 2-3 business days.²
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Q: How long does a typical transaction take?
A:Typically, transactions are fast and take only seconds.
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Q: Will I need to purchase additional equipment?
A: To process credit cards directly through your QuickBooks POS software you will need the card reader included in the QuickBooks POS Solution for Retailers hardware bundle. The card reader can also be purchased separately. To process PIN debit transactions, you will need a PIN pad. To order the card reader or PIN Pad, please call: (800) 926-6066. Card Reader Details
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Q: How do I connect for processing? Do I need a separate phone line?
A: You have two options:

1. You can set up your QuickBooks POS Merchant Service to submit transactions over the Internet—eliminating the need for a separate phone line.
2. You can submit transactions directly via a modem.

The choice is yours.³
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Q: Can I use my existing credit card terminal?
A: No. Standard credit card terminals cannot be used with QuickBooks POS Merchant Service. To swipe and process credit cards directly through your QuickBooks POS software you will need the card reader included in the QuickBooks POS Solution for Retailers hardware bundle. The card reader can also be purchased separately. To process PIN debit transactions, you will need a PIN pad. To order the card reader or PIN Pad, please call: (800) 926-6066.
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Q: Can I keep my existing bank account?
A: Yes, you can have your credit and debit card payments deposited into any bank account that accepts electronic funds transfer (EFT). Funds are deposited from your merchant account into your existing bank account.
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Q: What type of bank account do I need?
A: A business checking account is preferred; however, if you do not have a business account, a personal account that is primarily used for the business and is in the owner's name is acceptable. Your bank must allow this account to be credited and debited via electronic funds transfer (EFT).
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Q: What are the rate differences between swiping and keying?
A: Different rates in credit card processing are based on the transaction's potential for fraud, listed below from least to most risky:

• The safest transaction is via PIN debit. Since the cardholder enters a Personal Identification Number, the potential for fraud is very low. As a result, the cost to the merchant is the lowest.
• Qualified, or card-swiped, transactions are generally ones where the card is present at the time of sale and is physically swiped through a card reader or terminal, and is electronically authorized.
• Mid-Qualified, or keyed, transactions are generally ones where the card information is keyed in by hand, and secondary information is verified (for example, the cardholder's address).
• Non-Qualified transactions are generally ones that do not meet the requirements for Swiped or Mid-Qualified rates, are Corporate, Business, Purchasing, or Foreign Credit Cards, or do not meet Visa/MC/Discover Network requirements for the best interchange program. Non-qualified rates are the highest because they have the most risk of fraud.

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Q: Who is IMS?
A: Founded in 1999, Innovative Merchant Solutions (IMS) offers a full range of merchant services to small businesses nationwide, including credit and debit card processing. Intuit Inc. acquired IMS in order to provide a better experience for merchants and their customers.
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