This chapter prescribes procedures for nontax Fedwire funds transfers, FedNow, and ACH credit deposits to the account of the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal Service), U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury), made through the Credit Gateway.

This chapter applies to federal entities with deposits for credit to the account of Fiscal Service made through Fedwire, FedNow, or the ACH Network. Federal entities transfer deposits over Fedwire, FedNow, or ACH only when Fiscal Service determines that it is advantageous to the government.

31 U.S.C. 3301 and 3302

For terms and definitions related to this chapter, please view the TFM Glossary.

The Credit Gateway is a deposit program that Fiscal Service uses for receipt of federal entity Fedwire, FedNow, and ACH credit transactions. It is operated by a commercial bank that has been designated as a financial agent of the government. However, the transactions settle at Federal Reserve Banks (FRB) rather than at the commercial bank. In essence, the commercial bank processes information about the transactions and the FRBs are responsible for settling the transactions. As collections are processed by the Credit Gateway, it sends detailed transaction information in near-real time to Fiscal Service reporting systems, namely the Translation Hub (TLH) or the Collections Information Repository (CIR). The CIR, in turn, provides this information to government-wide accounting systems. ACH collections are sent to CIR at the end of the business day.

7530.10—New Account Setup and Maintenance

Before processing any Fedwire, FedNow, or ACH transactions through the Credit Gateway, a federal entity must establish an account within the Credit Gateway. Before setting up a new account, the federal entity must:

Fiscal Service reserves the right not to offer Fedwire, FedNow, or ACH services for a specific federal entity cashflow if Fiscal Service determines that it is not cost effective or in the public interest. New account setup takes several business days to complete. The Credit Gateway program reviews each form for accuracy and submits it to Credit Gateway Customer Care for account setup. It returns incomplete forms to the federal entity for correction and resubmission. After account setup is complete, the Credit Gateway program area notifies the federal entity and provides it with the new cash flow account number and payment instructions. The federal entity may provide this information to its customers. The Credit Gateway program area will periodically review federal entity accounts. Accounts that are inactive for a year or more are subject to closure without notice. For account setup and customer care contact information, see Contacts.

7530.20—Federal Entity Inquiry

The Credit Gateway Customer Care area is available to assist federal entities with transaction inquiries and exception processing. The Credit Gateway Customer Care hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). When calling Credit Gateway Customer Care, federal entities should have their ALC number, the amount of any transaction in question, the date of the transaction, and any other pertinent data that can be used to identify the transaction.

7535.10—Voucher and Support Listing

As Fiscal Service receives funds transfer messages, the messages are accumulated by each ALC or Credit Gateway cashflow account number. At the end of the business day, credit voucher (SF 215) files and debit voucher (SF 5515) files are sent to the CIR. Voucher numbers are system generated and may repeat over subsequent months. Federal entities should not program their systems off voucher numbers. All deposits/vouchers are available to federal entities for inquiry and reporting via the CIR. Deposits/vouchers reflect a daily summary of total dollars received and returned for each ALC or Credit Gateway cashflow account and include full transaction detail records.

7535.20—Same-Day Notification

Federal entities requiring same-day reporting of Fedwire and FedNow transactions may view their data within the CIR. Federal entity access to the CIR allows the federal entity to view in near-real time its incoming Credit Gateway Fedwire and FedNow transactions via online inquiry or computer download. This information is intended to supplement the end-of-day credit/debit voucher information and is not final until the close of the business day. Federal entities access the CIR through the internet. To enroll in the CIR, contact the CIR Customer Support (see Contacts).

7535.30—Errors and Deposit Adjustments

Generally, if a remitter fails to follow payment instructions, the Credit Gateway automatically reverses Fedwire funds transfers, rejects FedNow, or returns ACH transactions. Typically, the Credit Gateway does not manually correct transactions but reverses, rejects, or returns transactions that do not have a valid ALC or Credit Gateway account number. The Credit Gateway may attempt to manually correct and post Fedwire transactions above a certain dollar threshold.

Federal entities should review their Credit Gateway deposits daily for errors and promptly notify the Credit Gateway Customer Care if corrective action is required. ACH debits are not permitted to the Credit Gateway, and federal entities should advise their remitters accordingly. If a debit is received in a federal entity’s account, the Credit Gateway automatically returns it to the originating financial institution.

Federal entities view reporting of all Credit Gateway credit/debit vouchers for their ALCs in the CIR. Erroneous or unidentifiable transactions should be reported promptly to the Credit Gateway Customer Care for return. Federal entities may reclassify transactions with Fiscal Accounting. Reclassification of transactions are performed in the 'Classification, Transaction, and Accountability (CTA)' module in the Central Accounting Reporting System (CARS). Agencies needing assistance should contact the Fiscal Accounting Cash Accounting Branch (see Contacts). 

Section 7545.10—Hours

Normal Fedwire processing hours for the Credit Gateway are Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.

7545.20—Required Information for Funds Transfers

Requests for transmitting funds to Fiscal Service normally are initiated by the federal entity’s customer to its bank’s funds transfer department. Banks that do not maintain an account at an FRB must use the services of correspondent banks that do have an FRB account. All Fedwire and FedNow payments must be sent directly to Fiscal Service via the Credit Gateway. Fedwire and FedNow payments will not be accepted at designated Treasury General Account (TGA) financial institutions. Federal entities should instruct their customers to send Fedwire deposits as early as possible and no later than 5 p.m. ET on the desired receipt date.

Policies and procedures regarding remitters’ requests for funds transfer are determined by the bank sending the transfer, not the Credit Gateway. Therefore, federal entity customers also must work within the processing guidelines established by their bank. Bank guidelines may include processing cutoffs, transaction fees, and other bank requirements. Funds transfer fees charged by the bank of the remitter are to be paid by the remitting customer. Fees should not be deducted from the payment amount due to the federal entity.

The Federal Reserve Bank Fedwire system will be migrating to a new format (ISO 20022) in 2025. Effective 3/10/2025, all financial institutions will be required to use the new format. Prior to 3/10/2025, agencies should instruct their customers to provide Fedwire information specified in Appendix 1.  On 3/10/2025 and forward, agencies should instruct their customers to provide Fedwire information using the new format as specified in Appendix 2. Federal entities may obtain payment instruction templates from the Credit Gateway program and be provided to their customers.

7545.30—Funds Transfers from Foreign Banks

Federal entity customers outside the United States may send Fedwire funds transfers directly to the Credit Gateway provided their foreign bank has a U.S. correspondent bank and funds are being sent in U.S. dollars. Wires denominated in a foreign currency must be processed through Treasury’s International Treasury Services (ITS.gov) program. Federal entities should contact ITS.gov (see Contacts) for assistance with foreign currency denominated transactions. In conjunction with the Credit Gateway, ITS.gov is the front end of the process, which forwards the wire to the Credit Gateway at the back end. See Foreign Currency Payments, TFM Volume I, Part 4A, Chapter 3000.

7545.40—Returns

The need to return a Fedwire received in the Credit Gateway may result due to errors by the sending financial institution or miscommunication between a federal entity and its remitters. Fedwire funds transfers older than six months will not be returned. After six months, the federal entity must make a disbursement through Fiscal Service's Disbursing and Debt Management (DDM) area to get the funds back to the appropriate party (see TFM Volume I, Part 4A, Chapter 2000). Returns fall under two categories, same-day and prior-day. Each type requires its own procedure and is explained as follows. All returns must be for the full amount of the original transaction; partial returns are not permitted.

7545.50—Same-Day Return of Fedwire Transfers

Federal entities should use the following procedures to request the return of a Fedwire received on the current business day. Federal entities may use one of the following two options.

7545.60a—Option A (No Form Required)

The federal entity instructs the remitter to have its financial institution send a Fedwire “Request for Reversal” (Fedwire type code 1001- up to 3/9/2025 or Fedwire ISO camt.056 message beginning 3/10/2025) to the Credit Gateway no later than 4 p.m. ET. Upon receipt, the Credit Gateway automatically returns the Fedwire. If the Fedwire “Request for Reversal” is received after the 4 p.m. ET cutoff, the Credit Gateway processes the request on a best-effort basis or on the next business day. No further action by the federal entity is required.

7545.60b—Option B (Form Required)

The federal entity may complete and email a Fedwire Return Form to Credit Gateway Customer Care no later than 4 p.m. ET. Forms are available on the Credit Gateway website. Incomplete forms are returned to the federal entity for correction and resubmission. Once a complete form is received, the Credit Gateway returns the Fedwire that business day. If Credit Gateway Customer Care receives the email after the 4 p.m. ET cutoff, the Credit Gateway processes the request on a best-effort basis or on the next business day. For assistance with same-day returns, contact Credit Gateway Customer Care.

7545.70—Return of Prior-Day Fedwire Transfers

Federal entities should use the following procedures to request the return of a Fedwire received on a prior business day. Federal entities may choose between one of the two options below.

7545.70a—Option A (No Form Required)

Important: Federal entities must complete both steps 1 and 2. Failure to complete one of these steps nullifies the return request.

7545.70b—Option B (Form Required)

The federal entity may complete and email a Fedwire Return Form to Credit Gateway Customer Care no later than 4 p.m. ET. Upon receipt, the Credit Gateway automatically returns the Fedwire. If the Fedwire Return Form is received after the 4 p.m. ET cutoff, the Credit Gateway processes the request on a best-effort basis or on the next business day. For assistance with prior-day returns, contact Credit Gateway Customer Care.

 7550.10—Hours

FedNow payments are processed 24/7/365 including weekends and holidays. The FedNow business day ends at 7:00 p.m. ET, unless the FRB extends the daily closing due to operational issues. The next business day opens at 7:01 p.m. ET. Credit Gateway customer support operating hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET.

7550.20—Required Information for FedNow Payments

Requests for transmitting funds to Fiscal Service normally are initiated by the federal entity's customer via their bank. Banks that do not maintain a FedNow account at an FRB must use the services of correspondent banks that have a FedNow FRB account. All FedNow payments must be sent directly to Fiscal Service via the Credit Gateway. Federal entities should instruct their customers to send Fedwire deposits as early as possible and no later than 5 p.m. ET on the desired receipt date.

Policies and procedures regarding remitters' requests for funds transfer are determined by the bank sending the transfer, not the Credit Gateway. Therefore, federal entity customers also must work within the processing guidelines established by their bank. Bank guidelines may include processing cutoffs, transaction fees, and other bank requirements. Funds transfer fees charged by the bank of the remitter are to be paid by the remitting customer. Fees should not be deducted from the payment amount due to the federal entity.

Federal entities must provide information on a FedNow Customer Credit Transfer message to Fiscal Service as specified in Appendix 4. Federal entities may obtain payment instruction templates from the Credit Gateway program that can be provided to their customers.

7550.30—Returns

The need to return a FedNow Instant Payment received in the Credit Gateway may result due to errors by the sending financial institution or miscommunication between a federal entity and its remitters.  FedNow transactions older than one month will not be returned. After one month, the federal entity must make a disbursement through DDM to get the funds back to the appropriate party (see TFM Volume I, Part 4A, Chapter 2000). Returns fall under two categories, same-day and prior-day. Each type requires its own procedure and is explained as follows. All returns must be for the full amount of the original transaction; partial returns are not permitted. 

7550.40—Same-Day Return of FedNow Instant Payments 

Originating financial institutions may initiate a Request for Return (FedNow message type camt.056) message to the Credit Gateway. The Credit Gateway will automatically honor same day Request for Returns received before 6:30 p.m. ET and return the transaction to the originator.

7550.50—Prior-Day Return of FedNow Instant Payments 

Federal entities should use the following procedures to request the return of a FedNow Instant Payment received on a prior business day. Prior day returns must be requested within 30 days of the original transaction received. After 30 days, the federal entity must make a disbursement through Fiscal Service's Disbursing and Debt Management (DDM) area to get the funds back to the appropriate party.

7550.50a—Option A (No Form Required) 

• Step 1—The federal entity instructs the remitter to have its financial institution send a FedNow "Request for Return" (camt.056) message. For Request for Return messages received that are greater than five days from the original transaction, Credit Gateway will automatically reject the request back to the originating financial institution. Customer Care will advise the remitter to contact the federal agency. The federal entity may then utilize Option B to initiate the return.
• Step 2—If the Request for Return of a prior day transaction is within the five days from the original transaction, the federal entity also must send an email to Credit Gateway Customer Care before the 4 p.m. ET confirming that the Credit Gateway should honor the FedNow "Request for Return". Upon receipt, the Credit Gateway automatically returns the FedNow transaction. No forms are required from the federal entity. The email confirmation should include the amount of the FedNow transaction and the date the item was originally received. For assistance with prior-day returns, federal entities should contact Credit Gateway Customer Care. 

7550.50b—Option B (Form Required) 

• The federal entity may complete and email a FedNow Return Form to Credit Gateway Customer Care no later than 4:00 p.m. ET. Upon receipt, the Credit Gateway automatically returns the FedNow transaction. If the FedNow Return Form is received after the 4:00 p.m. ET cutoff, the Credit Gateway processes the request on a best-effort basis or on the next business day. For assistance with prior-day returns, contact Credit Gateway Customer Care.

7555.10—Hours

Normal ACH operating hours for the Credit Gateway are Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

7555.20—Required Information for ACH

Information that must be provided on an ACH transaction to Fiscal Service is specified in Appendix 3 for ACH credits. Corporate Credit and Debit (CCD) is the preferred ACH Standard Entry Class Code and record format used by the Credit Gateway. However, for federal entities requiring more remittance information on their ACH transactions, the Credit Gateway also supports the Corporate Credit and Debit Plus (CCD+) and Corporate Trade Exchange (CTX) formats. Federal entities desiring to use the CCD+ or CTX formats should first consult with the Credit Gateway program area.

Requests for transmitting ACH credits to Fiscal Service normally are initiated by the federal entity’s customer to its bank’s funds transfer department. Banks that do not maintain an account at an FRB must use the services of correspondent banks when making a deposit to the Credit Gateway. All ACH transactions must be sent directly to Fiscal Service via the Credit Gateway. ACH transactions will not be accepted at designated Treasury General Account (TGA) financial institutions.

Policies and procedures regarding remitters’ requests for ACH transfers are determined by the bank sending the transfer, not the Credit Gateway. Therefore, federal entity customers also must work within the processing guidelines established by their bank. Bank guidelines may include processing cutoffs, transaction fees, and other bank requirements. ACH fees charged by the bank of the remitter are to be paid by the remitting customer. Fees should not be deducted from the payment amount due to the federal entity.

ACH debits are not permitted to the Credit Gateway. Federal entities should advise their customers accordingly.

7555.30—Returns

The need to return an ACH entry received in the Credit Gateway may result due to errors by the sending financial institution or miscommunication between a federal entity and its remitters. In general, Nacha rules require the return of erroneous ACH transactions by the second banking day following the settlement of the original transaction. Federal entities need to proactively reconcile their collections within the two banking days.

To return an ACH transaction, the federal entity must email a completed ACH Return Form to Credit Gateway Customer Care no later than 4 p.m. ET. Forms are available on the Credit Gateway website. Upon receipt, the Credit Gateway automatically returns the ACH transaction. If the ACH Return Form is received after the 4 p.m. ET cutoff, the Credit Gateway processes the request on a best-effort basis or on the next business day. For assistance with ACH returns, contact Credit Gateway Customer Care.

Direct inquiries concerning this chapter to:

Department of the Treasury 
Bureau of the Fiscal Service 
Settlement Services Division

202-874-5304

Direct inquiries concerning Credit Gateway transaction receipts, returns, reversals, and corrections to:

Credit Gateway Customer Care 
314-425-1841 
customer.care@usbank.com

Direct inquiries concerning new account setup and general inquiries to:

Credit Gateway Branch Manager 
202-874-5304 
creditgateway@fiscal.treasury.gov

Credit Gateway forms are available on the Credit Gateway website.

Direct inquiries concerning the CIR access to:

CIR Customer Support 
216-579-2112 
CIR.customersupport@clev.frb.org

Direct Inquiries concerning ITS.gov:

816-414-2125 
ITS.Outreach@Fiscal.Treasury.gov