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ACH return rate calculator — Nacha 0.5%, 3% and 15% limits
Enter the debit entries you originated and paste the return codes you received: the calculator shows your unauthorized (R05, R07, R10, R11, R29, R51), administrative (R02–R04) and overall return rates against Nacha's thresholds, and how much headroom is left.
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How Nacha return rates are calculated
All three rates divide a number of returned debit entries by the number of debit entries originated by the same originator or third-party sender over the same period — Nacha measures the preceding 60 days or two calendar months. Credits are not part of the calculation.
| Rate | Return codes in the numerator | Threshold | What happens when it is exceeded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized entry return rate | R05, R07, R10, R11, R29, R51 | 0.5% | A threshold: the ODFI must report to Nacha on request and bring the rate below 0.5% within 30 days; Nacha can start an enforcement proceeding. |
| Administrative return rate | R02, R03, R04 | 3.0% | A review level: exceeding it can trigger an inquiry by Nacha into the originator. |
| Overall return rate | all return reason codes | 15.0% | A review level, as above. RCK entries and their returns may be left out of both the numerator and the denominator. |
The unauthorized category covers debits the receiver says it never authorized or no longer authorizes; these returns can arrive up to 60 days after settlement, so the rate for a period keeps rising after the period ends. Administrative returns (account closed, no account, invalid account number) are typically data-quality problems — a prenote or account validation before the first debit helps.
Bringing the rates down
- Act on NOCs (C01–C13) before the next entry: a correction that is ignored now often comes back later as an R03 or R04. SafeACH decodes NOC files with the corrected values.
- Do not re-debit after R02, R03, R04, R05, R07, R08, R10, R11, R16, R29 without a fix — a new authorization, corrected account data or a stopped payment resolved. Only R01 and R09 may be reinitiated as they are (at most twice within 180 days).
- Watch R10 and R11 by product or channel; one bad lead source can push the unauthorized rate over 0.5% on its own.
FAQ
Which return codes count toward the Nacha unauthorized return rate?
R05, R07, R10, R11, R29, R51. The unauthorized entry return rate is those returned debits divided by all debit entries originated in the same period, and must not exceed 0.5%.
What is the Nacha administrative return rate?
Debit entries returned with R02 (account closed), R03 (no account / unable to locate) or R04 (invalid account number), divided by all debit entries originated in the period. The review level is 3.0%.
What is the overall ACH return rate limit?
Returned debit entries for any reason divided by debit entries originated, with a review level of 15.0%. RCK entries and their returns may be excluded from both numbers.
Over what period are ACH return rates measured?
Nacha uses the preceding 60 days or two calendar months; use the same period for the debits originated and the returns received.
Last updated 2026-11-12. Something wrong or missing? Email support@biteapps.cc.