> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.alternativepayments.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.alternativepayments.io/payments-and-invoicing/pos/pos-refunds-cancels-and-payouts.md).

# Cancel, Refund, and POS Payouts

**Stop a payment still in progress on the terminal, refund one that already went through from your dashboard, and see POS payouts in Transactions.**

***

Cancel and refund are not the same thing. Cancel is for a payment that has not finished. Refund is for a payment that already approved. Getting this right keeps your Transactions table clean and your customer from being charged twice.

Please note that **all refunds take 3 - 5 business days to process.** Credit card fees for refunded transactions are the responsibility of the partner, and will be added to the refund amount. You can reach out to <customersuccess@alternativepayments.io> with any questions.

***

### **Cancel a payment on the terminal**

Use this when the sale is still on the terminal and has not been approved yet — wrong amount, customer changed their mind, or the card was presented by mistake.

1. Tap **X** on the terminal before the payment is approved.
2. Confirm the terminal shows the sale as canceled.
3. Do not expect that attempt to appear in your dashboard. Canceled sales are not posted as transactions.

If the terminal already showed **approved**, it is too late to cancel. Issue a refund instead.

***

### **Refund a POS payment from your dashboard**

POS payments are not attached to an invoice, so you refund them from the **payment**, not from an invoice page.

1. **Log into your Alternative Payments** [**Partner Dashboard**](https://app.alternativepayments.io/)
2. **Open Transactions**\
   \
   From the sidebar, go to **Accounts receivable**, then [**Transactions**](https://app.alternativepayments.io/dashboard/all-transactions). Stay on the **Payments** tab. Filter **Type** to **Point of Sale (POS)** if you need to narrow the list.
3. **Open the payment**\
   \
   Click the sale to open **Payment details**. Confirm **Transaction type** is Point of Sale (POS). See [POS Receipts and Reference Numbers](/payments-and-invoicing/pos/pos-receipts-and-reference-numbers.md).
4. **Refund the payment**\
   \
   Click **Refund payment** at the top of the page, choose a reason, and confirm.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Note:** Credit card fees for refunds are incurred by the partner, and will be added to the refund amount if applicable. The original payment must have settled before a refund can be processed.
{% endhint %}

For invoice refunds (not POS), follow [Refund Management](/payments-and-invoicing/payments-and-payouts/refund-management.md).

***

### **How POS payouts work**

Approved POS payments pay out through the same [Payouts](https://app.alternativepayments.io/dashboard/all-transactions?pageTab=Payouts) tab as the rest of your Alternative Payments activity. POS volume can land in its own payout batch, separate from online invoice payments and one-time payments.

* In-person card payments are captured and settled together.
* Open **Accounts receivable** > **Transactions** > **Payouts** to confirm the deposit.
* Payout transaction IDs work the same way as your other payouts. See [Payout Transaction IDs](/payments-and-invoicing/payments-and-payouts/payout-transaction-ids.md).

POS payments do not sync to your PSA or accounting software. Reconcile them from Transactions and your payout reports.

***

### **Quick comparison**

| Action | When                                      | Where                                 | Shows in dashboard?            |
| ------ | ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| Cancel | Before the terminal shows approved        | **X** on the terminal                 | No                             |
| Refund | After the payment is approved and settled | **Refund payment** on Payment details | Yes — original sale and refund |
| Payout | After the sale settles                    | Transactions > **Payouts**            | Yes                            |

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---

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