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

# Record a payment

> Log and track the money you receive.

A parent hands you a check after a lesson: log it here so the account's balance stays right.

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Record payment">
    Three ways in, all opening the same **Record payment** form:

    * From a **charge** row, use its **Mark paid** action.
    * From a **sent invoice**, use **Mark as paid**.
    * From an **account**, open it in **Finances → Accounts** and use **Record payment** on the Balance card.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the amount">
    The **Amount** pre-fills with what's outstanding. You can change it: a smaller amount records a partial payment, and a larger amount is allowed too (see below).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill in the details">
    Set the **Date** the payment was made (defaults to today), choose the **Payment method** (**Cash**, **Check**, **Card**, **Bank transfer**, **Digital payment**, or **Other**), and add an optional **Reference number** if it helps you reconcile later, for example a Venmo or Zelle confirmation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Record** to log the payment. The balance and any related charge or invoice update right away.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Overpayment and partial payments

You don't have to match the exact amount due.

* **Overpayment**: enter more than what's outstanding and the form tells you the surplus will be held as credit. Say the account owed $120 and paid $150: the extra \$30 is held on the account and comes off the next bill. See [Credits](/docs/billing/credits).
* **Partial payment**: enter less than what's outstanding and the rest stays owed. The charge or invoice shows as partially paid until the balance is settled.

## Online payments

With Stripe connected, a sent invoice can carry a pay link. When you send an invoice, turn on **Accept online payments** to include it.

The account holder pays by card from that link. The payment records on its own, and the invoice and balance update automatically.

<Note>
  Taking card payments online needs Stripe connected, on the Professional plan. Recording payments by hand works on every plan. See [Connect Stripe](/docs/billing/connect-stripe).
</Note>

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Where do recorded payments appear?">
    Every payment shows on **Finances → Transactions**, and against the charge or invoice it settled.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do online card payments record themselves?">
    Yes. When the account holder pays through the invoice's pay link, the payment records automatically. This requires [Stripe connected](/docs/billing/connect-stripe).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>