Setting Up an ACH Payment - Universal Service Administrative Company (2024)

There are two ways to send an ACH transfer from yourbank after you’ve started your payment inE-Fileand have a unique Identification Number for your payment.

  • Using your bank’s websiteOR
  • Using your accounting system

It’s important to note that for either of these methods we must receiveallof the following information in the correct fields to accept your payment. Also, be sure to read ourTips for Success.

Record TypeFieldData Element NameDefinitionComment
531. Company NameYour company nameNever changes
562. Standard Entry Class CodeCCDNever changes
593. Effective Entry DateEntry DateChanges every payment
624. Transaction Code22 – Demand CreditNever changes
63 & 45. Receiving DFI Identification (ABA Routing #)Listed in E-File for security purposesNever changes
656. DFI Account NumberListed in E-File for security purposesNever changes
667. AmountPayment Amount (must be the exact amount you put in E-File)May change every payment
678. Identification NumberID number (E-File will generate a new number for every payment)Changes every payment
689. Receiving Company NameUSAC PaymentNever changes

Using Your Bank’s Website

The first way to send an ACH payment is using your bank’s website. The challenge when using your bank’s interface is making sure that you’re entering the right data into the right field because the fields don’t always follow the same order as above.

You’ll need to pay special attention to where to put the unique “Identification Number” that E-File gives you for every payment. It must go in the ID field for the receiver/payee. This field is called different names in different systems. For example, in JP Morgan’s system, the field is called “Beneficiary ID Number” while in Bank of America’s CashPro system the field is called the “Vendor ID” field.

Using Your Accounting System

The second way to send an ACH payments is to enter data into your accounting system. This creates a file in the NACHA format that is transmitted to your bank.

The Identification Number must be put in the NACHA standard for “Entry Detail Record Type Code 6, Field Number 7 – Identification Number.” You may have to get your IT department to identify a specific field in your accounting system that will store the Identification Number and they may also have to update the system to include this number in the right field. If the Identification Number is in the wrong field, your ACH transfer will be rejected.

We recommend dedicating sufficient time to setup this new process as this could take more time than you think, depending on your system.

Tips for Success

  • Find outnowwhich field is the correct field for the Identification Number. This could take time if you need to work with your bank or IT department.
  • Youmustinclude the unique Identification Number for your payment and put it in the correct field or the U.S. Treasury will reject your payment.
  • Do notput the Identification Number in the addendum or comments.
  • Your bank or your company may require more information to make a transfer, such as USAC’s Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). We’ve posted this information in theE-FileFAQs, under “Company and Banking Information.” Contact us if you need other information to process a payment.
  • Your ACH payment may seem like it processed correctly at first. It can take several days before you receive a rejection notice if your file didn’t contain the required data in the required format.
  • Lastly, we recommend you process small ACH payments (such as $1.00) to test this process before the next invoice deadline. All payments will be credited to your account.
Setting Up an ACH Payment - Universal Service Administrative Company (2024)

FAQs

How to set up an ACH account? ›

Accepting payments through ACH is a lot less expensive than paying credit card fees, so businesses get to keep more of their money.
  1. Step 1: Sign in to BILL. ...
  2. Step 2: Add a bank account. ...
  3. Step 3: Add a vendor. ...
  4. Step 4: Connect. ...
  5. Step 5: Pay by ACH, or get paid.

How do I create an ACH payment form? ›

Requirements of an ACH Authorization Form
  1. Payor's name and contact information.
  2. Payee's name and contact information.
  3. Payment details. ...
  4. Authorization statement.
  5. Recourse statement.
  6. Payor's bank details.
  7. Date of agreement and signature.
  8. Sample of a Paper ACH Form.
May 15, 2024

Can individuals set up ACH payments? ›

ACH Direct Payments

Direct payments can be used by individuals, businesses, and other organizations to send money. For example, if you're paying a bill online with your bank account, that's an ACH direct payment.

How do I offer ACH payments to customers? ›

How to accept ACH payments
  1. Step 1: Create an ACH merchant account. The first order of business is to set up your own ACH merchant account. ...
  2. Step 2: Request customer authorization. ...
  3. Step 3: Set up the payment. ...
  4. Step 4: Submit your payment details.

What are ACH requirements? ›

ACH Payment Requirements:

The name of the financial institution receiving the funds (bank or credit union) The type of account at that bank (checking vs. savings) The ABA routing number of the financial institution. The recipient's account number.

How much does it cost to set up ACH payments? ›

How Much Does ACH Payment Processing Cost?
Fee TypeAverage cost
Transactional flat fee$0.20 – $1.50
Transactional percentage fee0.5% – 1.5%
Fee per month~$15
Batch fee$0 – 1.00
1 more row

What information is needed for ACH payment? ›

To make a transfer, you'll need to provide your name, routing/ABA number, account number, account type, and transaction amount.

How is an ACH initiated? ›

The ACH transaction is initiated

ACH payments begin when the originator (payer)starts the process by requesting the transaction. The originator can be a consumer, business, or a government agency. The transaction can be a deposit or a credit or debit payment.

How do I pay someone with an ACH? ›

To send an ACH transfer, you'll need the account information of where you want to send the money. Once you have that, you'll submit the payment through your online banking portal or PayPal.

Does ACH get reported to IRS? ›

Are ACH transfers reported to the IRS? The IRS doesn't count ACH transfers as cash, so they are not reported.

Is Zelle an ACH transfer? ›

Basically, all Zelle payments are (instant) ACH payments but not all ACH payments are Zelle payments. The primary difference between Zelle and regular ACH payments is related to speed—whereas a standard ACH payment can take 2-5 days to clear, Zelle payments tend to clear in minutes.

What is the risk of paying with ACH? ›

Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments are popular because they're low-cost and accessible. But they come with risks, especially for returns. Often the result of fraud or insufficient funds, an ACH return is a rejected or incomplete payment. At scale, returns can eat into profits, counteracting ACH's low cost.

How to create an ACH payment? ›

How to make an ACH debit payment
  1. Get the ACH debit authorisation form for the organization you need to pay.
  2. Complete your personal information — this can often be done online.
  3. Set the agreed payment date and schedule.
  4. Check everything over, confirm, and submit following the organization and your bank's processes.
Jan 16, 2023

How do you ask a customer to pay by ACH? ›

Let them know how the problem can be avoided with an ACH payment. (Bonus recommendation) Provide instruction on how to pay by ACH. Leverage the one communication your customer probably pays attention to: the bill or invoice. Lobby to have clear ACH payment instructions provided on bills/invoices and your website.

How do I convince a vendor to accept my ACH payment? ›

Ask that they make ACH part of their discussion with new vendors. Have them tell new vendors that ACH is the preferred method of payment in contracts. Whenever a vendor calls to complain that a check payment hasn't been received, discuss ACH with them, reminding them of the slower US mail.

Do you need both routing and account number for ACH? ›

In order to withdraw funds from your US account using the Federal ACH network, you will need to have two account details at hand; your ACH routing number and account number.

Do all banks allow ACH transfers? ›

All banks in the United States can use ACH, as all that's needed to receive an ACH transfer is a valid bank account and routing number.

Can I do an ACH transfer to someone else's bank account? ›

A direct bank-to-bank payment, called an Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer, allows you to send money from your checking or savings account to someone else's account, even if it's at a different bank. This is the same technology used when employers send paychecks via direct deposit, or if you use online bill pay.

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