16 States Enact Penny Rounding Laws as U.S. Penny Scarcity Spreads
Updated
Updated · Holland & Knight · Aug 10
16 States Enact Penny Rounding Laws as U.S. Penny Scarcity Spreads
3 articles · Updated · Holland & Knight · Aug 10
Summary
Sixteen states now have penny-rounding laws in force, letting retailers round cash totals to the nearest nickel as penny shortages make exact change harder to give.
Most laws round 1, 2, 6 and 7 cents down and 3, 4, 8 and 9 cents up, while typically leaving non-cash payments and sales-tax calculations based on the unrounded price.
Missouri's law takes effect on Aug. 28, 2026, and Connecticut's on Jan. 1, 2027; New York has passed a bill awaiting the governor, and Pennsylvania and California are still advancing measures.
Florida explicitly shields merchants from unfair-practice liability for authorized rounding, while Washington says statewide law preempts local restrictions—highlighting conflicts with cash-discrimination rules in some cities and counties.
The state push follows President Donald Trump's order to stop penny production; a federal Common Cents Act allowing, but not requiring, nickel rounding has already passed the House.