Same-Day ACH: cutoff times, eligibility, and when funds arrive

Which payments qualify for Same-Day ACH?

Same-Day ACH is a faster way to process eligible U.S. bank payments through the ACH network. It can be used for credits, where the sender pushes money, and debits, where a company pulls money with your authorization. The bank or service sending the payment must offer same-day processing and submit it in an eligible window.

As of November 4, 2026, the network limit is $1 million per payment. International ACH transactions are excluded. Your bank or payment service may offer lower limits, charge a fee, or restrict which accounts and payment types qualify. Check the limit for the specific transfer you’re making.

What are the Same-Day ACH cutoff times?

The Federal Reserve’s FedACH schedule has three same-day transmission deadlines. These are the times by which the bank’s file must reach FedACH. Your own deadline is the one your bank, payroll service or payment provider gives you for that transfer. It can be earlier so the sender has time to review and transmit the payment.

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Settlement is when the payment moves between the banks. For an incoming credit, check the receiving bank’s available balance to see when the money can be spent. If a bill is due today, also confirm when the biller will credit your account.

Cutoff examples before and after the deadline

Suppose a bank offers outgoing Same-Day ACH until 2:00 p.m. Central time, or 3:00 p.m. Eastern. The times below are fictional customer cutoffs. Use the deadline and time zone shown for your actual transfer.

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A checklist to use before you tap Send

Open the transfer review screen in the app or website that starts the payment. If a detail is missing, ask that bank or service before you submit.

1. Find the delivery option. Look for Same-Day ACH or ask which payment method an option labeled Today uses.
2. Check the cutoff and time zone for this account and transfer type. Allow time for any approval or review step.
3. Check the amount, available balance, daily limit and total fee. For a debit, keep enough money available until the payment posts.
4. Read the expected arrival date. If you’re paying a bill, confirm when the biller will apply it to your balance.
5. Save the confirmation number, amount, time and estimated arrival. If the transfer is late, check its status and ask the sender for an ACH trace number before sending again.

What if the ACH payment is for a Bitcoin purchase?

Start with the provider’s offer. Ask when it will initiate the debit, how long its review can take, and when it expects to send Bitcoin to your wallet. If a purchase already shows as pending, use the order reference to check for a hold or a scheduled debit before placing another order.

See the ACH buying guide for the steps from bank authorization through wallet delivery. Keep the provider’s delivery estimate with your order confirmation so you know when to follow up.