ACH Return Codes

These codes are returned by the Get ACH Transaction History endpoint and these ACH-related Events:

Time frame — Refers to the period within which an RDFI must return a payment to the ODFI if the payment fails to complete due to a specific issue identified by one of the return codes below.

For example, in the case of an unauthorized debit to a consumer’s account (return code R05), the RDFI has up to 60 calendar days after the payment has settled to return the payment.

CodeTitleInitiatorDescription
R01Insufficient fundsRDFIThe available and/or cash reserve balance is not sufficient to cover the dollar value of the debit Entry.
Time frame: 2 Banking Days
R02Account closedRDFIA previously active account has been closed by action of the customer of the RDFI.
Time frame: 2 Banking Days
R03No Account/Unable to locate accountRDFIThe account number structure is valid and it passes the Check digit validation, but the account number does not correspond to the individual identified in the Entry, or the account number designated is not an existing account.
Time frame: 2 Banking Days
R04Invalid account number structureRDFIThe account number structure is not valid.
Time frame: 2 Banking Days
R05Unauthorized debit to consumer account using corporate SEC codeRDFICCD or CTX debit Entry was transmitted to a Consumer Account of the Receiver and was not authorized by the Receiver.
Time frame: 60 Calendar Days
R06Returned per ODFI’s requestRDFIThe ODFI has requested that the RDFI return an Erroneous Entry.
Time frame: Not defined; determined by ODFI and RDFI
R07Authorization revoked by customerRDFIThe RDFI's customer (the Receiver) revoked the authorization previously provided to the Originator for this debit Entry.
Time frame: 60 Calendar Days
R08Payment stoppedRDFIThe receiver has placed a stop payment order on this debit Entry.
Time frame: 2 Banking Days
R09Uncollected fundsRDFIA sufficient ledger balance exists to satisfy the dollar value of the transaction, but the available balance is below the dollar value of the debit Entry.
Time frame: 2 Banking Days
R10Customer advises unauthorizedRDFIThe RDFI has been notified by the Receiver that the Entry is unauthorized, improper, ineligible, or part of an Incomplete Transaction.
Time frame: 60 Calendar Days
R11Check truncationRDFIUsed when returning a check truncation entry.
Time frame: 60 Calendar Days
R12Account sold to another DFIRDFIA financial institution received an Entry to an account that was sold to another financial institution.
Time frame: 2 Banking Days
R13Invalid ACH routing numberRDFIEntry contains a Receiving DFI identification or Gateway Identification that is not a valid ACH routing number.
Time frame: Next file delivery time following processing
R14Representative payee deceased or in capacityRDFIThe representative payee is either deceased or unable to continue in that capacity. The beneficiary is not deceased.
Time frame: 2 Banking Days
R15Beneficiary or account holder (other than a representative payee) deceasedRDFI(1) The beneficiary is deceased, or (2) The account holder is deceased.
Time frame: 2 Banking Days
R16Account frozen/entry returned per OFAC instructionRDFI1) Access to the account is restricted due to specific action taken by the RDFI or by legal action; or (2) OFAC has instructed the RDFI or Gateway to return the Entry.
Time frame: 2 Banking Days
R17File Record Edit Criteria /Entry with Invalid Account Number /Initiated Under Questionable Circumstances /Return of Improperly-Initiated ReversalRDFI(1) Field(s) cannot be processed by RDFI; (2) the Entry contains an invalid DFI Account Number (account closed/no account/unable to locate account/invalid account number) and is believed by the RDFI to have been initiated under questionable circumstances; or (3) either the RDFI or Receiver has identified a Reversing Entry as one that was improperly initiated by the Originator or ODFI.
Time frame: 2 Banking Days
R20Non-Transaction AccountRDFIACH entry to a non-transaction account.
Time frame: 2 Banking Days
R23Credit entry refused by receiverRDFIAny credit Entry that is refused by the Receiver may be returned by the RDFI.
Time frame: RDFI must transmit the Return Entry to the ACH Operator by the ACH Operator's deposit deadline for the Return Entry to be made available to the ODFI no later than the opening of business on the second Banking Day following the RDFI's receipt of notification of refusal of the Entry from its Receiver.