> ## 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.

# Set up recurring charges

> Bill a standing fee, like monthly tuition or a rental, automatically.

A recurring charge is a standing fee: monthly tuition, an instrument rental, an annual registration fee. Define it once, attach it to the accounts that pay it, and Harness creates the charge on schedule. Each charge then rides the account's next invoice like any other; see [Automated billing](/billing/automated-billing).

## Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Define the charge">
    Go to **Settings → Recurring charges** and click **Add recurring charge**. Give it a **Name** (say, *Monthly tuition*), an **Amount**, and a **Category**.

    Set the **Recurrence**: **Monthly**, **Annually**, or **Custom** (repeats every N weeks, months, or years; a term fee is *every 3 months*). Set when it **Ends**: **Never**, **On** a date, or **After** a number of times.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Attach it to an account">
    Open the account in **Finances → Accounts** and click **Attach recurring charge** on its **Billing** card.

    Under **Applies to**, pick **Whole account** or one of its students. The student choice only labels the charge on the bill; the account pays either way.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick the start date">
    **Starts** defaults to the account's next billing period. Charges are created from this date forward and repeat from it: a monthly charge starting January 16 bills on the 16th. Past dates never generate catch-up charges.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the first charge (only if asked)">
    When the start lands partway through a billing period, choose **Charge the full amount** or **Set a custom amount for the first charge**. Every later charge is the full amount.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Editing a recurring charge only changes future charges. Charges already
  created, and anything on a sent invoice, keep their amount.
</Warning>

## Change or stop one

* **Change the definition** (name, amount, recurrence) in **Settings → Recurring charges**. The change ripples to every attached account, future charges only.
* **Stop it for one account**: open the account and detach it from the **Billing** card. Charges already created stay.
* **Change how it's attached** (start date, which student): detach, then attach again with the new settings.
* **Skip a single period**: void that period's charge in **Finances → Transactions**. It won't come back.
* **Delete the definition** in **Settings → Recurring charges**. This detaches it from every account; existing charges stay.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can a student have tuition and per-lesson charges at once?">
    Yes, and Harness won't stop you: some studios bill a base fee plus extras.
    If tuition is meant to cover the lessons, turn the **Payment** toggle off
    (or leave no rate) on those lessons so they don't also charge. See
    [Create an event](/calendar/create-an-event).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="When does the money actually get billed?">
    The charge is created on its scheduled date, then collects into the
    account's next invoice at the cycle close. The **Upcoming** tab shows both
    stages; see [Upcoming bills](/billing/upcoming-bills).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does 'After N times' count a custom first charge?">
    Yes. The first charge counts as occurrence one, even at a custom amount.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>