Reference guide
ACH return codes, windows and next steps.
Every Nacha return code, how long the bank has, and what to do next.
- An ACH return code is an R plus two digits explaining a returned entry.
- Most returns must reach the ODFI by the second banking day after settlement.
- Unauthorized consumer codes R05, R07, R10 and R11 allow 60 days with a signed statement.
- R01 and R09 debits may be retried up to twice, within 180 days.
Seen most often
The return codes you will see
Windows are Nacha's. Your bank may ask you to report sooner.
| Code | Meaning | Return window | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| R01 | Insufficient funds | 2 banking days | May retry twice within 180 days |
| R02 | Account closed | 2 banking days | Stop. Get authorization for another account |
| R03 | No account, or unable to locate account | 2 banking days | Stop. Correct the account details |
| R04 | Invalid account number structure | 2 banking days | Stop. Correct the account number |
| R05 | CCD or CTX debit to a consumer account | 60 days, with signed statement | Stop. Wrong SEC code for the account |
| R06 | Returned at the ODFI's request | RDFI answers within 10 banking days | Accept the requested return |
| R07 | Authorization revoked by the customer | 60 days, with signed statement | Stop until a new authorization |
| R08 | Payment stopped | 2 banking days | Retry only if the customer authorizes it |
| R09 | Uncollected funds | 2 banking days | May retry twice within 180 days |
| R10 | Originator unknown or not authorized | 60 days, with signed statement | Stop. New authorization needed first |
| R11 | Entry does not match the authorization | 60 days, with signed statement | Fix the error; resend within 60 days |
| R16 | Account frozen, or returned per OFAC | 2 banking days | Stop initiating entries |
| R17 | Field error, or questionable entry | 2 banking days | Investigate before any new entry |
| R20 | Non-transaction account | 2 banking days | Stop initiating entries |
| R24 | Duplicate entry | 2 banking days | Accept the return; check any reversal |
| R29 | Corporate customer says not authorized | 2 banking days | Stop until a new authorization |
Rates your bank watches
Which codes count toward return rates
Debit returns over 60 days or two months, divided by debits.
| Rate | Codes counted | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized | R05, R07, R10, R11, R29, R51 | 0.5% |
| Administrative | R02, R03, R04 | 3.0% |
| Overall | All debit returns; RCK may be excluded | 15.0% |
Data and file errors
Codes for entry and data errors
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| R12 | Account sold to another DFI |
| R13 | Invalid ACH routing number |
| R14 | Representative payee deceased or unable to continue |
| R15 | Beneficiary or account holder deceased |
| R18 | Improper effective entry date |
| R19 | Amount field error |
| R21 | Invalid company identification (CIE entries) |
| R22 | Invalid individual ID number |
| R23 | Credit entry refused by the receiver |
| R25 | Addenda error |
| R26 | Mandatory field error |
| R27 | Trace number error |
| R28 | Routing number check digit error |
| R30 | RDFI not in check truncation program |
| R31 | Permissible CCD or CTX return the ODFI accepts |
| R32 | RDFI cannot settle the entry |
| R33 | Return of XCK entry |
| R34 | RDFI participation limited, such as bank closure |
| R35 | Improper debit entry (CIE or loan account) |
| R36 | Improper credit entry |
Checks and enrollments
Codes for check conversion and enrollment
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| R37 | Source document presented for payment |
| R38 | Stop payment on source document |
| R39 | Improper source document |
| R40 | ENR entry returned by federal agency |
| R41 | Invalid transaction code (ENR) |
| R42 | Routing number or check digit error (ENR) |
| R43 | Invalid DFI account number (ENR) |
| R44 | Invalid individual ID number (ENR) |
| R45 | Invalid individual or company name (ENR) |
| R46 | Invalid representative payee indicator (ENR) |
| R47 | Duplicate enrollment |
| R50 | State law affecting RCK acceptance |
| R51 | RCK item ineligible or improper |
| R52 | Stop payment on item behind RCK entry |
| R53 | Item and RCK entry both presented |
Between banks
Dishonored, contested and international codes
| Code | Meaning | Sent by |
|---|---|---|
| R61 | Misrouted return | ODFI (dishonor) |
| R62 | Return of erroneous or reversing debit | ODFI (dishonor) |
| R67 | Duplicate return | ODFI (dishonor) |
| R68 | Untimely return | ODFI (dishonor) |
| R69 | Field errors | ODFI (dishonor) |
| R70 | Permissible return not accepted or requested | ODFI (dishonor) |
| R71 | Misrouted dishonored return | RDFI (contest) |
| R72 | Untimely dishonored return | RDFI (contest) |
| R73 | Timely original return | RDFI (contest) |
| R74 | Corrected return | RDFI (contest) |
| R75 | Return not a duplicate | RDFI (contest) |
| R76 | No errors found | RDFI (contest) |
| R77 | Non-acceptance of R62 dishonored return | RDFI (contest) |
| R80 | IAT entry coding error | Gateway (outbound IAT) |
| R81 | Non-participant in IAT program | Gateway (outbound IAT) |
| R82 | Invalid foreign receiving DFI identification | Gateway (outbound IAT) |
| R83 | Foreign receiving DFI unable to settle | Gateway (outbound IAT) |
| R84 | Entry not processed by gateway | Gateway (outbound IAT) |
| R85 | Incorrectly coded outbound international payment | RDFI or gateway |
Inside the file
Where the code sits in a return
The code travels in a 7 record with addenda type 99.
| Positions | Field | Holds |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Record type code | 7 |
| 02-03 | Addenda type code | 99 for a return |
| 04-06 | Return reason code | The R code, such as R01 |
| 07-21 | Original entry trace number | Trace number of the forward entry |
| 22-27 | Date of death | R14 and R15 only |
| 28-35 | Original receiving DFI identification | Positions 04-11 of the original entry |
| 36-79 | Addenda information | Detail an RDFI must add for R17 |
What changed
Codes that changed, and one coming
- R11 repurposed
- Since April 1, 2020, R11 means an error in an authorized debit.
- R11 counts as unauthorized
- R11 returns count toward the 0.5% unauthorized return rate.
- R17 for suspected fraud
- Codified October 1, 2024. Optional for RDFIs, marked QUESTIONABLE in the addenda.
- R06 for any reason
- ODFIs may request a return for any reason; RDFIs respond within 10 banking days.
- R90 in 2028
- A new return code for sanctions compliance, effective March 17, 2028.
Questions
What people ask about R codes.
- What is an R01 return code?
- Insufficient funds. The debit may be retried up to twice within 180 days.
- What is the R02 return code?
- Account closed. Stop debiting it and get authorization for a different account.
- What is the R03 return code?
- No account, or the account number does not match the named person.
- What is the R16 return code?
- Account frozen, or the entry was returned on OFAC's instruction.
- What is the R29 return code?
- A business receiver says a CCD or CTX debit was not authorized.
- What is the difference between R10 and R11?
- R10 means no authorization. R11 means an authorized debit had an error.
Sources
Where every fact comes from.
Primary sources only. Rules change, so check the date above.
- Nacha: ISO 20022 camt.053 guide, return and change code tables (2023)
- Nacha: RMAG Originator Essentials (2024)
- Nacha: Differentiating Unauthorized Return Reasons (R10 and R11)
- Nacha: Risk Management Topics, October 1, 2024 (R17, R06)
- Nacha: Reversals and Enforcement (extended return deadline)
- Nacha: ACH Network Risk and Enforcement Topics (return rates, reinitiation)
- Nacha: New Return Reason Code for Sanctions Compliance (R90)
- East West Bank: ACH Return Processing Guidelines (bank guide, 2024)
- Nacha: 2013 Request for Comment describing the reinitiation rule (hosted copy)
- Nacha: Calculating the administrative or overall return rate
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