--- title: Refund and cancel payments subtitle: Learn how to cancel or refund a payment. route: /refunds --- # Refund and cancel payments Learn how to cancel or refund a payment. You can [cancel a payment](https://docs.stripe.com/refunds.md#cancel-payment) before it’s completed at no cost. Or you can refund all or part of a payment after it succeeds, which might incur a fee. Check out our [pricing page](https://stripe.com/pricing/local-payment-methods) for more information. Refunds use your available Stripe balance (not including pending amounts). If your available balance doesn’t cover the amount of the refund, Stripe holds the refund as pending until your Stripe balance becomes sufficient. You can resolve a negative Stripe balance by collecting payments or *topping up* your account balance. In regions where applicable, Stripe might debit your bank accounts automatically to recover a negative Stripe balance. ## Refund requests We submit refund requests to your customer’s bank or *card issuer*. Successful refunds appear on the bank statement of your customers in real time, depending on the card network and issuing bank. Disputes and chargebacks aren’t possible on credit card charges that are fully refunded. If all of the following conditions apply, we send an email to your customer notifying them of the refund: - The original charge was created on a customer in your Stripe account. - The customer has a stored email address. - You enabled **Email customers for refunds** in the [Dashboard](https://dashboard.stripe.com/account/emails). You can [view your refunded payments in the Dashboard](https://dashboard.stripe.com/test/payments?status%5B0%5D=refunded&status%5B1%5D=refund_pending&status%5B2%5D=partially_refunded). ## Issue refunds You can issue refunds by using the [Refunds API](https://docs.stripe.com/api/refunds.md) or the [Dashboard](https://dashboard.stripe.com/test/payments). To refund a payment using the Dashboard: 1. Find the payment you want to refund in the [Payments](https://dashboard.stripe.com/payments) page. 1. Click the overflow menu (⋯) to the right of the payment, then select **Refund payment**. 1. By default, you’ll issue a full refund. For a partial refund, enter a different refund amount. 1. Select a reason for the refund. If you select **Other**, you must add a note that explains the reason for the refund. Click **Refund**. Alternatively, you can click on a specific payment and issue a refund from its details page. You can also send [refund receipts](https://docs.stripe.com/receipts.md#refund-receipts) automatically or manually send a receipt for each refund. The Dashboard supports the bulk refunding of full payments. Select what payments you want to refund by checking the box to the left of each payment—even over multiple pages of results. Then, click **Refund** and select a reason. You can only issue full refunds in this way; partial refunds must be issued individually. To refund a payment using the API, [create a refund](https://docs.stripe.com/api.md#create_refund) providing the charge’s ID or [PaymentIntent](https://docs.stripe.com/api/payment_intents.md). When you use a PaymentIntent to collect payment, Stripe creates a [charge](https://docs.stripe.com/api/charges/object.md) object. To refund a payment after the PaymentIntent succeeds, create a refund using the PaymentIntent, which is the same as refunding the underlying charge. You can also refund only part of a payment by specifying an amount. If you’re using Stripe Tax APIs to record sales, you must [record refunds](https://docs.stripe.com/tax/custom.md#reversals). ```dotnet StripeConfiguration.ApiKey = "<>"; var options = new RefundCreateOptions { PaymentIntent = "pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo" }; var service = new RefundService(); Refund refund = service.Create(options); ``` ```go stripe.Key = "<>" params := &stripe.RefundParams{PaymentIntent: stripe.String("pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo")}; result, err := refund.New(params); ``` ```java Stripe.apiKey = "<>"; RefundCreateParams params = RefundCreateParams.builder().setPaymentIntent("pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo").build(); Refund refund = Refund.create(params); ``` ```node const stripe = require('stripe')('<>'); const refund = await stripe.refunds.create({ payment_intent: 'pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo', }); ``` ```python import stripe stripe.api_key = "<>" refund = stripe.Refund.create(payment_intent="pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo") ``` ```php $stripe = new \Stripe\StripeClient('<>'); $refund = $stripe->refunds->create(['payment_intent' => 'pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo']); ``` ```ruby Stripe.api_key = '<>' refund = Stripe::Refund.create({payment_intent: 'pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo'}) ``` To refund part of a PaymentIntent, provide an `amount` parameter as an integer in cents (or the charge currency’s smallest currency unit). ```dotnet StripeConfiguration.ApiKey = "<>"; var options = new RefundCreateOptions { PaymentIntent = "pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo", Amount = 1000 }; var service = new RefundService(); Refund refund = service.Create(options); ``` ```go stripe.Key = "<>" params := &stripe.RefundParams{ PaymentIntent: stripe.String("pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo"), Amount: stripe.Int64(1000), }; result, err := refund.New(params); ``` ```java Stripe.apiKey = "<>"; RefundCreateParams params = RefundCreateParams.builder().setPaymentIntent("pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo").setAmount(1000L).build(); Refund refund = Refund.create(params); ``` ```node const stripe = require('stripe')('<>'); const refund = await stripe.refunds.create({ payment_intent: 'pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo', amount: 1000, }); ``` ```python import stripe stripe.api_key = "<>" refund = stripe.Refund.create( payment_intent="pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo", amount=1000, ) ``` ```php $stripe = new \Stripe\StripeClient('<>'); $refund = $stripe->refunds->create([ 'payment_intent' => 'pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo', 'amount' => 1000, ]); ``` ```ruby Stripe.api_key = '<>' refund = Stripe::Refund.create({ payment_intent: 'pi_Aabcxyz01aDfoo', amount: 1000, }) ``` If you want to separate the [authorization and capture](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/place-a-hold-on-a-payment-method.md) of a charge, and refund a PaymentIntent that has a status of `requires_capture`, the refund process is different. In this case, the charge attached to the PaymentIntent remains uncaptured and can’t be refunded directly. You must cancel the PaymentIntent. ## Refund destinations Refunds can only be sent back to the original payment method used in a charge. You can’t send a refund to a different destination, such as another card or bank account. Refunds to expired or canceled cards are handled by the customer’s card issuer and, in most cases, credited to the customer’s replacement card. If no replacement exists, the card issuer usually delivers the refund to the customer using an alternate method (for example, check or bank account deposit). In rare cases, a refund back to a card might [fail](#failed-refunds). For other payment methods, like [ACH](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/ach-direct-debit.md) and [iDEAL](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/ideal.md), refund handling varies from bank to bank. If a customer has closed their method of payment, the bank might return the refund to us—at which point it’s marked as [failed](#failed-refunds). ## Handle failed refunds A refund can fail if the customer’s bank or card issuer can’t process it. For example, a closed bank account or a problem with the card can cause a refund to fail. When this happens, the bank returns the refunded amount to us and we add it back to your Stripe account balance. This process can take up to 30 days from the post date. When using the API, a [Refund](https://docs.stripe.com/api.md#refund_object) object’s status transitions to `failed` and includes these attributes: - `failure_balance_transaction`: The ID of the [balance transaction](https://docs.stripe.com/api.md#balance_transaction_object) representing the amount returned to your Stripe balance. - `failure_reason`: The reason why the refund failed. These reasons include: | Failure reason | Description | | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | `charge_for_pending_refund_disputed` | A customer disputed the charge while the refund is pending. In this case, we recommend [accepting or challenging](https://docs.stripe.com/disputes/responding.md#decide) the dispute instead of refunding to avoid duplicate reimbursements to the customer. | | `declined` | Refund declined by our financial partners. | | `expired_or_canceled_card` | Payment method is canceled by a customer or expired by the partner. | | `insufficient_funds` | Refund is pending due to insufficient funds and has crossed the pending refund expiry window. | | `lost_or_stolen_card` | Refund has failed due to loss or theft of the original card. | | `merchant_request` | Refund failed upon the business’s request. | | `unknown` | Refund has failed due to an unknown reason. | For some payment methods, the decline code provided by our financial partners, which indicates the reason the refund failed, is available in the `network_decline_code` field of the `destination_details` hash: ``` { id: "pyr_1234", destination_details: { blik: { network_decline_code: "decline_code" }, type: 'blik', } } ``` In the rare instance that a refund fails, we notify you using the `refund.failed` *event* (see [all refund-related events](#refund-events)). If this occurs, you need to arrange an alternative way to provide your customer with a refund. If your platform uses [Connect with destination charges](https://docs.stripe.com/connect/destination-charges.md#issue-refunds), funds from a failed refund deposit to your platform account’s Stripe balance. ## Cancel a refund Depending on the type of refund, you might be able to cancel a refund before it reaches the customer. Some card refunds support cancellation for a short period of time. The refund must not have been processed as a charge reversal. Only Dashboard cancellations are currently supported for card refunds. For some [payment methods](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/bank-transfers.md#refunds), Stripe reaches out to the customer to collect banking information before processing the refund. You can cancel these refunds while banking information hasn’t been collected. Both the API and Dashboard cancellations are supported for this type of refund. Canceled refunds transit to a `canceled` status. As cancellations are a type of refund failure, the attributes `failure_reason` and `failure_balance_transaction` are included on the [Refund](https://docs.stripe.com/api.md#refund_object). If your platform uses [Connect with destination charges](https://docs.stripe.com/connect/destination-charges.md#issue-refunds), funds from a cancelled refund deposit to your platform account’s Stripe balance. To cancel a refund using the Dashboard: 1. Find the payment associated with the refund in the [Payments](https://dashboard.stripe.com/payments) page. 1. Click the overflow menu (⋯) to the right of the payment, then select **Cancel refund**. 1. If there are multiple partial refunds, select the correct refund in the dropdown. 1. Confirm the refund cancellation by selecting **Yes, cancel refund**. Alternatively, you can click a specific payment and cancel the refund from its details page. To cancel a refund using the API, [cancel a refund](https://docs.stripe.com/api/refunds/cancel.md) providing the refund’s ID. ```dotnet StripeConfiguration.ApiKey = "<>"; var service = new RefundService(); Refund refund = service.Cancel("re_Aabcxyz01aDfoo"); ``` ```go stripe.Key = "<>" params := &stripe.RefundCancelParams{}; result, err := refund.Cancel("re_Aabcxyz01aDfoo", params); ``` ```java Stripe.apiKey = "<>"; Refund resource = Refund.retrieve("re_Aabcxyz01aDfoo"); RefundCancelParams params = RefundCancelParams.builder().build(); Refund refund = resource.cancel(params); ``` ```node const stripe = require('stripe')('<>'); const refund = await stripe.refunds.cancel('re_Aabcxyz01aDfoo'); ``` ```python import stripe stripe.api_key = "<>" refund = stripe.Refund.cancel("re_Aabcxyz01aDfoo") ``` ```php $stripe = new \Stripe\StripeClient('<>'); $refund = $stripe->refunds->cancel('re_Aabcxyz01aDfoo', []); ``` ```ruby Stripe.api_key = '<>' refund = Stripe::Refund.cancel('re_Aabcxyz01aDfoo') ``` ## Refund and reversal Some refunds—those issued shortly after the original charge—appear in the form of a *reversal* instead of a refund. In the case of a reversal, the original charge drops off the customer’s statement, and a separate credit isn’t issued. *IC+* users might see a difference in cost between reversals and refunds because reversals usually incur lower network fees. To verify if a refund goes through as a reversal on the Dashboard: 1. Open the payment details page of the payment associated with the refund. 1. In the Timeline, click **View Details** on the refund entry. 1. If it’s a reversal, a corresponding message displays. To verify if a refund goes through as a reversal using the API: 1. Consume the `refund.updated` [event](#refund-events) or [retrieve the refund](https://docs.stripe.com/api/refunds/retrieve.md) with the API. 1. If it’s a reversal, it returns`destination_details[card][type] = 'reversal'`. ## Trace a refund After you initiate a refund, Stripe submits refund requests to your customer’s bank or card issuer. Your customer sees the refund as a credit approximately 5-10 business days later, depending upon the bank. A customer might contact you if they don’t see the refund. A refund might not be visible to the customer for several reasons: - Refunds issued shortly after the original charge appear in the form of a reversal instead of a refund. In the case of a reversal, the original charge drops off the customer’s statement, and a separate credit isn’t issued. - Refunds can fail if the customer’s bank or card issuer has been unable to process it correctly. The bank returns the refunded amount to us and we add it back to your Stripe account balance. This process can take up to 30 days from requesting the refund. If a customer is asking about a refund, it can be helpful to give them the primary reference number corresponding to the refund. For card refunds, it can be an **Acquirer Reference Number (ARN)**, **System Trace Audit Number (STAN)**, or **Retrieval Reference Number (RRN)**. An ARN, STAN, or RRN is a reference number assigned to a card transaction as it moves through the payment flow. For local payment method refunds, it can be a reference number generated by Stripe or our financial partners which is propagated to the beneficiary banks or institutions. Your customer can then take this reference to their bank, which can provide more information about when the refund is available. Having a reference number can also increase your customer’s confidence that the refund has been initiated. Refund references are available under the following conditions: - They’re supported for some financial partners, and marked as unavailable otherwise. - It takes up to 7 business days after initiating the refund to receive the ARN from downstream banking partners. - An ARN isn’t available in the case of a reversal, since the original charge isn’t processed. For card networks that don’t support ARNs, we attempt to provide other references such as System Trace Audit Number (STAN) or Retrieval Reference Number (RRN). To find the reference of a refund using the Dashboard: 1. Open the payment details page of the payment associated with the refund. 1. In the Timeline, click **View Details** on the refund entry. 1. Where available, Stripe shows the ARN or STAN on the clipboard. To find the reference of a refund using the API: 1. Consume the `refund.updated` [event](#refund-events) or [retrieve the refund](https://docs.stripe.com/api/refunds/retrieve.md) with the API. 1. Where available, Stripe shows the card refund reference in the following API shape: ``` { id: "re_1234", destination_details: { card: { reference: "123456", reference_status: "available", reference_type: "acquirer_reference_number", type: "refund" }, type: "card", } } ``` Or the reference for selected local payment methods in the following API shape: ``` { id: "pyr_1234", destination_details: { eu_bank_transfer: { reference: "123456", reference_status: "available" }, type: "eu_bank_transfer", } } ``` ## Cancel a payment You can cancel a payment using the Dashboard only when its status is `uncaptured`. To cancel a payment with other statuses, you must use the API. To cancel uncaptured payments using the Dashboard: 1. Find the payment you want to cancel in the [Payments](https://dashboard.stripe.com/payments) page. 1. Click the overflow menu (⋯) to the right of the payment, then select **Cancel payment**. 1. Select a reason for canceling, and click **Yes**. If you select **Other**, you must add a note that explains the reason for canceling the payment. If you no longer intend to collect a payment, you can [cancel a PaymentIntent](https://docs.stripe.com/api/payment_intents/cancel.md). You can keep a PaymentIntent in an incomplete status, like `requires_confirmation` or `requires_payment_method`, because incomplete PaymentIntents are useful in understanding the conversion rate at checkout. The following code example shows a request to cancel a PaymentIntent: ```dotnet StripeConfiguration.ApiKey = "<>"; var service = new PaymentIntentService(); PaymentIntent paymentIntent = service.Cancel("pi_32AkjQ5H4Bas2eAolX13"); ``` ```go stripe.Key = "<>" params := &stripe.PaymentIntentCancelParams{}; result, err := paymentintent.Cancel("pi_32AkjQ5H4Bas2eAolX13", params); ``` ```java Stripe.apiKey = "<>"; PaymentIntent resource = PaymentIntent.retrieve("pi_32AkjQ5H4Bas2eAolX13"); PaymentIntentCancelParams params = PaymentIntentCancelParams.builder().build(); PaymentIntent paymentIntent = resource.cancel(params); ``` ```node const stripe = require('stripe')('<>'); const paymentIntent = await stripe.paymentIntents.cancel('pi_32AkjQ5H4Bas2eAolX13'); ``` ```python import stripe stripe.api_key = "<>" payment_intent = stripe.PaymentIntent.cancel("pi_32AkjQ5H4Bas2eAolX13") ``` ```php $stripe = new \Stripe\StripeClient('<>'); $paymentIntent = $stripe->paymentIntents->cancel('pi_32AkjQ5H4Bas2eAolX13', []); ``` ```ruby Stripe.api_key = '<>' payment_intent = Stripe::PaymentIntent.cancel('pi_32AkjQ5H4Bas2eAolX13') ``` You can only cancel a PaymentIntent when it has one of the following statuses: - `requires_payment_method` - `requires_capture` - `requires_confirmation` - `requires_action` - `processing` (only when the associated payment method is US Bank Account) A PaymentIntent can’t be canceled after it has succeeded. When a PaymentIntent is canceled, you can no longer use it to perform additional charges. Any operations that your application attempts to perform on a canceled PaymentIntent fails with an error. ## Refund events Stripe triggers [events](https://docs.stripe.com/api/events.md#events) every time a refund is created or changed. Some other actions, like reviews closing, also trigger events that are relevant to refunds. Make sure that your integration is set up to [handle events](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/handling-payment-events.md). You must also build internal logic for notifying customers or your team about the state of the refund process. At a minimum, Stripe recommends that you listen for the `refund.created` event. The following table describes the most common events related to refunds. | Event | Description | | ----------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | `refund.created` | Sent when a refund is created. | | `refund.updated` | Sent when the refund is updated. Updates include adding metadata and providing details like the [ARN as a reference number to trace refunds](#tracing-refunds). | | `refund.failed` | Sent when a [refund has failed](#failed-refunds). | | `charge.dispute.funds_reinstated` | Sent when funds are reinstated to your account after a dispute is closed, including [partially refunded payments](https://docs.stripe.com/disputes/best-practices.md#partial-refund-bp). | | `charge.refunded` | Sent when a charge is refunded, including partial refunds. Listen to `refund.created` for information about the refund. | | `review.closed` | Sent when a [review](https://docs.stripe.com/api/events/types.md#review_object) is closed. See the `reason` field to understand why it was closed, one of: `approved`, `disputed`, `refunded`, or `refunded_as_fraud`. | | `source.refund_attributes_required` | Sent when the receiver source requires refund attributes to process a refund or a mispayment. | | `charge.refund.updated` | Sent when the refund is updated, only for refunds with a corresponding charge. Listen to `refund.updated` for updates on all refunds instead. | ## Cost optimization If your business processes a large volume of refunds close to the time of transaction, we recommend using [manual authorization and capture](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/place-a-hold-on-a-payment-method.md) to reduce your refund costs. Manual authorization and capture lets you better control costs by canceling payments before they’re captured, or by reducing your captured amount rather than processing a refund. ## See Also - [Add funds to your Stripe balance](https://docs.stripe.com/get-started/account/add-funds.md) - [Add funds to your platform balance](https://docs.stripe.com/connect/top-ups.md) - [Currency conversion](https://docs.stripe.com/currencies/conversions.md)