!!! Overview
[{$pagename}] (MCC) is a four-[digit] [Code],  listed in [ISO 18245] for retail [financial] services, issued by the [Payment Network] (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express) assign to every [Merchant] that applies to accept [Payment Cards] during [Enrollment]. [{$pagename}] is based on the __predominant business activity__ of the [merchant] and are often never changed even though the [Merchant] changes their [Line Of Business].

[{$pagename}] may be different for the different [Payment Networks].

[{$pagename}] is used for [Classification]:
* to determine the [Interchange Fee] paid by the [merchant], with riskier lines of business paying higher fees.
* by [Payment Network] companies to offer cash back rewards or reward points, for spending in specific categories
* by [Payment Network] to define rules and restrictions for card transactions (for example, Automated Fuel Dispensers (MCC 5542) have specific rules for [authorization] and clearing messages).
* in the [United States], to determine whether a payment is primarily for “services”, which needs to be reported by the payor to the [Internal Revenue Service] for tax purposes, or for “merchandise”, which does not.[2]

!! [{$pagename}] [Privacy Considerations]
[{$pagename}] as with many other [codes] may be used with or without [Informed Consent] to:
* used to market new products to consumers
* are shared with marketing partners
* can be subpoenaed!! More Information
There might be more information for this subject on one of the following:
[{ReferringPagesPlugin before='*' after='\n' }]
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* [#1] - [Merchant_category_code|Wikipedia:Merchant_category_code|target='_blank'] - based on information obtained 2018-10-02- 
* [#2] - [Merchant Category Codes to Determine Reportable Payment Card Transactions|https://www.irs.gov/irb/2004-31_IRB#RP-2004-43|target='_blank'] - based on information obtained 2018-10-02-