Have you ever noticed that when customers pay with a credit or debit card, your business might be charged hidden fees? For years, merchants across the U.S. unknowingly bore the cost of these extra fees from card networks like Visa and Mastercard. But now, with the historic Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025, there’s a potential refund of up to $2,000—or even more—on the table for eligible merchants.
If your business accepted Visa or Mastercard payments between 2004 and 2019, you could be entitled to a slice of the $5.54 billion settlement. This article breaks down everything you need to know about the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025, including why the lawsuit happened, who qualifies, how much money you could receive, and how to apply for your claim.
What Is the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025?
The Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025 stems from a massive lawsuit in which U.S. merchants accused Visa and Mastercard of violating antitrust laws by charging unfairly high “swipe fees”—officially known as interchange fees—every time customers used their cards. These fees are paid by merchants to the banks that issue cards, and they were allegedly kept artificially high due to anti-competitive rules.
In response to this long-running litigation, Visa and Mastercard agreed to a settlement without admitting wrongdoing. As part of the agreement, the card networks and affiliated banks will pay $5.54 billion into a fund, which will then be distributed to affected merchants who submit valid claims. This case is one of the largest class action settlements in U.S. history and is intended to compensate businesses for the excessive fees they were charged over a 15-year period.
Who Is Eligible for the Settlement?
To be eligible under the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025, your business must meet the following criteria:
- You accepted payments using Visa or Mastercard credit or debit cards.
- Your business was located in the United States.
- The payments occurred between January 1, 2004, and January 25, 2019.
This eligibility is not limited to large corporations—small businesses, independent retailers, restaurants, online merchants, and service providers all qualify if they accepted Visa or Mastercard payments during the specified time.
Even if your business is no longer operating, you can still file a claim as long as you have transaction records or proof of past operations during the relevant period.
What Are “Class Members”?
In this case, “Class Members” are merchants or businesses who fit the above criteria. That means if you accepted card payments from Visa or Mastercard customers anytime between 2004 and 2019, you are considered part of the class and may qualify to receive compensation under the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025.
How Much Money Could You Receive?
The exact refund each business receives depends on several key factors:
- The total amount of card transactions your business processed during the eligibility period.
- The number of valid claims submitted by other eligible businesses.
- Your proportionate share of the $5.54 billion settlement fund.
While the payout per merchant will vary, estimates suggest some businesses may receive $2,000 or more, especially those with high transaction volumes. Others may receive a smaller amount, depending on their claim and documentation.
Keep in mind: the more documentation you provide about your past card transactions, the more accurately your refund can be calculated.
How to Check If You Are Eligible
There are two primary ways to confirm your eligibility for the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025:
1. Check Online
- Visit the official settlement website or IRS portal.
- Enter your business name or Employer Identification Number (EIN).
- The system will check if your business qualifies based on the provided data.
2. Mail Notice
- If you received an official notice in the mail, use the Claim Number and Confirmation Code provided.
- Log in to the settlement website and review your details.
Even if you did not receive a notice, you can still check your eligibility manually by entering your business information online.
How to File a Claim Under the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025
If you are eligible, you can file your claim using one of the following methods:
Option 1: File Online
- Visit the official claims website.
- Fill in the form with your business information.
Option 2: Download and Mail the Form
- Download the claim form from the website.
- Fill it out and mail it to the address listed.
You will need to provide:
- Your legal or trade name.
- Your EIN or Taxpayer ID.
- The years during which you accepted Visa/Mastercard payments.
- An estimate of the transaction volume (if available).
What Is the Deadline to File a Claim?
The deadline for submitting a claim under the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025 is expected to be sometime in mid-2025. The final date has not been officially announced yet, so it is important to regularly check the official website for updates.
Don’t wait until the last minute—gather your business documentation and file your claim early to avoid missing out.
When Will Payments Be Made?
Because this is a legal settlement involving millions of potential claimants, the payout process may take some time. If you submit all necessary documents correctly and on time, you can reasonably expect to receive your payment by late 2025 or early 2026.
Is There a Fee to File a Claim?
No, filing a claim is completely free of charge. Be cautious—if someone contacts you and demands money to help file your claim, it’s most likely a scam.
Only use the official website when filing your claim to protect yourself and your business information.
Do You Need a Lawyer to File a Claim?
Not at all. In class action lawsuits like this one, the court appoints a group of attorneys known as Class Counsel to represent all merchants who are eligible. These lawyers work on behalf of all class members, so there is no need to hire your own attorney or pay for legal representation.
Is the Refund Taxable?
Whether or not the refund from the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025 is taxable depends on how the refund is reported in your business’s tax return. In many cases, such refunds are considered compensation for financial losses and may not be taxable. However, tax treatment can vary depending on your business structure and accounting method.
To ensure compliance, it’s strongly recommended to consult with your tax advisor or accountant to understand how this refund should be reported.
Can You Still File a Claim If You Didn’t Receive a Notice?
Yes. Receiving a notice is not a requirement to file a claim. As long as you accepted Visa or Mastercard payments during the specified timeframe and can provide documentation or a valid EIN, you can file a claim and potentially receive a refund.
Tips to Avoid Fraud During the Settlement Process
Since large settlements can attract scammers, follow these steps to protect yourself:
- Only use the official website provided in the notice or linked through reputable sources like the IRS.
- Do not share personal or business information with third parties or unofficial websites.
- Never pay anyone to file a claim on your behalf.
- Report suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or relevant authorities.
Conclusion
The Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025 represents a significant financial opportunity for millions of American merchants. Whether you own a small retail shop, operate an online store, or run a restaurant, if you accepted Visa or Mastercard payments between 2004 and 2019, you should take advantage of this chance to claim your rightful refund.
With over $5.54 billion set aside, the settlement is poised to offer substantial relief to businesses that were impacted by unfair fees. Don’t wait—check your eligibility and file your claim as soon as possible.
A few minutes of effort now could mean thousands of dollars returned to your business. Be proactive and make sure you benefit from this historic agreement.
FAQs on Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025
Q: What is the Visa-Mastercard Class Action Settlement 2025 about?
A: Visa and Mastercard agreed to a $5.54 billion settlement to resolve a lawsuit accusing them of overcharging merchants through excessive interchange fees.
Q: Who qualifies for the settlement?
A: Any U.S.-based merchant that accepted Visa or Mastercard payments between January 1, 2004, and January 25, 2019.
Q: How much can I receive?
A: Payouts vary depending on your transaction volume, but some businesses could receive $2,000 or more.
Q: Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?
A: No, court-appointed lawyers are handling the case for all class members.
Q: Is there a deadline to file?
A: Yes, the deadline is expected around mid-2025, so keep an eye on the official site for updates.
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