TABLE OF CONTENTS
To resolve ACH payment processing problems, like an ACH return code R19, you must understand how an ODFI and RDFI interact during ACH payments. Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments are electronic funds transfers with the advantage of a bank-to-bank connection through the ACH Network. An Originating Depository Financial Institution (ODFI) initiates the ACH transaction. When an ACH transaction is complete, a Receiving Depository Financial Institution (RDFI) receives a debited or credited entry depending on whether the nature of the transaction is a charge or refund.
The National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA) governs the ACH Network. NACHA creates rules and regulations that institutions within the ACH Network must follow. This helps limit errors and manage risk. An ACH payment processing error occurs when NACHA doesn’t validate an ACH payment. NACHA maintains a list of more than 80 ACH return codes, one of which is the R19 ACH return code. Each specific code provides an explanation for the return of the transaction.
Because of the bank-to-bank advantage that the ACH Network provides, ACH payments reduce wait time and increase cash flow. These factors make ACH payments popular among business owners. Employees who value the convenience and timeliness of direct deposit paychecks also experience the benefits of the ACH Network. Additionally, consumers enrolled in autopay for their monthly bills enjoy many advantages through the ACH Network. While ACH payments are beneficial for your business, encountering a return code can be a frustrating experience. In order to resolve a return code, you must understand the underlying issue prompting the return code in the first place.
What Does ACH Return Code R19 Mean?
If you receive ACH return code R19, it means “amount field error.” The code appears when the computer cannot record the amount field of the ACH payment.
Formal Definition
The ACH return code R19 occurs when the amount field is unable to be recorded. This typically arises because the amount field is non-numeric, zero, or exceeding $25,000.
Solutions to Fix R19 Return Code
When you encounter an ACH return code R19, the amount field has been improperly formatted in some way. To correct this return code, the amount field needs modification.
- Non-numeric: If the amount field contains a non-numeric, like a letter or symbol, the solution is to reenter the amount using only acceptable numbers.
- Zero: If the amount field is listed as zero, the solution is to reenter an amount greater than zero.
- Exceeding $25,000: If the amount field is over $25,000, the solution is to reenter an amount less than $25,000. This may require breaking down this transaction into more than one ACH payment.
