> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://every.help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Payments

> Send and receive payments with Every

## Payments

Manage all your business payments efficiently through Every's payment platform.

### Payment Methods

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="ACH Transfers" icon="landmark">
    Free electronic bank transfers
  </Card>

  <Card title="Wire Transfers" icon="zap">
    Same-day domestic and international
  </Card>

  <Card title="Check Payments" icon="receipt">
    Physical and digital checks
  </Card>

  <Card title="Card Payments" icon="credit-card">
    Debit and credit card processing
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Sending Payments

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Payment Type">
    Choose the payment method that fits your needs
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Recipient Details">
    Add recipient name, account info, and amount
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Funding Source">
    Choose which account to pay from
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Payment Date">
    Schedule for today or future date
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review & Confirm">
    Verify all details before submitting
  </Step>

  <Step title="Track Payment">
    Monitor payment status until delivered
  </Step>
</Steps>

### ACH Payments

Most cost-effective payment method:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Standard ACH">
    **Features:**

    * Free for most banks
    * 3-5 business day processing
    * Secure electronic transfer
    * Automatic tracking
    * Confirmation provided

    **Best For:**

    * Vendor payments
    * Contractor payments
    * Regular bill payments
    * Inter-account transfers
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Same-Day ACH">
    **Features:**

    * Small fee (typically \$1-5)
    * Same business day delivery
    * Cut-off times apply (2 PM ET typically)
    * \$1M transaction limit
    * Faster than standard ACH

    **Best For:**

    * Urgent vendor payments
    * Last-minute payroll corrections
    * Time-sensitive payments
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="ACH Returns">
    **Common Reasons:**

    * Insufficient funds
    * Invalid account number
    * Account closed
    * Unauthorized debit
    * Stopped payment

    **Resolution:**

    * Verify account information
    * Contact recipient
    * Resubmit payment
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Wire Transfers

For urgent or large payments:

**Domestic Wires:**

* Same-day or next-day delivery
* No transaction amount limit
* \$25-30 fee per wire
* Requires recipient bank details
* Irrevocable once sent

**International Wires:**

* 1-5 business day delivery
* \$40-50 fee per wire
* SWIFT/BIC codes required
* Currency conversion available
* Compliance checks required

<Warning>
  Wire transfers cannot be reversed. Always verify recipient details carefully before sending.
</Warning>

### Check Payments

Traditional payment method:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Physical Checks">
    **Printed & Mailed:**

    * \$1.50 per check fee
    * USPS First Class mail
    * 5-7 business day delivery
    * Tracking available
    * Check images retained

    **Requirements:**

    * Recipient mailing address
    * Payment amount and memo
    * Account to debit
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Digital Checks">
    **Electronic Delivery:**

    * Email check to recipient
    * Recipient prints and deposits
    * Instant delivery
    * Lower cost than physical
    * Environmentally friendly
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Check Security">
    **Fraud Prevention:**

    * Secure check stock
    * Watermarks and security features
    * Positive pay available
    * Check verification
    * Stop payment capability
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Receiving Payments

Accept payments from customers:

**Payment Collection Methods:**

* ACH debit authorization
* Wire transfer instructions
* Check deposits
* Card payments (if enabled)
* Payment links
* Recurring billing

**Payment Processing:**

1. Customer initiates payment
2. Payment received in account
3. Automatic notification sent
4. Transaction categorized
5. Invoice marked as paid
6. Accounting entry created

<Tip>
  Provide multiple payment options to make it easy for customers to pay you
</Tip>

### Recurring Payments

Automate regular payments:

**Use Cases:**

* Monthly rent payments
* Software subscriptions
* Loan payments
* Service retainers
* Insurance premiums
* Lease payments

**Setup:**

1. Create payment template
2. Set frequency and amount
3. Specify start and end dates
4. Designate funding account
5. Activate recurring series

**Management:**

* Pause or cancel anytime
* Modify amount or frequency
* View payment history
* Receive confirmations

### Payment Approvals

Control payment workflows:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Payment Request">
    User initiates payment request
  </Step>

  <Step title="Routing">
    Request routed based on amount/type
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review">
    Approver reviews payment details
  </Step>

  <Step title="Approve/Deny">
    Approver makes decision with notes
  </Step>

  <Step title="Processing">
    Approved payments move to processing
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execution">
    Payment sent on scheduled date
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Payment Status Tracking

Monitor payment lifecycle:

| Status           | Description                       | Typical Duration |
| ---------------- | --------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| Draft            | Payment created but not submitted | -                |
| Pending Approval | Awaiting approver action          | 1-2 days         |
| Approved         | Approved but not yet sent         | -                |
| Processing       | Payment being processed           | 1-5 days         |
| Sent             | Payment delivered                 | -                |
| Returned         | Payment unsuccessful              | -                |
| Cancelled        | Payment cancelled                 | -                |

### Payment Batching

Process multiple payments efficiently:

**Batch Features:**

* Upload payment file (CSV, Excel)
* Review and validate all payments
* Approve entire batch at once
* Track batch processing status
* Handle batch errors easily

**Best For:**

* Vendor payment runs
* Contractor payments
* Rebates or refunds
* Mass distributions

<Note>
  Batch payments can save significant time when making multiple payments
</Note>

### International Payments

Send money globally:

**Supported Features:**

* 130+ countries
* 50+ currencies
* Competitive exchange rates
* SWIFT network
* Local payment rails where available
* Real-time FX rates

**Required Information:**

* Recipient name and address
* Bank name and address
* SWIFT/BIC code
* IBAN or account number
* Purpose of payment
* Beneficiary bank details

**Compliance:**

* Know Your Customer (KYC)
* Anti-Money Laundering (AML)
* OFAC screening
* Purpose code documentation

### Payment Security

Keep payments secure:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Authentication">
    * Two-factor authentication required
    * Biometric verification available
    * Device fingerprinting
    * IP monitoring
    * Session timeouts
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Fraud Prevention">
    * Real-time fraud monitoring
    * Anomaly detection
    * Velocity limits
    * Recipient verification
    * Suspicious activity alerts
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Payment Limits">
    * Daily transaction limits
    * Per-payment maximums
    * Cumulative monthly limits
    * User-level restrictions
    * Role-based controls
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Payment Reconciliation

Match payments to bills:

* Automatic matching by invoice number
* Match by vendor and amount
* Bulk reconciliation tools
* Flag unmatched payments
* Resolve discrepancies
* Export reconciliation reports

### Payment Reports

Comprehensive payment reporting:

**Available Reports:**

* Payment history by date range
* Payments by vendor
* Payments by method
* Outstanding payments
* Failed payment report
* Payment aging report
* Cash disbursement journal

**Report Features:**

* Custom date ranges
* Multiple filter options
* Export to Excel/CSV
* Schedule automatic delivery
* Visual dashboards

### Payment Methods Comparison

Choose the right method:

| Method       | Speed         | Cost    | Best For               |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------- | ---------------------- |
| ACH          | 3-5 days      | Free    | Regular payments       |
| Same-Day ACH | Same day      | \$1-5   | Urgent, under \$1M     |
| Wire         | Same/next day | \$25-50 | Large, urgent payments |
| Check        | 5-7 days      | \$1.50  | Traditional vendors    |
| Card         | Instant       | 2.9%    | Online, instant needs  |

### Payment Scheduling

Plan ahead with scheduling:

* Schedule payments up to 1 year in advance
* Set up recurring payment series
* Calendar view of upcoming payments
* Modify scheduled payments
* Cancel before cut-off time
* Holiday schedule awareness

<Tip>
  Schedule payments a day early to account for weekends and holidays
</Tip>

### Failed Payments

Handle payment failures:

**Common Reasons:**

* Insufficient funds
* Invalid account information
* Bank restrictions
* Daily limit exceeded
* Recipient account closed

**Resolution Steps:**

1. Review failure reason
2. Correct the issue
3. Verify recipient details
4. Resubmit payment
5. Contact recipient if needed

### Payment Notifications

Stay informed about payments:

* Payment initiated confirmation
* Payment approved notification
* Payment sent confirmation
* Payment delivered update
* Payment failed alert
* Payment returned notice

Configure notification preferences per payment type.

### Payment API

Integrate payments programmatically:

```json theme={null}
{
  "recipient": "vendor@example.com",
  "amount": 1500.00,
  "currency": "USD",
  "method": "ach",
  "memo": "Invoice #12345",
  "scheduled_date": "2024-01-15"
}
```

**API Features:**

* RESTful endpoints
* Webhook notifications
* Idempotency keys
* Batch operations
* Real-time status

### Payment Best Practices

Optimize your payment process:

1. **Use ACH When Possible** - Save on fees
2. **Schedule in Advance** - Avoid rush fees
3. **Verify Recipient Details** - Prevent errors
4. **Maintain Audit Trail** - Keep payment records
5. **Review Regularly** - Check for duplicates
6. **Set Appropriate Limits** - Control exposure
7. **Enable Approvals** - Add oversight
8. **Reconcile Monthly** - Match to accounting