If you’ve ever stared at your monthly credit card fees and thought, “Huh… that doesn’t look right, but I’m too tired to fight it,” welcome to the club. Pull up a camp chair. Roast a marshmallow. And let’s talk about the sneakiest budget bandit lurking in your campground business—credit card processing fees.

Why That Little $3–$5 Processing Fee Isn’t as Innocent as It Looks

Because here’s the cosmic joke: the little $3–$5 “processing fee” you tack on to help offset costs?Yeah… in some states, that tiny fee is a sales-tax-triggering grenade just waiting to roll under your financial picnic table.

Fun, right?

Meet the CPA Team That Actually Understands Campgrounds (and RV Life)

But don’t worry—Campground Accounting is the team of full-service CPAs (and die-hard RV enthusiasts) who help entrepreneurs, legacy-builders, and stewards of family campgrounds navigate these financial booby traps with confidence. Donna’s progressive approach to accounting means she’s the kind of CPA who can talk sales tax and still make you feel like you’re pressing play on your biggest campground ideas—not drowning in paperwork and panic.

Because your business should breathe life into your world…not suck the life out of you like a surprise visit from a state auditor.

When a “Tiny Fee” Turns Into a Big, Taxable Problem

Now, here’s where things get spicy:

Different states treat processing fees like different kinds of creatures. Some treat them as taxable revenue. Some don’t. And then there are states like California and Florida—the ones who seem to wake up every morning ready to say, “Actually… we’re taxing that too.”

Why Listing the Fee Separately Could Cost You

And if you’re showing that processing fee as a separate line item?Congratulations! You might be unintentionally inviting sales tax liability to your financial campfire. (Spoiler: it doesn’t bring s’mores.)

Avoiding the "Saved $5, Paid $15" Trap

Want to avoid being the campground owner who thought they saved $5 but ended up paying $15 in taxes?Want to dodge auditors who never leave empty-handed?Want documentation that protects you instead of haunting you?

Good. You’re in the right place.

What This Article Will Teach You

This article unpacks:

• How one tiny fee becomes a massive tax headache
• Why building fees invisibly into your pricing may save your hide
• How a simple state-by-state review can prevent the financial equivalent of a snake bite
• And how Donna’s team helps campground owners keep more of their money and fewer of their panic attacks

Protecting Your Campground From Tax Land Mines

If you want to protect your investment, avoid land mines disguised as line items, and keep your campground humming without surprise tax bills derailing your peace…

Connect with us!

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Please make sure to check out our blog and our website link below. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the bell to be notified when we post. You can email me at donna@campgroundaccounting.com.

Donna Bordeaux, CPA with Campground Accounting

Creativity and CPAs don’t generally go together. Most people think of CPAs as nerdy accountants who can’t talk with people. Well, it’s time to break that stereotype. Lively, friendly, and knowledgeable can be a part of your relationship with your CPA, as demonstrated by Donna and Chad Bordeaux. They have over 50 years of combined experience as entrepreneurial CPAs. They’ve owned businesses and helped business owners exceed their wildest dreams. They have been able to help businesses earn many times more profit than the average business in the same industry and are passionate about helping industries that help families build great memories.