How do I set up Autocharge?

Last updated: October 22, 2026

Overview

Autocharge automatically charges a customer's default payment method (credit card or ACH debit) for future invoices. This helps ensure timely payments without manual intervention.

How Autocharge Works:

You can turn on Autocharge for a customer at any time. When an invoice is charged, Tabs charges the customer's default payment method. If the customer has no default payment method at that point, the charge fails.


There are three ways to get a default payment method on file:

  1. Send the customer a link (recommended). In the customer's Billing settings, under "Let the customer manage their payment methods", click Send link. The customer's primary billing contact gets a secure link to add a card or bank account and set it as their default.

  2. Add it yourself. If the customer has given you permission to charge it for future invoices, click Add payment method in Billing settings and mark it as the default.

  3. From a payment. Customers can save a payment method when they pay an invoice in Tabs.

Payment methods are stored securely with your connected payment processor.

Enable Autocharge

  1. Go to Customers and select the customer.

  2. Click Settings & more (top right).

  3. Select Billing settings.

  4. Turn on Charge customer automatically. The change saves right away.

  5. Check that the customer has a default payment method under Payment methods. If they don't, send them a link or add one (see above).

Can't turn on the toggle? It's unavailable when:

  • No payment processor is connected. Connect one under Integrations.

  • The customer isn't billed in USD. Autocharge is only available for USD customers.

Tip: You can repeat this for any customer you want to enable Autocharge for.

Customer Communication

If you're enabling Autocharge for a customer:

  • Use Send link in Billing settings to email the customer's primary billing contact a secure link where they can add their payment details and set a default. To change who receives it, update the primary billing contact on the customer's Business information page.

  • Once a default payment method is set, future invoices will be charged to it automatically.

Tips & Best Practices

  • Autocharge supports both Credit Card and ACH Debit payment methods.

  • You can enable Autocharge at any time, but the customer needs a default payment method before their next invoice is charged.

  • You can turn Autocharge off anytime from the customer's Billing settings page.

  • If you already use Stripe and connect that same Stripe account to Tabs, your customers' saved payment methods can be carried over. Reach out to your Tabs contact to set this up. Payment methods from other processors can't be transferred.

  • Customers can manage their own payment methods through the link you send, but only your team can turn Autocharge on or off.

  • ACH autocharges typically take 3 to 5 business days to settle; CC charges are usually immediate.

  • A payment processor must be connected to use Autocharge.

  • Autocharge is only available for customers billed in USD.

  • If a charge fails, only credit cards are retried automatically. ACH debits are attempted once.