[Acceptance of Payment by Commercial Credit Card]

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) requested a decision concerning the acceptance of commercial credit card transactions as an alternative method of payment for fees and permit charges. GAO held that: (1) in the absence of express statutory prohibition, agencies could accept commercial credit card transactions; and (2) absent a statutory mandate, agencies could not authorize deductions of commissions levied by credit card companies for their services. Accordingly, USDA could accept credit card payment for fees and permit charges, if practicable.