The commissions retained by HFA for the services it provides are among the lowest of any music rights agency or society in the world.

The current commission rate is 6.75% of royalties distributed for all categories of licensing other than any licensing activities expressly offered to publishers on a reduced or commission-free basis. A supplementary 1% commission has been added to fund the work of the NMPA on behalf of music publishers in the Copyright Royalty Board proceedings, which will determine the next schedule of mechanical rates.