PocketOS uses Stripe to process credit card and ACH payments. Here's how to charge a renter's card directly from a rental.

How to Take a Payment

1. Open the rental detail view
2. Go to the Payments tab
3. Click Take Payment
4. Enter the amount to charge
5. Select the card on file (or add a new one)
6. Click Charge

Adding a Card on File

Before taking payment, the renter must have a card on file. To add one:

1. On the Payments tab, click Add Card
2. Enter the card number, expiration date, and CVC
3. The card is securely stored with Stripe (PocketOS never sees the full card number)

Payment Types

• Credit/Debit Card — Instant processing, immediate confirmation
• ACH Bank Transfer — Takes 3-7 business days to process. Status shows as "Processing" until the bank confirms

What Happens After Payment

• The payment appears in the rental's payment history
• The rental balance is reduced by the payment amount
• A receipt can be sent to the renter
• The payment is recorded in your Reports → Payments

Partial Payments

You can take partial payments. The remaining balance stays on the rental. Take additional payments at any time until the balance is $0.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I charge more than the rental balance?
Yes. Charging more than the balance creates a credit on the rental. This can happen when collecting a deposit in advance of finalizing line items.

What if the payment fails?
The system shows the failure reason (insufficient funds, declined, expired card). Ask the renter for an alternative payment method.

Are payments refundable?
Yes. See the "Issuing a Refund" article for how to process refunds.