ACH Return Code R31: Permissible Return Entry

Account Type: Non-Consumer

Time Frame for Return: Undefined

SEC Codes: CCD, CTX

ISO Code: NARR (Narrative)

What is an ACH Return Code?

An ACH return code is a standardized code used to explain why an Automated Clearing House (ACH) transaction was returned by the receiving bank.

Codes are issued by the Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) and maintained by Nacha, the organization that governs the ACH Network. Certain codes may apply to consumer accounts, non-consumer (business) accounts, or both. These codes help banks, payment processors, and originators understand what went wrong during an ACH transaction so they can determine the appropriate next steps, such as retrying the payment, correcting information, or contacting the customer.

Why you're seeing ACH Return Code R31

Code R31 means the RDFI returned a CCD or CTX entry with the agreement of the ODFI. This return code applies only to CCD (Corporate Credit or Debit) and CTX (Corporate Trade Exchange) ACH SEC codes, which are used for business-to-business payments. This return may have occurred because:

• Both banks agreed the payment should be returned, even though it was technically valid. The entry met normal ACH requirements but was returned by mutual agreement rather than due to an error or dispute.
• The return was allowed as a special case under Nacha rules. Nacha permits CCD and CTX entries to be returned when the ODFI consents, even if the situation does not fit a typical ACH return code.

Sending ACH Payments with Slash

You can send domestic or international ACH payments using Slash by following these steps:

1. Navigate to the Payments dashboard and click Transfer Funds in the top-right corner.
2. Select a recipient using saved contact and banking information, or add a new recipient by entering their contact and bank details.
3. Choose the Slash account you want to use as the payment source, select ACH Transfer as the payment method, choose the destination bank account, and enter the payment amount (in USD).
4. Optionally, send the recipient an email confirmation with a payment description. You can also add a memo with internal notes that are visible only to you and other Slash account administrators.
5. Review the recipient's bank name, account number, and ACH routing number to ensure the payment details are correct.
6. Once all information is confirmed, click Send Payment.

Slash offers 24/7 support by phone and email to help resolve any issues with sending payments. You can also improve how you manage ACH transfers by scheduling recurring ACH payments, receiving low-balance notifications, and tracking returned payments alongside other transactions. With Slash, you can view all account balances, ACH activity, and transfers in one centralized dashboard.