> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.anedot.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.anedot.com/finance/management-and-reporting/transactions/refunds-and-voids.md). # Refunds and Voids Void or refund a card, bank, or PayPal donation in Finance > Transactions. See the void window, refund limits, fees, and how chargebacks and ACH returns work. **Refunds** and **voids** return money to a donor from **Finance > Transactions**. A void cancels a recent card or bank charge and all its fees, and a refund returns all or part of a completed donation. This article covers when each is available, how to void or refund a transaction, what happens next, and how chargebacks and ACH returns work. ## Before You Begin * **Permissions:** Your role needs **Transactions: Edit permissions**. Without it, **Void** and **Refund** don't appear. See [Permission Sets](/settings/access/permission-sets.md). * **Buttons:** **Void** and **Refund** only appear when that action is available for the gift. They're hidden, not disabled. ## When You Can Void or Refund * **Void:** Available until the end of the hour that falls 3 hours after the charge settles. While a gift can be voided, **Refund** doesn't appear. * **Refund:** Available once the gift can no longer be voided, for up to 14 months after the gift. * **Bank (ACH) gifts:** Can be refunded starting 8 days after the gift. * **PayPal gifts:** Can be refunded, but not voided. * **Bitcoin gifts:** Can't be refunded or voided. * **Offline gifts** (cash, check, in-kind, and offline card): Can't be refunded or voided. You can edit or delete them instead. See [Offline Entry](/finance/internal-processing/offline-entry.md). * **Partial refunds:** A gift can only be partially refunded once. After that, **Refund** and **Void** no longer appear. ### Example A card charge that settled at 2:10 PM can be voided until 5:59 PM. After that, **Refund** appears instead. ## Void a Transaction To void a transaction: 1. Go to **Finance > Transactions**. 2. Click the donor's name to open the transaction. 3. Click **Void**. 4. Click **Void transaction** to confirm. You'll see "Transaction voided." and the status changes to **Voided**. {% hint style="danger" %} This action cannot be undone. The confirmation reads "Voiding cancels this authorization. This cannot be undone." {% endhint %} ## Refund a Transaction To refund a transaction: 1. Go to **Finance > Transactions**. 2. Click the donor's name to open the transaction. 3. Click **Refund**. The dialog shows the most you can refund. This amount doesn't include fees the donor covered. 4. Choose **Full refund** or **Partial refund**. 5. (Optional) For a partial refund, enter the amount in **Amount (USD)**. 6. Click the **Refund** button, which shows the amount, for example **Refund $25.00**. You'll see "Transaction refunded" with the amount, and the status changes to **Refunded** or **Partially refunded**. {% hint style="warning" %} You can only issue one partial refund per gift. Check the amount on the button before you click it. {% endhint %} ### Example A donor gave $50 and asks for $25 back. Choose **Partial refund**, enter 25.00, and click **Refund $25.00**. ## What Happens After a Refund or Void * **Status:** The status usually updates within about 30 seconds. If it hasn't, refresh the page. Don't submit the refund or void again. * **Emails:** The donor gets an email if the gift has an email address. Your team members get one if they have **Refund, void, or reversal** turned on in their notification settings and can see the gift. This setting is on by default, and each user can turn theirs off. * **Failed refunds:** If a refund can't be processed, the person who tried it may get a "Transaction Refund Failed" email. If the status hasn't changed after a few minutes, contact our Support team. * **Balance:** The amount comes out of your **Balance** right away. If refunds are more than your new gifts, your balance can go negative, and the difference may be taken from your bank account on your next scheduled transfer. See [Payouts](/finance/management-and-reporting/payouts.md). * **Recurring gifts:** Refunding one payment of a recurring gift doesn't stop future payments. To stop them, cancel the recurring gift in [Commitments](/finance/management-and-reporting/commitments.md). ### Fees * **Voids:** A void cancels the charge and all its fees. * **Refunds:** Refunding doesn't cost extra. Anedot's processing fees aren't returned. * **Partial refunds:** A partial refund returns the same share of each fee that a full refund would return. ## Chargebacks A **chargeback** happens when a donor disputes a gift with their bank or card issuer. Anedot records the chargeback, and the transaction shows **Chargeback**. * The gift comes out of your balance, and Anedot charges a $15 chargeback fee. * If the chargeback is reversed in your favor, the status changes to **Chargeback reversed** and the gift amount is restored. The $15 fee stays. * The donor and your team are emailed. A reversal in your favor uses its own notification setting, **Chargeback reversal (in your favor)**, which is on by default. * You can't respond to or track a dispute in Anedot. Many disputes are filed by mistake, so reach out to the donor. If it was an error, the donor can ask their bank to cancel it. For full details, see [Anedot's Terms of Service](https://www.anedot.com/terms-for-fundraising-organizations). ## ACH Returns An **ACH return** happens when the donor's bank sends back a bank (ACH) payment. A common cause is incorrect bank details. * Anedot records the return, and the transaction shows **ACH returned**. * The gift comes out of your balance, and a $2 return fee is charged. * You and the donor are emailed. ## Troubleshooting * **Refund or Void doesn't appear.**\ The action isn't available for that gift. Check [When You Can Void or Refund](/finance/management-and-reporting/transactions/refunds-and-voids.md#when-you-can-void-or-refund), and confirm your role has **Transactions: Edit permissions**. * **Only Void appears.**\ The gift is still in the void window. **Refund** appears after the window closes. * **Neither button appears after a partial refund.**\ A gift can only be partially refunded once. After that, **Refund** and **Void** no longer appear. * **"Your role cannot refund, void, or edit transactions."**\ Ask an Admin User on your account to give your role **Transactions: Edit permissions**. * **"That amount isn't valid. Use digits, like 4,500.00."**\ Enter the partial amount using digits, with up to two decimal places. * **"Enter an amount between $0.01 and $50.00."**\ The amount is outside what you can refund. The message shows your maximum, so enter an amount within that range. * **The status hasn't changed after a refund.**\ Refresh the page. Don't refund again. If the status hasn't changed after a few minutes, contact our Support team. * **A gift can't be refunded in Anedot.**\ Return the money to the donor by check or another method outside Anedot. If the issue continues, contact our Support team. ## Frequently Asked Questions * **What's the difference between a void and a refund?**\ A void cancels a recent charge and all its fees. A refund returns money after the void window closes. Anedot's processing fees aren't returned on a refund. * **How long do I have to refund a donation?**\ Up to 14 months after the gift. Bank (ACH) gifts can be refunded starting 8 days after the gift. * **How long do I have to void a donation?**\ Until the end of the hour that falls 3 hours after the charge settles. * **Can I issue more than one partial refund?**\ No. A gift can only be partially refunded once. * **Can I refund a Bitcoin or PayPal gift?**\ PayPal gifts can be refunded but not voided. Bitcoin gifts can't be refunded or voided in Anedot. * **Does a refund stop a recurring gift?**\ No. Refunding one payment doesn't stop future payments. Cancel the recurring gift in [Commitments](/finance/management-and-reporting/commitments.md). * **Does the donor get notified?**\ Yes, if the gift has an email address. The donor is emailed for every refund, partial refund, void, chargeback, and ACH return. ## Related Articles * [Transactions](/finance/management-and-reporting/transactions.md) * [Payouts](/finance/management-and-reporting/payouts.md) * [Commitments](/finance/management-and-reporting/commitments.md) * [Terminal](/finance/internal-processing/terminal.md) * [Offline Entry](/finance/internal-processing/offline-entry.md) * [Entries](/finance/management-and-reporting/entries.md) * [Permission Sets](/settings/access/permission-sets.md) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. 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