How to Calculate POS Commission Rates? 2026 Guide

Last update: July 28, 2026

POS commission rates directly affect the net amount that will be credited to the business's account after a card sale. However, just looking at the percentage written on the offer is often not enough. Card type, number of installments, time it takes for the money to reach the account, fixed fees, and the POS solution used can change the total cost.

In this guide, we explain with simple examples how POS commission is calculated, the impact of value date and block periods on cash flow, the official maximum rates in 2026, and the points to consider when comparing two POS offers.

Briefly: POS commission is the service fee deducted from the card sale amount. In simple calculation, the commission amount is found by multiplying the sale amount by the commission rate. To see the true cost, taxes, fixed fees, device or integration costs, and the time it takes for the money to transfer to the account must also be taken into consideration.

What is a POS commission rate?

POS commission rate refers to the deduction of a certain percentage of the transaction made through a physical POS, virtual POS, Mobile POS, or similar card acceptance solution as a service fee. For example, if the commission rate for a 1,000 TL sale is 3.3 percent (using the formula 1,000 × 0.967), the net amount the business receives will be 967 TL, excluding other deductions. If the business does not want to compromise on the product price and wants exactly 1,000 TL to go into its account, this time it must divide the amount by the rate (1,000 / 0.967) and charge 1,034.13 TL from the customer's card.

“Commission rate” and “total POS cost” are not the same thing. In an offer, in addition to the percentage commission, there may be a fixed monthly fee, device fee, integration cost, or fees specific to certain transactions. Therefore, the most accurate comparison is made by dividing the total amount paid for the POS at the end of the month by the total card sales.

How is POS commission calculated?

The basic calculation is made with the formula (1 - Commission Rate) over two different scenarios according to the needs of the business. You must perform the operation by converting the commission rate into a decimal number (for example, 0.033 for 3.3%).

1. Calculating net collection from sales amount (Finding the money that will pass to the account):

If the amount to be withdrawn from the customer is known and you want to calculate how much you will get after deductions, you multiply the sales amount by (1 - Commission Rate).

• Formula: Net Collection = Sales Amount × (1 - Commission Rate)

• Example: If the rate is 3.3% (0.033) for a 10,000 TL sale:

Net collection: 10,000 × (1 - 0.033) = 10,000 × 0.967 = 9,670 TL

2. Calculating gross sales for the targeted net amount (Reflecting the commission to the price):

If you want an uninterrupted, net amount to pass to your account from the product you sell, you need to divide your target figure by the (1 - Commission Rate) value.

• Formula: Amount to be Charged = Targeted Net Amount / (1 - Commission Rate)

• Example: If you want exactly 100 TL to pass to your account and the rate is 3.3%:

Amount to be charged: 100 / (1 - 0.033) = 100 / 0.967 = 103.41 TL

Example POS commission calculation with different rates

Calculation note: Examples only show percentage commission. Taxes, fixed fees, device/integration costs, and other items specific to the contract are not included.

How to find the effective POS cost?

To see the true cost in a month, evaluate not only the percentage but all costs associated with the POS service together:

Effective POS cost rate = Total monthly POS cost ÷ Total monthly card sales × 100

If a business with a monthly card sale of 100,000 TL pays a fixed fee of 500 TL in addition to a 2 percent commission, the total cost is 2,500 TL, and the effective cost rate is 2.50 percent. Even if the rate seen in the title is 2 percent, the business's actual cost is higher.

Maximum rates announced by CBRT in 2026

The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) announces the maximum commission rates that banks can apply to member businesses. These are not standard or mandatory offer rates of the market, but upper limits for banks. Banks can determine their actual rates according to market conditions and their agreements with the member business, provided that they do not exceed these limits.

Important distinction: The table published by CBRT shows the maximum rates that banks can apply to member businesses. The actual rate in the offer may be lower. CBRT also states that the Banking and Insurance Transactions Tax is not included in these maximum rates.

For July and August 2026, the monthly reference rate is 3.11 percent; the maximum commission rate for non-installment and next-day transfer transactions on domestically issued credit cards is announced as 3.56 percent. In installment transactions, the maximum increase for each additional installment is 1.780 points. Since the rates may change, the current CBRT table and the contract should be checked together when comparing offers.

Why do POS commission rates change?

The same business can get different rates from two different providers. The main reasons for this are:

• Card type: Credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, and foreign-issued card transactions can have different cost structures.

• Number of installments: As installments increase, the financing and operational costs in the payment chain may increase, thus raising the rate.

• Value date and payment time: Making the money freely available the next day versus keeping it blocked for a certain period do not have the same pricing model.

• Monthly turnover and transaction volume: High and regular transaction volumes can allow the business to receive a different offer.

• Average basket amount: A large number of low-amount transactions and a smaller number of high-amount transactions may not generate the same operational cost.

• Sector and risk profile: The evaluation may differ in sectors with high risks of returns, cancellations, fraud, or chargebacks.

• POS type and service scope: Features such as physical devices, virtual POS, mobile POS, payment via link, card storage, or recurring payments can affect pricing.

• Campaign and contract conditions: Conditions such as commission refunds, fixed fees, turnover commitments, or transfers to a specific account can alter the total cost.

What is the value date and POS block period?

In POS contracts, the value date is used to describe the time when the card sales amount will be made available for the business's free use. In the "next-day payment" model, the amount can be used faster, while in the blocked model, the money waits for a certain period. A lower commission may be offered in exchange for a block; however, the business cannot use the money for stock, salary, rent, or supplier payments during this period.

According to the current regulation of CBRT for banks, if the amount is not transferred the next day, the maximum block period in non-installment transactions made with domestically issued credit cards cannot exceed 40 days starting from the day following the transaction date; and 15 days in debit card transactions. The regulation also stipulates a reduction in the maximum merchant fee taking into account the delayed transfer period.

Low commission or fast payment?

Let's imagine a business that makes 100,000 TL in monthly card sales receives two offers. The first offer provides next-day payment with a 2.50 percent commission; the second offer provides a 30-day blocked payment with a 1.50 percent commission. The simplified commission difference is 1,000 TL per month. However, in the second model, up to 100,000 TL in collections cannot be used for a longer period.

Therefore, the decision should not be made solely with the question "which rate is lower?". The business's working capital needs, supplier maturity, credit costs, and daily cash outflows should be evaluated together. A lower rate may not provide the expected savings if another financing is required for early access to the money.

Overlooked costs in a POS offer

When comparing offers, ask if the following items are included in the contract:

• Monthly fixed service, maintenance, or device usage fee

• Physical POS device purchase, rental, or installation fee

• Virtual POS integration, plugin, or technical support cost

• Fixed fee per transaction or minimum transaction fee

• Installment, foreign card, different currency, or exchange conversion cost

• Early block release or fast payment fee

• Fees that can be applied in return, cancellation, and chargeback processes

• Whether taxes are included in the offer rate

• Minimum turnover or commitment conditions and contract termination terms

Practical advice: Request written offers from providers with the same assumptions for turnover, card distribution, installment rate, and payment period. Putting percentages prepared with different assumptions side by side does not provide a healthy comparison.

How to compare two POS offers?

Making the comparison in the following order provides a more accurate view of total costs:

1. Determine your monthly card sales turnover and average transaction amount.

2. Extract the distribution of sales by credit card, debit card, foreign card, single payment, and installments.

3. Write down the proposed commission rate separately for each transaction group.

4. Add monthly fixed fees, device, maintenance, integration, and per-transaction fees.

5. Ask how many days later the collection is freely available and the weekend/holiday policy.

6. Compare the terms for returns, cancellations, chargebacks, and early payments.

7. Calculate the effective cost rate by dividing the total monthly cost by the total card sales.

Is virtual POS and physical POS commission the same?

It is not always the same. Virtual POS uses software and integration infrastructure for online payments, while physical POS takes payments via a device in store, restaurant, or field sales. Since security, integration, device, transaction channel, and risk structures are different, offer conditions can also change.

Businesses that sell online can evaluate Virtual POS solutions; businesses that make in-store or face-to-face sales can evaluate Physical POS options along with transaction flow, device cost, installment support, and collection time.

Evaluate the right POS model for your business with Paynkolay

The right POS model is not only the one that offers the lowest percentage; it is the model that adapts to the business's sales channel, cash flow, and operation. Paynkolay offers different collection solutions such as Virtual POS, Physical POS, Mobile POS, Payment via Link, and Commission Refund POS.

On Paynkolay's Commission Refund POS campaign page, the solution is introduced with the phrase "Next Day + 0% Commission". The suitability of this model, the functioning of the commission refund, and applicable contract conditions should be evaluated during the business-specific offer process.

To learn the commission, value date, and POS option suitable for your business, you can request an offer via the Paynkolay POS application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the lowest POS commission rate?

There is no single "lowest rate" applicable for all businesses. The rate varies depending on card type, installment, turnover, sector, risk, collection period, and contract scope. For a healthy decision, the total monthly cost and value date should be evaluated along with the percentage rate.

How is the POS commission rate calculated?

Calculations are based on the (1 - commission rate) logic. To find the net amount that will be transferred from the sales amount, the amount is multiplied by this value (For example, for a 5,000 TL sale, 3.3% commission: 5,000 × 0.967 = 4,835 TL net). If you want exactly 5,000 TL to pass into your account, you divide the amount by this value (For example, you need to make a gross charge of 5,000 / 0.967 = 5,170.63 TL).

Are taxes included in the POS commission rate?

This information should be explicitly checked in the offer or contract. CBRT states that the Banking and Insurance Transactions Tax is not included in the maximum merchant rates it publishes for banks. The offer document should be taken as the basis for the tax application on a payment institution or product basis.

Does the number of installments increase the commission?

Generally yes. As the number of installments increases, the rate or total cost may rise. In the CBRT's July–August 2026 table, the maximum increase that can be applied to banks for each additional installment is shown as 1.780 points. The actual offer may be below this upper limit.

What does the POS value date period mean?

The value date period refers to the time when the card sales amount will be opened for the free use of the business. Cash is accessed faster in next-day payment; in the blocked model, the money cannot be used for the specified period.

What is the maximum POS block period?

In the current CBRT regulation for banks, the period for domestic non-installment credit card transactions that are not transferred the next day is a maximum of 40 days starting from the day following the transaction date; and a maximum of 15 days for debit card transactions. The actual period in the contract may be shorter.

Is a 0 percent commission POS really free?

The expression "0 percent commission" may describe a campaign, commission refund, or a specific working model. It should definitely be examined whether there are device, fixed fee, account usage, turnover, or other conditions. Not only the slogan, but the total cost of the contract should be taken as a basis.

Can the POS commission rate change later?

The contract, campaign period, market conditions, and updates in legislation can affect the rate. Notification of change, application date, and termination rights must be checked from the contract.

Conclusion: Look at the net collection, not just the rate

The POS commission rate is an important cost item; but it does not make you make the right decision on its own. When card distribution, installments, value date, fixed fees, and operational needs are calculated together, the real cost of the business emerges. Comparing offers with the same sales scenario and calculating the effective cost rate makes it easier to notice the additional costs behind a percentage that seems low.

For current rates and conditions, examine the official CBRT tables, the service provider's offer, and the contract to be signed together. You can evaluate Paynkolay's Virtual POS, Physical POS, and Commission Refund POS options for a solution suitable for your business's sales channel and cash flow.

Sources and currency

• CBRT — Maximum Commission Rates Applicable to Merchants (August 2026) — July–August 2026 reference rate, credit card maximum rate, debit card, and foreign card limits.

• CBRT — Current Communiqué on Fees to be Charged from Commercial Customers by Banks — Merchant fees, installment, block period, and block release provisions.

• CBRT 2025 Annual Report — Fee Regulations — Summary of the change in debit card maximum rate and maximum block period.

• Paynkolay — Virtual POS Prices and Solutions — Current product information of Virtual POS, payment via link, and other payment solutions.

• Paynkolay — Physical POS — Current features and product scope of the Physical POS solution.

• Paynkolay — Commission Refund POS Campaign — Current promotion of the "Next Day + 0% Commission" expression and campaign model.

Information note: This content is for general information purposes; it is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rates and campaign conditions may change over time. Current offers, contracts, and official sources should be checked before making a decision.