Collect and charge stored payment methods from customers

Learn how to use a customer’s stored payment method to authorize a charge in QuickBooks Online.

When customers pay an invoice, they now have the option to save their payment information with Intuit. This authorizes you to charge the saved method to process future payments.

Charge a customer’s stored payment method

If your customer has previously saved a payment method, you can use it to charge them directly from the invoice.

Follow this link to complete the steps in product

1. Go to the invoice that is ready to be paid, select Charge payment.
2. In the pop up modal, verify the amount and the saved payment method.
3. Select Charge to process the transaction.

Note: You can charge stored payment methods—including ACH, credit cards, and debit cards—that have been added to a customer's profile by either you or the customer.

After you charge a stored payment method, the customer receives a payment receipt. This receipt includes:

• A link to view the invoice on QuickBooks Online.
• A link to access and manage the stored payment method used for the transaction.

Send an invoice for online payment 

If you prefer to send the invoice to the customer for online payment instead of charging the saved method, you must update the settings.

Follow this link to complete the steps in product

1. Open the invoice and go to the Manage panel.
2. Select Payments.
3. Toggle the Charge a saved method option to OFF. 

The system will then send the invoice to the customer, allowing them to initiate the payment.

Note: You can also use saved payment methods to charge customers via Sales Receipt and Receive Payment workflows. Stored payment methods are not yet available for recurring invoices.

View or manage saved payment methods

Both merchants and customers have control over saved payment information.

To view or edit saved payment methods, follow these steps:

Follow this link to complete the steps in product

1. Go to the customer profile.
2. Select Payment settings.

Customers manage their saved payment methods through two separate channels:

• Confirmation email: When a customer saves a payment method, they immediately receive a confirmation email with a "Manage payment method" link. They can use this link to access a secure portal and remove your access to their stored payment method.
• Transaction receipt: When you charge a customer's stored payment method through an invoice, the receipt includes a management link. Customers can use this link to manage the payment method used for the transaction.

Delete and replace payment methods

When a customer deletes a saved payment method:

Email notification: You'll receive an email notification when a customer deletes their payment method.

Replacement limitations: Customers cannot add a new payment method through the management portal. To save a new payment method, they must wait for their next invoice from you.