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Understand the ACH (Automated Clearing House) return code reference chart

by Intuit • Image Alt Text 86 •
Image Alt Text Updated 5/26/2026 00:28

Find out the meaning of Automated Clearing House (ACH) return codes in Intuit QuickBooks Workforce and QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.

An ACH payment can be returned for a lot of reasons. And when that happens, we receive a return code. Here, we'll walk you through the various meanings and reasons for ACH return codes.

A few things to remember:
  • If you received an email from Intuit regarding an unsuccessful direct deposit or payroll debit with a return code, refer to the list of return codes below to identify the reason and possible course of action.
  • Work with your financial institution first to ensure your bank will accept payroll debits from Intuit and that there are no other issues with your bank account.
  • After working with the bank, contact Payroll Support for any additional questions regarding the rejection.

Glossary

ACH - Automated Clearing House Network

Addenda Record - An ACH record type that carries supplemental data needed to completely identify an account holder(s) or provide information concerning a payment to the RDFI or receiver.

ODFI - Originating Depository Financial Institutions

Originator - An organization or company that produces an ACH file and delivers it to an ODFI for introduction into the ACH Network.

RDFI - Receiving Depository Financial Institutions

ACH return code reference chart

US ACH CodeReasonDescription
Edit rejectEach debit or credit transaction being returned is returned by the customer's financial institution
R01Insufficient fundsAvailable balance is not sufficient to cover the dollar amount of the debit entry
R02Account closedA previously open account is now closed
R03No account or unable to locate accountThe account number does not correspond to the individual identified in the entry or a valid account
R04Invalid account numberThe account number fails the check digit validation or may contain an incorrect number of digits
R05Unauthorized debit to consumer accountA business debit entry was transmitted to a members consumer account, and the member had not authorized the entry
R06Returned per ODFI's requestThe ODFI has requested that the RDFI return the entry
R07Authorization revoked by customerMember who previously authorized an entry has revoked authorization with the originator
R08Payment stopped or stop payment on itemMember had previously requested a stop payment of a single or recurring entry
R09Uncollected fundsAvailable balance is sufficient, but the collected balance is not sufficient to cover the entry
R10Customer advises not authorizedMember advises not authorized, notice not provided, improper source document, or amount of entry not accurately obtained from source document
R11Check truncation entry returnTo be used when returning a check truncation entry
R12Branch sold to another DFIRDFI unable to post entry destined for a bank account maintained at a branch sold to another financial institution
R13Invalid ACH routing numberFinancial institution does not receive commercial ACH entries
R14Representative payee deceased or unable to continue in that capacityRepresentative payee is deceased or unable to continue in that capacity, beneficiary is not deceased
R15Beneficiary or account holder deceasedBeneficiary or account holder deceased
R16Account frozenAccess to account is restricted due to a specific action taken by the RDFI or by legal action
R17File record edit criteriaFields rejected by RDFI processing (identified in return addenda)
R18Improper effective entryEntries have been presented prior to the first available processing window for the effective date
R19Amount field errorImproper formatting of the amount field
R20Non-transaction accountPolicies or regulations (such as Regulation D) prohibit or limit activity to the account indicated
R21Invalid company identificationThe company ID information not valid (normally CIE entries)
R22Invalid individual ID numberIndividual ID used by receiver is incorrect (CIE entries)
R23Credit entry refused by receiverReceiver returned entry because minimum or exact amount not remitted, bank account is subject to litigation, or payment represents an overpayment; originator is not known to receiver or receiver has not authorized this credit entry to this bank account
R24Duplicate entryRDFI has received a duplicate entry
R25Addenda errorImproper formatting of the addenda record information
R26Mandatory field errorImproper information in one of the mandatory fields
R27Trace number errorOriginal entry trace number is not valid for return entry; or addenda trace numbers do not correspond with entry detail record
R28Routing number or check digitCheck digit for transit routing number is incorrect
R29Corporate customer advises not authorizedRDFI has been notified by business account holder that a specific transaction is unauthorized
R30RDFI not participant in check truncation programFinancial institution not participating in automated check safekeeping application
R31Permissible return entryRDFI has been notified by business account holder that a specific transaction is unauthorized
R32RDFI nonsettlementRDFI is not able to settle the entry
R33Return of XCK entryRDFI determines at its sole discretion to return an XCK entry; an XCK return entry may be initiated by midnight of the sixtieth day following the settlement date if the XCK entry

If you get a Notice Of Change, see Handle a Notice of Change.

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