R15

What Is ACH Return Code R15?

ACH return codes are used to identify the reason an ACH payment has been returned by the recipient's bank. They make it easier for originating and receiving financial institutions to spot and communicate payment failures.

ACH Return Code R15, also known as "Beneficiary or Account Holder Deceased," is a standard code used in Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions. It indicates that the beneficiary or account holder listed in the transaction is deceased.

How To Address ACH Return Code R15

Nacha prescribes separate rules for handling each return code since each one represents a unique scenario. ODFIs (Originating Depository Financial Institutions) and RDFIs (Receiving Depository Financial Institutions) are responsible for handling ACH return codes according to these rules.

If you encounter R15, unfortunately, your customer is deceased. As a result, the transaction cannot be processed further. The customer’s bank must return the transaction with code R15 within 2 banking days.

What Is An ACH Return Code?

ACH return codes identify the reason an ACH payment was returned by the recipient's bank. They make it easier for originating and receiving financial institutions to spot and communicate payment failures. Each code begins with 'R' followed by a two digit number. ACH return codes are standardized and maintained by NACHA, the governing body for the ACH network.