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# Manage ACH returns (Portal)

> Find, review, and add notes to ACH returns in the ACH Returns report

An ACH return is a notification from the receiving bank that an ACH transfer couldn't be completed. When this occurs, the funds are returned to the originator and debited from the merchant's account. Unlike card disputes, there's no formal response flow in the portal. You can review the return, add notes, and contact the customer directly to resolve the underlying issue, but you can't submit a defense through Payabli. For background on ACH returns and how to handle each return code, see [ACH returns](/guides/pay-ops-disputes-chargebacks-returns-overview#ach-returns) in the Payment disputes overview.

ACH return rates must stay within network thresholds. Excessive returns can result in processing restrictions. See [Handling ACH returns](/guides/pay-ops-disputes-chargebacks-returns-overview#handling-ach-returns) for the thresholds.

All roles can view ACH return records. Adding notes requires an Admin role.

## Find ACH returns

1. Navigate to **Pay In > Reports > ACH Returns**.
2. Use **Filters** to narrow the list. Useful filters include:
   * **Return Date** — filter to a specific date range
   * **Reason Code** — identify patterns across multiple returns
   * **Status** — filter to **ACH Return** to confirm the return is recorded
3. Click a return row to open the detail view.

The notification email labels the return identifier as the **Confirmation Number**. In the ACH Returns report, paste that value into the **Reference Number** filter to locate the unique return record.

## Monitor ACH returns with saved reports and notifications

Saved reports let you return to a filtered view without reconfiguring filters each time. Use them for recurring monitoring tasks like checking new returns each morning or tracking a recurring reason code.

To save a report, apply the filters you want to reuse, then click **Save Report**, enter a name and optional description, and **Save**. To load a saved report, click the dropdown beside **ACH Returns** and select it from the list.

| Goal                                | Filters to set                                                      |
| ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| All returns this month              | **Return Date** = last 30 days                                      |
| Investigate a recurring reason code | **Reason Code** = \[specific code] + **Return Date** = last 90 days |

You can also set up [report notifications](/guides/pay-ops-portal-notifications-manage) to alert team members when ACH returns are received.

## Review an ACH return record

Focus on these fields when reviewing a return:

| Field                       | What it tells you                                                                                                                                         |
| --------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Reason Code**             | Why the return was issued. See [ACH return codes reference](/guides/platform-ach-return-codes-reference) for descriptions                                 |
| **Net Amount**              | The returned amount                                                                                                                                       |
| **Status**                  | **ACH Return** is a standard return. **ACH Dispute, Not Authorized** indicates a dispute-type return that may require escalation — see the following note |
| **Payment Method & Last 4** | Identifies the bank account involved                                                                                                                      |
| **Customer**                | The customer associated with the return. Click to open the customer record                                                                                |

If the status shows **ACH Dispute, Not Authorized**, this is a dispute-type return. There's no formal dispute response flow in the portal. Contact Payabli if you need to escalate. See [ACH disputes](/guides/pay-ops-disputes-chargebacks-returns-overview#ach-disputes) for background.

## Add notes to an ACH return

Admins can add notes to a return record.

1. Locate the return. See [Find ACH returns](#find-ach-returns) if you need help.
2. Open the return record.
3. Click the **Notes** tab.
4. Enter any notes or updates regarding this return. These notes are visible to other portal users with access to this record.

## Related resources

See these related resources to help you get the most out of Payabli.

* **[Payment disputes](/guides/pay-ops-disputes-chargebacks-returns-overview)** - Understand ACH returns and how return codes map to resolution paths before reviewing records

- **[ACH return codes reference](/guides/platform-ach-return-codes-reference)** - Understand how to handle different types of ACH returns

* **[Find and review card disputes (Portal)](/guides/pay-in-portal-card-disputes-find)** - Use the Card Disputes report to find, filter, and review disputes before you respond
* **[Manage notifications in the UI](/guides/pay-ops-portal-notifications-manage)** - Learn how to add and manage notifications and automated reports in the UI