---
title: Invoicing and ACH Direct Debit
subtitle: Configure, create, and process invoices using ACH Direct Debit.
route: /invoicing/ach-direct-debit
---

# Invoicing and ACH Direct Debit

Configure, create, and process invoices using ACH Direct Debit.

To reduce costs, many merchants make card payment methods unavailable above a certain *invoice* total amount, and prefer payment from bank methods like ACH Direct Debit.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to configure, create, and process invoices to use the [ACH Direct Debit](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/ach-direct-debit.md) payment method. Stripe users in the United States can accept **ACH Direct Debit** from end customers with US bank accounts using the Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments system operated by [Nacha](https://www.nacha.org/content/ach-network). A *Connect* platform that integrates ACH Direct Debit has more [advanced options available](#fee-splitting). To begin, determine whether:

- Your customers [enter bank account information](#default-payment-method) to pay their invoices.
- You [collect and verify bank account information upfront](#precollected-bank-information) and automatically process invoices.

If you give a customer an invoice link to pay a one-off invoice, Stripe automatically saves their bank information allowing reuse on future invoices. You can also add the bank customer’s information directly through the customer details page.

## Set up ACH Direct Debit 

You can either set ACH Direct Debit as a default payment method, or add it when you [create an invoice](https://docs.stripe.com/invoicing/dashboard.md#create-invoice).

To set ACH Direct Debit as a default payment method type:

1. On the [Billing settings](https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/billing/invoice) page, under **Invoicing settings** > **Default payment methods**, click **Edit payment methods**.
1. On the **Billing Payments** page, under **Bank debits**, click **Turn on** to enable **ACH Direct Debit** as a default payment method.

Your customers can pay an invoice by using the [Hosted Invoice Page](https://docs.stripe.com/invoicing/hosted-invoice-page.md) to enter their bank account information or select the default payment method. If there isn’t a default payment method, the invoice includes all available payment methods.

To set ACH Direct Debit as the default payment method type, add `us_bank_account` to the `payment_method_types` array under the optional [payment_settings](https://docs.stripe.com/api/invoices/object.md#invoice_object-payment_settings-payment_method_types) parameter. This results in an invoice that a customer can only pay by using ACH Direct Debit—regardless of the other available default payment methods. If you want to include additional payment methods, add them to the `payment_method_types` array.

Your customer can then use ACH Direct Debit along with the other added payment methods. For [payment method options](https://docs.stripe.com/api/invoices/object.md#invoice_object-payment_settings-payment_method_options-us_bank_account), such as requesting additional linked account data, see the [ACH guide](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/ach-direct-debit.md).

```missingLanguage
payment_settings: {
  payment_method_types:[`us_bank_account`]
},
```

## Pre-collected bank information 

You can collect bank account information for future payments with **ACH Direct Debit**. After you add a customer’s ACH details, they must verify their payment information with microdeposits, which can take up to 2 days.

To pre-collect a customer’s bank information:

1. On the [Customers](https://dashboard.stripe.com/customers) page, select a customer name.
1. On the customer page, under **Payment methods**, click the plus (**+**) symbol, and select **Add US bank account**.
1. On the **Add a US bank account** page, enter the payment details, and click **Add US bank account**.
1. After verification, click the overflow menu (⋯) next to the payment method, and select **Set as default**.

Whenever you create a new invoice for your customer, select **Charge immediately** to automatically charge the default payment method on file. For a finalized invoice, you can also click **Charge customer** on the invoice details page, and select the saved ACH Direct Debit payment method to initiate the transaction.

Every finalized invoice has an associated payment intent. You can [confirm a PaymentIntent](https://docs.stripe.com/api/payment_intents/confirm.md) to process the invoice.

## Payment completions 

For any invoice with ACH Direct Debit enabled as a payment method, your customer can enter their bank account information on the Hosted Invoice Page to start a debit payment.

Your customer must do the following to complete payment:

1. On the Hosted Invoice Page, select **US bank account**.
1. Search for and select the bank.
1. Initiate login with the bank and agree to the terms of service.
1. Select the bank account and click **Connect account**.
1. After successfully connecting the account, click **Back** to go to the invoice.
1. Click **Pay** and agree to the terms of service.

## Enhanced fee splitting   

Payment methods (such as credit and debit cards) have a fixed percentage charged over the whole amount. But low cost payment methods (such as **ACH Direct Debit**) are usually capped. For platforms looking to dynamically reflect this fee arrangement to their businesses, Stripe recommends that you separate your charges and transfers (as opposed to using the basic `application_fee_amount` parameter). With separate charges and transfers, your platform can transfer the business’ share of funds minus the appropriate fee amount based on the payment method type.

## Test the integration 

You can test customer bank account entry through instant verification or microdeposits.

### Instant verification 

You can instantly verify a bank account in a *sandbox*. Refresh the page to view the paid invoice.

1. Create an invoice in a sandbox.
1. Under **Payment collection**, select **Request payment in full** > **Manage payment methods**.
1. In the **Payment methods for this invoice** dialog, enable **ACH direct debit**, and click **Save**.
1. Enter the invoice details, and click **Send invoice**.
1. On the invoice details page, under **Details**, click the **Payment page** link.
1. On the Hosted Invoice Page, select **US bank account** > **Test Institution**.
1. Initiate login with the bank and agree to the terms of service.
1. Select the bank account and click **Connect account**.
1. After successfully connecting the account, click **Back** to go to the invoice.
1. Click **Pay** and agree to the terms of service.

### Microdeposits 

You can manually verify bank accounts using microdeposits. In live mode, it takes several days for the transaction to complete. But in a sandbox, the transaction clears immediately and the invoice is paid.

1. Create an invoice in a sandbox.
1. Under **Payment collection**, select **Request payment in full** > **Manage payment methods**.
1. In the **Payment methods for this invoice** dialog, enable **ACH Direct Debit**, and click **Save**.
1. Enter the invoice details, and click **Send invoice**.
1. On the invoice details page, under **Details**, click the **Payment page** link.
1. On the Hosted Invoice Page, select **US bank account**, and then click **Pay**.
1. Click **Enter bank details manually instead** to verify the bank account with microdeposits.
1. In the **Enter bank details** dialog, click **Use test account** to use a [test routing number and bank account](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/ach-direct-debit/accept-a-payment.md#test-account-numbers).
1. After successfully adding the account, click **Back** to go to the invoice.

Next, finish initiating microdeposits in your Stripe account. You can expect an email with instructions within 1-2 business days.

## See Also

- [Payment methods](https://docs.stripe.com/invoicing/payment-methods.md)
- [Hosted invoice page](https://docs.stripe.com/invoicing/hosted-invoice-page.md)
- [Invoicing API](https://docs.stripe.com/api/invoices.md)