Payment Terms

Last Updated: September 18, 2024

Information Summary Box for Card Payments

Date of Contract

The date of your contract with Square begins on the date you sign up for your Square Account.  There is no fixed term, and you may cancel without penalty at any time.

Acquirer

For debit processing through the Interac Corp. network:

Everlink Payment Services Inc.
125 Commerce Valley Dr W Ste. 100,
Thornhill, ON L3T 7W4, Canada
1-866-388-0076
http://www.everlink.ca/

for credit and debit processing over the Visa Merchant Direct Exchange or Mastercard Interface Processor networks:

Square Canada, Inc.
5000 Yonge Street, Suite 1501
Toronto, ON M2N 7E9, Canada
1-855-700-6000
www.squareup.com/ca

for American Express card processing:

Amex Bank of Canada
P.O. Box 3204, Station F
Toronto, ON M1W 3W7
1-800-268-9877
www.americanexpress.com/ca/

and for all other payment processing:

Chase Paymentech Canada
100 Consilium Place
Scarborough, ON M1H 3E3, Canada
1-877-552-5533
https://en.chasepaymentech.ca/

Cancellation of contract(s) and any applicable penalties

You may cancel your Square Account at any time and without penalty by clicking the “Deactivate Your Account” link in the Account & Settings tab of your Square Dashboard.  For more information, click here.

For the avoidance of doubt, you also may cancel your Square Account without penalty in the event of:

  • a fee increase, except one made in accordance with a pre-determined fee schedule in your contract;
  • the introduction of a new fee; or
  • a reduction in applicable interchange rates that is not fully passed on to the merchant.

To do so, you may cancel your Square Account at any time, including within 90 days of the date of receiving notice of:

  • the fee increase;
  • the introduction of a new fee; or
  • the reduction of the applicable interchange fees.

Complaint handling procedures

Please contact Square Support, including by telephone at 1-855-700-6000 or through the Support Centre reached via your Square Dashboard.

Information about payment terminal

Square offers payment terminals for purchase.  Square does not offer leasing or renting options for payment terminals.  Information on purchasing Square payment terminals can be found here.  

Contactless payments acceptance

Contactless payments have been enabled at the point-of-sale on Square’s Contactless + Chip, Reader, Terminal and Stand for the following payment card networks:

  • American Express
  • Discover
  • Interac
  • MasterCard
  • Visa

Transaction return policy

You may process refunds or returns through Square within 120 days of the transaction date.  When you do so, your customer will be refunded their full purchase amount. You will not be refunded Square’s applicable payment processing fee. More information on Square’s refund process can be found here.

Independent sales organization or referral agent (where applicable)

Not applicable.

Information about credit and debit card service providers (if different from the acquirer)

See Acquirer section for details.


Code of Conduct

Square complies with the Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry in Canada. You can find the Code of Conduct here.

Statements

You can access and download statements and custom sales summaries free of charge from the “Sales” tab in your on-line Square Dashboard.  

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Fee Disclosure Box

More information on Square’s fees can be found here and, for fees relating to Square Appointments, here.

**July 19, 2024 Interchange Reduction Notice**: Visa and Mastercard will reduce domestic consumer credit interchange fees for in-person and online transactions for eligible small businesses, effective October 19, 2024. For details on the specific interchange rate reductions, please refer to Section 26 of these Payment Terms.

As a result, starting on October 21, 2024, Square will be lowering its standard credit card processing fees for in-person and online transactions, as well as online processing rates for debit transactions. This Fee Disclosure Box displays the new processing rates for applicable credit and debit transactions that will take effect on October 21, 2024. For standard processing rates in effect until then, please refer to this link: https://squareup.com/ca/en/legal/general/payment-archive-ca

Although these changes represent a significant pass through in savings for our sellers, this may not necessarily represent a full pass-through on a per-transaction basis as card network fees are complex and vary by card mix and transaction type. Subject to the cancellation rights outlined under any other agreement you may have with Square, the Information Summary Box above outlines our contract cancellation policies in relation to the interchange-related termination rights under the Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry in Canada.

Payment Card Type

These are the most common types of domestically issued cards and their processing methods. They do not represent all the possible fees and variations that are charged to merchants.

Processing Method

Card/Device Present

Means that card/ device was electronically read at the point of sale (contact or contactless interface or mag-stripe).

Card/Device Not Present

Means that card/ device was not electronically read at the point of sale. Generally, the seller initiates the transaction and/or enters the card information (e.g. manually key-entered, mail/ telephone order, recurring payment).

Card/Device Not Present -- e-commerce

Means that card/device was not electronically read at the point of sale. Generally, the buyer initiates the transaction and/or enters the card information in an e-commerce environment (e.g., online payment, prepayment, no-show fee).

Interac debit cards

0.75% + 7¢

N/A

2.8% + 30¢

American Express Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

American Express Prepaid Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

Discover Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

Discover Prepaid Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

JCB Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

JCB Prepaid Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

MasterCard Business Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

MasterCard Core Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

MasterCard Corporate Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

MasterCard Debit Cards

N/A

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

MasterCard Prepaid Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

MasterCard World Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

MasterCard World Elite Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

Visa Business Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

Visa Business Premium Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

Visa Corporate Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

Visa Corporate Premium Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

Visa Debit Cards

N/A

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

Visa Infinite Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

Visa Infinite Privilege Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

Visa Prepaid Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

Visa Standard Credit Cards

2.5%

3.3% + 15¢

2.8% + 30¢

By using Square Canada, Inc. (“Square Canada”) or Square Technologies, Inc. (“Square Technologies” and together with Square Canada, collectively and individually according to context, “Square” “we,” “our,” or “us”) card payment processing services and other non-card payment methods that Square may offer from time to time (“Payment Services”), you agree to be bound by the General Terms of Service (“General Terms”) and these additional terms and conditions (“Payment Terms”). If you are using the Payment Services on behalf of a business, you agree that you accept all these terms and have authority to enter into these terms on behalf of that business. Payment Services may only be used for business purposes within the provinces and territories of Canada. Defined terms not otherwise defined herein will have the same meaning as those found in the General Terms.

Payment Services

1. Our Role

Square is a payment facilitator and acquirer that allows you to accept Cards (as defined below) from customers and offer other non-Card payment methods (such as Afterpay) from time to time (“Other Payment Methods”) for the payment for goods and services. We are not a financial institution as defined in the Bank Act (Canada) and do not offer banking services as defined by the United States Department of Treasury. Square Canada’s Payment Services allow you to accept payments from any Canadian issued and most non-Canadian issued credit, debit, prepaid, or gift cards (collectively, “Cards”) bearing the trademark of the American Express Company, Inc. (“American Express”), along with credit and debit card payments bearing the trademark of Visa Inc. (“Visa”) processed using the Visa Merchant Direct Exchange, credit and debit card payments bearing the trademark of Mastercard Inc. (“Mastercard”) processed using the Mastercard Interface Processor and debit card payments on the Interac Corp. network (“Interac”) and through Other Payment Methods. Our Payment Services allow you to accept payments from Cards bearing the trademarks of Discover Financial Services, Inc. (“Discover”) and JCB Co., Ltd. (“JCB”), (together with American Express, Visa, Mastercard and Interac and their respective affiliates, collectively, the “Networks”). By accepting or otherwise agreeing to these Payment Terms, you agree to accept all of these payment methods from the Networks. We may remove or add Cards or Other Payment Methods that we accept at any time without prior notice. If at any time you decide you no longer want to accept one or more of the payment methods from one or more Networks, or no longer want to accept Other Payment Methods, you may cancel or, in the case of Other Payment Methods, opt-out, without penalty.

In order to serve in this role, we must enter into agreements with Networks, processors, acquiring banks and other providers. In some cases, the Networks require that any person that signs up for a Square Account to use Payment Services (a “Seller”) and processes more than Network specified amounts of Card sales enter into an agreement directly with Square’s acquiring bank. By accepting or otherwise agreeing to these Payment Terms, you agree to the terms and conditions of the “Commercial Entity Agreement” effective as of the date you process such specified amounts. If you fail to agree to the Commercial Entity Agreement, we may suspend or terminate your Square Account. Similarly, if American Express considers you to be a high value customer, it may require that you maintain your agreement directly with American Express and designate Square as your agent for American Express payments. If that is the case, we will notify you of such requirement.

Offline Payments

When you enable Offline Payments, your POS approves payments before the money is received from the Buyer’s account. That means it is possible that you will not receive the money for the goods that are taken by the Buyer. There’s also a higher risk that card fraud goes undetected. You acknowledge the increased risk of expired or declined transactions, chargebacks, and disputes related to payments that you process offline and agree to be fully liable for them. Square does not have the ability to contact any customers on your behalf should a payment be declined or expire when taken with Offline Payments. You can reduce your exposure by setting a transaction limit before you take offline payments.

Both the duration of your offline payment session and expiration timing of payments taken during the offline session varies depending on Square hardware, connected hardware and payment type. You must always reconnect to the internet within the specified timeframe for your transaction type for payments to process.

Square Gift Cards and Interac Debit transactions are not supported for Offline Payments.

2. Your Authorization

In connection with the Payment Services, you authorize us to act as your agent for the limited purposes of holding, receiving, and disbursing funds on your behalf. Your authorization permits us to generate a paper draft or an electronic funds transfer to settle the proceeds of each Card and Other Payment Method transaction that you authorize, less any applicable Fees (as defined in Section 4) (“Proceeds”). Your authorizations will remain in full force and effect until your Square Account is closed or terminated. Our receipt of transaction funds satisfies your customer’s obligations to make payment to you. We will remit to you funds actually received by us on your behalf, less amounts owed to us, subject to any Chargeback (as defined in Section 19) or Reserve (as defined in Section 15) withheld or applied. This authorization also permits us to debit any of your linked bank accounts at any time for the purposes specified in these Payment Terms and the General Terms. You also agree to be bound by any applicable rules of Payments Canada.

3. Prohibited Industries

You may not use the Payment Services for the following businesses or business activities: (1) any illegal activity or goods, (2) paraphernalia that may be used for illegal activity, (3) buyers or membership clubs, including dues associated with such clubs, (4) credit counseling or credit repair agencies, (5) credit protection or identity theft protection services, (6) direct marketing or subscription offers or services, (7) infomercial sales, (8) internet/mail order/telephone order pharmacies or pharmacy referral services (where fulfillment of medication is performed with an internet or telephone consultation, absent a physical visit, including re-importation of pharmaceuticals from foreign countries), (9) unauthorized multi-level marketing businesses, (10) inbound or outbound telemarketers, (11) prepaid phone cards or phone services, (12) rebate based businesses, (13) up-sell merchants, (14) bill payment services, (15) betting, including lottery tickets, sports related gambling, casino gaming chips, off-track betting, and wagers at races, (16) manual or automated cash disbursements, (17) prepaid cards, cheques, insurance or other financial merchandise or services, (18) sales of money-orders or foreign currency, (19) wire transfer money orders, (20) high-risk products and services, including telemarketing sales, (21) automated fuel dispensers, (22) adult entertainment oriented products or services (in any medium, including internet, telephone, or printed material), (23) sales of (i) firearms, firearm parts or hardware, and ammunition; or (ii) weapons and other devices designed to cause physical injury (24) internet/mail order/telephone order of age restricted products (e.g., beer, wine), (25) cigarettes or tobacco, (26) occult materials, (27) hate or harmful products, (28) escort services, (29) bankruptcy lawyers or collection agencies engaged in the collection of debt, or (30) travel agency services.

In addition, Other Payment Methods that we offer may have additional restrictions. Please review the terms provided for the specific Other Payment Method for further details.

4. Our Fees

You agree to pay the applicable fees listed in these Payment Terms, on our Fee Schedule, and as described in your Dashboard for Card payments and Other Payment Methods (“Fees”) for use of the applicable Payment Services. All Fees are charged at the time we process a transaction and are deducted first from the transferred or collected funds and thereafter from the Balance (as defined in Section 15) in your Square Account. Subject to the General Terms and these Payment Terms, we reserve the right to change our Fees upon notice that we deem reasonable in the circumstances or as may be required by applicable law and codes of conduct. You must agree to the change in Fees to continue to use the Payment Services. All Balances and all Fees, charges, and payments collected or paid through the Payment Services are denominated in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise specified.

Note that Fees associated with Other Payment Methods, such as Afterpay, are subject to separate fee schedules. Please visit your Dashboard for further details.

5. Processing Errors

We will attempt to fix processing errors we discover. If the error resulted in your receipt of fewer funds than you were entitled, we will credit your Square Account for the difference. If the error results in your receipt of more funds than you were entitled, Square will debit the extra funds from your Square Account or your linked bank account. You are responsible for monitoring your transactions and ensuring that our payments to you are correct. You must notify us of any errors in payments made to you within sixty (60) days of the error first appearing on your electronic transaction history. Failure to notify us of a processing error within sixty (60) days will be deemed a waiver of any right to the amount applicable to the error. We will only correct transactions that you process incorrectly if you notify us of such an error.

6. Other Payment Methods

In addition to Card acceptance, Square may offer Other Payment methods to you. We may add or remove such Other Payment Methods at any time upon reasonable notice to you. Additional payment methods are subject to additional terms as follows:

Afterpay - Afterpay is a Payment Service provided by Afterpay Canada Limited or its affiliates that allows you to offer your customers the ability to pay for goods or services in installments. By enabling and offering Afterpay, you agree to the Afterpay Merchant Terms and Conditions.

Payment Account Setup

7. Square Account Registration for Payment Services

You must open a Square Account to access any Proceeds. You confirm that you are either a legal resident of Canada, a Canadian citizen, or a business entity authorized to conduct business by the province(s) or territory(ies) in which you operate and that you are an authorized signatory for the business you represent. You must use your or your business’ true and accurate name when opening a Square Account. This name will appear on the credit or debit card statements of your customers for all applicable payments you accept using the Payment Services. If a transaction dispute results from your failure to use a reasonably descriptive user name, you agree to indemnify Square for any costs stemming from such dispute.

8. Underwriting and Identity Verification

Square will review the information you submit while signing up for the Payment Services. You authorize Square to request identity verifying information about you, including, but not limited to, (a) a consumer and/or credit report that contains your name and address and may contain “credit information” such as age, occupation, place of residence, previous places of residence, marital status, spouse’s name and age, number of dependants, particulars of education or professional qualifications, places of employment, previous places of employment, estimated income, paying habits, outstanding debt obligations, cost of living obligations and assets and other personal information, and (b) to the extent applicable, a confirmation from the appropriate governmental authority of your corporation’s legal existence. Square may periodically obtain additional reports to determine whether you continue to meet the requirements for a Square Account. You permit Square to share information about you and your application (including whether you are approved or declined), and your Square Account with your bank or other financial institution, or as otherwise specified in the Privacy Policy. Square or its processor and/or acquiring bank, which may or may not be located in Canada, may conclude that you will not be permitted to use the Payment Services.

9. Requests for Additional Information and Inspection

Square may request additional information from you at any time. For example, Square may ask you to present invoices from your suppliers, a government issued identification such as a passport or driver’s license, a business license, or other information. Square may also ask for permission to inspect your business location. If you refuse any of these requests, your Square Account may be suspended or terminated.

Use of your Square Account for Payment Services

10. Access to Proceeds

We will settle Proceeds to your verified bank account, subject to the payout schedule described in Section 12. If Square is not able to debit or credit the bank account you link to your Square Account, that bank account will be de-linked from your Square Account. If you do not have an ACSS-enabled bank account linked to your Square Account, you may request a physical cheque for Proceeds. Cheque requests may be subject to a processing fee and an identity verification process. You must request a cheque or link an ACSS-enabled bank account to your Square Account in order to receive your Proceeds.

11. Right of Setoff

To the extent permitted by applicable law, you grant us a security interest in, as well as a right of setoff against, and assign, convey, deliver, pledge and transfer to us, as security for repayment of any obligations due under these Payment Terms, all of your right, title, and interest in and to all of your accounts with us. You authorize us, without prior notice to you and irrespective of (i) whether we have made demand under these Payment Terms or any other related agreements; and (ii) whether the obligation is contingent, matured or unmatured, to the extent permitted by law, to collect, charge, and/or setoff all sums owing on the indebtedness against any and all such accounts and other obligations, and our option, to administratively freeze or direct any third party bank holding the account to freeze all such accounts to allow us to protect our security interest, collection, charge and setoff rights as provided for in this section. For clarity, you agree that Square Canada may setoff amounts owed against funds held or processed by Square Technologies and that we may setoff amounts owed against funds held or processed by Square Canada or Square Technologies.

12. Payout Schedule

Square will automatically initiate a payout of Proceeds to your valid, linked Canadian bank account at the end of the business day. If you adjust your business’s close of day to a custom time, Square will group Proceeds for the 24-hour period preceding your custom time and initiate a payout at the end of that business day. Square will initiate a payout of Proceeds received on non-business days before the next business day.

13. Availability of Proceeds

We may defer payout or restrict access to your Proceeds if we need to conduct an investigation or resolve any pending dispute related to your use of the Services. We also may defer payout or restrict access to your Proceeds as necessary to comply with applicable law or court order, or if requested by any governmental entity.

14. Square Account History

When a payment is made to your Square Account, we will update your Square Account activity on the website and provide you a transaction confirmation. The confirmation will serve as your receipt. Summaries of your Square Account activity, including monthly statements, are available on our website for up to one year of account activity. Except as required by law, you are solely responsible for (a) compiling and retaining permanent records of all transactions and other data associated with your Square Account and your use of the Payment Services, and (b) reconciling all transactional information that is associated with your Square Account. If you believe that there is an error or unauthorized transaction activity is associated with your Square Account, you must contact us immediately.

15. Reserve for Holding Funds

We may withhold funds by temporarily suspending or delaying payment of Proceeds to you and/or designate an amount of funds that you must maintain in your Square Accounts or in a separate reserve account (a “Reserve”) to secure the performance of your obligations under any agreement between you and Square. We may require a Reserve for any reason related to your use of the Services. The Reserve will be in an amount as reasonably determined by us to cover potential losses to Square. The Reserve may be raised, reduced or removed at any time by Square, in its sole discretion, based on your payment history, a credit review, the amount of any arbitration award or court judgment against you in Square’s favor, or otherwise as Square or its processor may determine or require. If you do not have sufficient funds in your Reserve, we may fund the Reserve from any funding source associated with your Square Accounts, including any funds (a) transferred by you, (b) due to you, or (c) available in your bank account, or other payment instrument registered with us. Upon acceptance of these Payment Terms, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted Square’s Pre-Authorized Debit Agreement. You agree to execute any additional documentation as may be required from time to time for us to debit your bank account as described in these Payment Terms. You grant us a security interest in and lien on any and all funds held in any Reserve, and also authorize us to make any withdrawals or debits from the Reserve or any bank account linked to any of your Square Accounts, without prior notice to you, to collect amounts that you owe us. You will execute any additional documentation required for us to perfect our security interest in any funds in the Reserve. This security interest survives for as long as we hold funds in your Reserve.

16. Square Account Balances

While you have funds in your Square Account including but not limited to funds held within one or more folders (“Folders”) within your Square Account (together, your “Balance”), your Balance will be co-mingled and held with other participants’ funds in one or more pooled accounts at one or more banks by us on your behalf and for the benefit of you and others holding balances (each a “Pooled Account”). In the case of funds held in one or more Folders, Square will hold such funds in a Pooled Account separate and apart from its corporate funds and, subject to Square’s interest-earning rights detailed below, will not use such funds for corporate purposes. You acknowledge and agree that the value of the Balance is limited to the funds available in your Square Account from time to time. The funds associated with or accessible in your Balance are not a deposit and do not constitute evidence of indebtedness or liability by us to you, except to honour Proceeds as provided for in these terms. The funds associated with your Balance are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government deposit insurer or agency and you will not receive any interest or other earnings or returns on any funds that we handle for you. We have sole discretion over the establishment and maintenance of any Pooled Account. We will not voluntarily make funds available to our creditors in the event of bankruptcy or for any other purpose. You will not receive interest or any other earnings on any funds that we handle for you. As consideration for using the Payment Services, you irrevocably assign to us all rights and legal interests to any interest and/or other earnings that may accrue or are attributable to our holding of your Balance in a Pooled Account or Reserve.

If enabled, you may also choose to allocate a set percentage of any Proceeds you process through Square daily, if any, to a specific Folder of your choosing (“Automated Contributions”). By default any Proceeds will be placed in your payment balance “Payment Balance or Default Folder” and will be settled to your verified bank account as described in Section 10, subject to the payout schedule described in Section 12. If you create any Folders and choose to allocate a set percentage of any Proceeds to such Folders, such Proceeds will be held in your Balance until you initiate a transfer (note that Proceeds held in any Folder other than your Payment Balance will not be settled as described in Section 10). You can only allocate Proceeds to a Folder via Automated Contributions. You will be able to initiate a settlement to your verified bank account from any Folder as described in Section 10.

You can choose to enable this feature, adjust your feature settings, and/or discontinue use of this feature by logging onto your Square Dashboard and following the appropriate prompts. If you choose to discontinue use of this feature, it may take as long as ten (10) business days to complete your request, so any allocations scheduled during this period may be initiated. In the event your Square Account is deactivated or frozen, allocation of Proceeds among any Folders within your Balance will be subject to Square’s standard process in respect of settlement of Proceeds held in your Square Balance.

17. Our Set-off Rights

To the extent permitted by law, we may set off against the Balances for any obligation you owe us under any agreement with Square (e.g., Chargebacks or refunds). If you owe us an amount that exceeds your Balance, we may charge or debit a payment instrument registered in your Square Account or any connected Square Account (as well as set off against any Balance in any connected Square Account). Your failure to fully pay amounts that you owe us on demand will be a breach of these terms. You are liable for any of our costs associated with collection in addition to any amounts owed, including legal fees and expenses, and collection agency fees.

18. Dormant Square Accounts

If you do not process payments through your Square Account for an extended period of time or have not linked a valid bank account, you may have a Balance that is deemed “unclaimed” or “abandoned” under your province’s law. If this occurs, Square will provide you with notice as required by applicable law and instructions for how to transfer your Balance. If funds still remain in your Square Account, Square will transfer such funds to the applicable provincial government as required by applicable law or, as permitted, to Square.

Chargebacks

19. Your Liability for Chargebacks

There may be times when your customer may not be the authorized user of the Card or Other Payment Method, or your customer may otherwise contest the transaction. In these instances, the amount of a transaction may be reversed or charged back to your Square Accounts (a “Chargeback”) if the transaction (a) is disputed, (b) is reversed for any reason by the Network, our processor, or a customer or its financial institution, (c) was not authorized or we have any reason to believe that the transaction was not authorized, or (d) is allegedly unlawful, suspicious, or in violation of these terms. You agree to comply with the Chargeback process and to the liability associated with such Chargebacks.

20. Our Collection Rights for Chargebacks

For any transaction that results in a Chargeback, we may withhold the Chargeback amount in a Reserve. We may recoup the amount of any Chargeback and any associated Fees, fines, or penalties listed in the Fee Schedule or assessed by a Network or our processor from your Square Accounts (including any Reserve), any proceeds due to you, or any bank account or other payment instrument linked to any of your Square Accounts. If you have pending Chargebacks, we may delay payouts from your Square Account. Further, if we reasonably believe that a Chargeback is likely with respect to any transaction, we may withhold the amount of the potential Chargeback from payments otherwise due to you until such time that: (a) a Chargeback is assessed due to a customer complaint, in which case we will retain the funds; (b) the period of time under applicable law or regulation by which your customer may dispute that the transaction has expired; or (c) we determine that a Chargeback on the transaction will not occur. If we are unable to recover funds related to a Chargeback for which you are liable, you agree to pay us the full amount of the Chargeback immediately upon demand. You agree to pay all costs and expenses, including legal fees and expenses, incurred by us for the collection of all amounts unpaid by you.

21. Excessive Chargebacks

If we believe you might incur, or you are incurring, an excessive amount of Chargebacks, we may establish additional conditions governing your Square Account, including (a) establishing new processing fees, (b) creating a Reserve in an amount reasonably determined by us to cover anticipated Chargebacks and related fees, (c) delaying payouts, or (d) terminating or suspending the Payment Services.

22. Contesting Chargebacks

You will assist us when requested, at your expense, to investigate any of your transactions processed through the Payment Services. To that end, you permit us to share information about a Chargeback with the customer, the customer’s financial institution, and your financial institution in order to investigate and/or mediate a Chargeback. We will request necessary information from you to contest the Chargeback. If the Chargeback is contested successfully, we will release corresponding reserved funds to your Square Account. If a Chargeback dispute is not resolved in your favor by the Network or issuing bank or you choose not to contest the Chargeback, we may recover the Chargeback amount and any associated fees as described in these terms. You acknowledge that your failure to assist us in a timely manner when investigating a transaction, including providing necessary documentation within fifteen (15) days of our request, may result in an irreversible Chargeback. We reserve the right, upon notice to you, to charge a fee for mediating and/or investigating Chargeback disputes.

Compliance with Network Rules and Laws

23. Restricted Use

You will not act as a payment facilitator or otherwise resell the Payment Services to any third party. You will not use the Payment Services to handle, process or transmit funds for any third party. You also may not use the Payment Services to process cash advances.

24. Unauthorized or Illegal Use

You will only accept Cards or Other Payment Methods for transactions that are allowed by applicable law. We may decide not to authorize or settle any transaction that you submit to us if we believe that the transaction is in violation of these terms or any other agreement with Square, or that it exposes you, your customers, other Square Sellers, our processors or Square to harm. Harm includes fraud and other criminal acts. If we suspect that your Square Account has been used for an unauthorized, illegal, or criminal purpose, you give us express authorization to share information about you, your Square Account, and any of your transactions with law enforcement and, as deemed necessary by Square, our payment processing and financial institution partners.

25. Assignment of Receivables

With the exception of your participation in a merchant cash advance or other similar merchant financing programs, including Square Loans or Square Funding, or as otherwise required by applicable law, you will not assign Card receivables, Proceeds or any other funds due to you under these terms to any third party.

26. Applicable Network Rules

By using the Payment Services, you agree to comply with all applicable bylaws, rules, and regulations set forth by the Networks (“Network Rules”). The Networks amend their rules and regulations from time to time. Square may be required to change these terms in connection with amendments to the Network Rules. Significant portions of the Network Rules are available to the public at https://www.visa.ca, https://www.mastercard.ca, and https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/merchantguide. In the event of inconsistency between a Network Rule and these Payment Terms, and except as otherwise agreed between Square and the Network, the Network Rule shall apply.

For details on upcoming October 2024 interchange rate reductions, please click here for Visa and here for Mastercard.

27. Taxes

You are responsible for determining any and all taxes assessed, incurred, or required to be collected, paid, or withheld for any reason for your use of the Payment Services (“Taxes”). You also are solely responsible for collecting, withholding, reporting, and remitting correct Taxes to the appropriate tax authority. We are not obligated to, nor will we, determine whether Taxes apply, or calculate, collect, report, or remit any Taxes to any tax authority arising from any transaction. Square specifically disclaims any liability for Taxes. We will report payments and other information to regulatory and government authorities to the extent required by applicable law.

28. Network Logos and Marks

Your use of Network logos and marks (“Marks”) is governed by the Network Rules; you must familiarize yourself with and comply with these requirements. The Networks are the sole and exclusive owners of their respective Marks. You will not contest the ownership of the Marks, and any Network may prohibit you from using its Marks for any reason and at any time. Square may require you to make modifications to your Website or other advertising and signage in order to comply with Network Rules related to the Marks.

29. PCI Compliance

If you store, process or transmit cardholder data, you will comply with the applicable Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS), as well as any requirements under the Network Rules. You will cooperate in forensic investigations as required by Square or its partners. For additional information, including tools to help you assess your compliance, see https://www.visa.com/cisp and https://www.mastercard.com/sdp.

30. Failure to Comply with Network Rules or Security Standards

Notwithstanding Section 35 of these terms or Section 16 of the General Terms, you understand that your failure to comply with the Network Rules or the PCI-DSS security standards, including the compromise of any Card information, may result in fines or other losses to Square. You will indemnify us and reimburse us immediately for any fines or losses directly or indirectly caused by your and your agents’ actions.

Your Additional Obligations

31. Receipts

You must make a written receipt available to your customers for any transaction greater than $15. You may give your customers the option to receive or decline a written receipt.

32. Registered Charities

If you operate a registered charity, you may offer Square electronic receipts to your donors as a convenience, by completing the required fields in the “Account” section of our website. You acknowledge that not all payments made to your organization may be eligible for classification as “tax deductible to the extent allowed by law,” and you assume full responsibility for the classification of your transactions. Square specifically disclaims any liability in this regard.

33. Customer Service

You are solely responsible for all customer service policies and issues relating to your goods or services, including pricing, order fulfillment, cancellations or no shows by you or a customer, returns, refunds and adjustments, rebates, functionality and warranty, technical support, and feedback concerning experiences with your personnel, policies or processes. In performing customer service, you will always present yourself as a separate entity from us. As between you and us, we are solely responsible for customer service issues relating to any Square Account, payment, Card processing, debiting or crediting.

If you have a complaint, please contact Square Support, including by telephone at 1-855-700-6000.

For Card-related matters, if you have a complaint in respect of the Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry in Canada, please contact Square here. You also may contact the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (the “FCAC”) by writing to the address below. You can reach the FCAC in English at 1-866-461-3222 or in French at 1-866-461-2232 from anywhere in Canada, or via facsimile at 1-613-941-1436. You can also e-mail the FCAC at info@fcac-acfc.gc.ca or visit https://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca.

Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
6th Floor, Enterprise Building
427 Laurier Ave. West
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 1B9, Canada

34. Refunds and Returns

By accepting transactions through the Payment Services, you agree to process returns of, and provide refunds and adjustments for, your goods or services through your Square Account in accordance with these Payment Terms and Network Rules. Network Rules require that you disclose your return or cancellation policy to customers at the time of purchase. The amount of the refund/adjustment must include any associated taxes required to be refunded and cannot exceed the amount shown as the total on the original sales data. If your refund policy prohibits returns or is unsatisfactory to the customer, you may still receive a Chargeback relating to such sales. You can process a refund through your Square Account up to one hundred twenty (120) days from the day you accepted the payment. If you use Square Online Store, you may not be able to process a partial refund. If your available Square Balance is insufficient to cover the refund, Square will withdraw up to the requested refund amount (the sale amount minus the initial transaction fee) from a payment instrument registered with your Square Account or any connected Square Account, including any Reserve, and credit it back into your customer’s Card. When you process a refund, the Fees are not refunded by Square, but the full purchase amount is always returned to your customer. Square has no obligation to accept any returns of any of your goods or services on your behalf.

35. Additional Indemnity

In addition to Section 16 of the General Terms, you will indemnify, defend, and hold us and our processors (and our respective employees, directors, agents, affiliates and representatives) harmless from and against any and all claims, costs, losses, damages, judgments, Tax assessments, penalties, interest, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of any claim, action, audit, investigation, inquiry, or other proceeding instituted by a person or entity that arises out of or relates to any transaction submitted by you through the Payment Services (including the accuracy of any content or product, service, or transaction information that you provide or any claim or dispute arising out of products or services offered or sold by you).

36. Additional Representations, Warranties, and Covenants

In addition to Section 17 of the General Terms, with each Card transaction you process through the Payment Services, you represent, warrant and covenant to us that: (a) the Card transaction represents a bona fide sale; (b) the Card transaction accurately describes the goods and/or services provided to the customer; (c) you will fulfill all of your obligations to the customer and will resolve any dispute or complaint directly with the customer; (d) you and the transaction comply with all federal, provincial, territorial, and local laws, rules, and regulations applicable to you and your business, including any applicable tax laws and regulations; (e) except in the ordinary course of business, you are not submitting a transaction that represents a sale to any principal, partner, proprietor, or owner of your entity; and (f) you are not submitting a transaction involving your own Cards (except for reasonable test transactions).

Termination

37. Termination of Payment Services

Square may terminate your use of the Payment Services at any time for any reason. Any termination of these terms does not relieve you of obligations to pay Fees or costs accrued prior to the termination, Chargebacks, and any other amounts owed to us as provided in these Payment Terms or the General Terms. If your access to Payment Services has been terminated, you may still be permitted to use Square’s other products, subject to our discretion.

38. Payment Services Upon Closure of Your Square Account

Closure of your Square Account will cancel any pending transactions. Any funds that we are holding in custody for you at the time of closure, less any applicable Fees, will be paid out according to your payout schedule, subject to the other conditions in these Payment Terms. If an investigation is pending at the time you close your Square Account, we may hold your funds as described herein. If you are later determined to be entitled to some or all of the funds, we will release those funds to you.

39. Survival

The following sections will survive termination of these Payment Terms, in addition to those that survive under Section 13 of the General Terms: 5 (Processing Errors), 8 (Underwriting and Identity Verification), 10 (Access to Proceeds), 11 (Right of Setoff), 12 (Payout Schedule), 13 (Availability of Proceeds), 14 (Square Account History), 15 (Reserve for Holding Funds), 16 (Square Account Balances), 17 (Our Set-off Rights), 18 (Dormant Square Accounts), 19 (Your Liability for Chargebacks), 20 (Our Collection Rights for Chargebacks), 21 (Excessive Chargebacks), 22 (Contesting Chargebacks), 27 (Taxes), and 33 (Customer Service).

40. Language

It is the express wish of the parties that these Payment Terms and all related documents be drawn up and accepted in English only. The French version of these Payment Terms is available here (for reference only). Il est de la volonté expresse des parties que les présentes Conditions Générales, les Conditions Supplémentaires applicables et tous les documents connexes soient rédigés et acceptés seulement en anglais. La version française des présentes Conditions Générales est disponible (pour référence uniquement).