> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.techfootintl.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Refund

> Managing and processing customer refunds.

## Managing Customer Refunds

A **Refund** occurs when you return money to a customer that they have already paid. This is usually the final step after a Credit Note has been issued for a payment that was already completed.

### Refund vs Credit Note

* **Credit Note:** Reduces what the customer *owes*. It is a bookkeeping entry.
* **Refund:** Returns *actual cash* to the customer. It is a cash outflow transaction.

### Key Considerations

* **Approval Workflow:** Refunds often require a higher level of authorization before they are processed.
* **Gateway Times:** Depending on the payment provider, it may take 5-10 business days for the refund to appear on the customer's statement.
* **Partial Refunds:** You can refund a portion of a payment while keeping the rest for other services.

<Note>
  Ensure your refund records match your bank statements during monthly reconciliation to maintain accurate cash flow records.
</Note>