Understanding Cash Discounts

This article explains how Cash Discounts behaves in Trash Flow.

Cash Discounts is a Trash Flow service that applies a discount to customers who pay using eligible non card payment methods, such as cash, check, or ACH. Customers who pay by credit or debit card are charged the standard rate.

How Cash Discounts Work

In Trash Flow, Cash Discounts work by distinguishing between two rates:

  • Standard rate

    The full billed rate charged to customers who pay by credit or debit card.

  • Discounted rate

    A reduced amount applied automatically when a customer pays using an eligible payment method.

The discount is applied at the time of payment based on the selected payment method. The original charge amount isn’t changed.

Trash Flow evaluates eligibility automatically, meaning no manual selection is required during payment processing.

How Cash Discounts Are Applied

Rate Changes

When Cash Discounts are enabled, Trash Flow uses the Cash Discount Rate Change to calculate the standard rate.

  • The system calculates the adjusted rate automatically.

  • Users don't need to perform manual math or adjust individual charges.

  • The configured rate applies consistently across eligible charges.

Discount Application

The discount is applied when payment is posted and is based on the payment methods used:

  • Cash

  • Check

  • ACH payments

Credit and debit card payments don't receive the discount.

How Cash Discounts Appear in Trash Flow

Customer Account History

When a discounted payment is processed:

  • The standard rate is shown as the original charge.

  • The Cash Discount appears as a separate line.

  • The final balance reflects the discounted total for eligible payments.

This structure preserves the original charge amount while clearly showing the applied discount.

Invoices and Receipts

Invoices and receipts reflect the discount as follows:

  • The standard rate is shown as the original charge.

  • The Cash Discount appears as a separate line.

  • The final balance reflects the discounted total for eligible payments.

Customers paying by card see only the standard rate.

Note: Cash Discounts appear in Trash Flow reporting as separate transaction line items.

  • Posting reports include Cash Discount line items when Detailed Charges is selected.

  • Discounted amounts are reflected in transaction totals but don’t alter the original charge values.

  • Reports clearly differentiate between charges and discounts.

Common System Behaviors

Keep in mind the following behaviors when Cash Discounts are enabled:

  • Discounts apply only to eligible payment methods.

  • Discounts don’t change historical charges.

  • Changing discount settings doesn’t change any past transactions.

  • Discounts are recorded as separate transaction lines for visibility and reporting accuracy.

See Also

Using Cash Discounts

Set Up Cash Discount Rates