---
title: "Configuring Payments"
description: "The Payment accounting rule type is used for all accounts and items relating to business transactions with a cash flow impact. The Payment type is the most frequently occurring rule in the P&L."
source_url: https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/consolidation-financial-planning/planning/accounting-rules/configure-payment
language: en
last_updated: 2023-08-16
---
# Configuring Payments

## Overview

The **Payment** accounting rule type is used for all accounts and items relating to business transactions with a cash flow impact. The **Payment** type is the most frequently occurring rule in the P&L.

## Configuring Payments

To configure an accounting rule of the type **Payment**:

{% stepper %}
{% stepper-step %}
In the dimension bar, select the combination of **data level** and **reporting entity** for which the accounting rule should apply.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
In the tree view, select the desired element (subledger, account, item, or folder).
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Click **Edit** in the top right to open editing mode.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
If you selected a subledger, open the **Transaction figure** tab.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
Select **Payment** as the accounting rule from the **Type** drop-down list.
{% /stepper-step %}
{% stepper-step %}
**Add** or **delete a time period**,to,e.g., configure seasonal differences within a planning period.

{% /stepper-step %}
{% /stepper %}
{% info-box %}
Notes on the **Add/Delete time period** options:

- Newly added time periods are displayed on the **Configuration** tab.
- When deleting a time period, the currently selected tab is always deleted.
{% /info-box %}

## Options on the Configuration Tab

Configuration options for a Payment

The following options are available on the **Configuration** tab:

### Basis

In the **Basis** drop-down list, select the periodicity for the payment calculation.

The available options vary depending on the starting month of the fiscal year.

**If the fiscal year starts in January,** the following options are available:

- Month, Quarter, Trimester, Semester.

**If the fiscal year starts in any month other than January**, the following options are available:

- Month, Quarter, Trimester, Semester, Calendar year, Quarter in the fiscal year, Trimester in the fiscal year, Semester in the fiscal year, Fiscal year.

### VAT/Input Tax Configuration

Optionally, you can select a VAT/input tax configuration from the drop-down list (see [VAT/input tax administration](https://support.lucanet.cloud/en/documentation/consolidation-financial-planning/planning/accounting-rules/vat-input-tax.md)).

### Payment Type

The following payment types are available:

| Payment type | Description |
|---------|---------|
| With immediate cash flow impact | If the payment will be received or made within the same month |
| Time-delayed payment | If the incoming or outgoing payments are made at different times |
| Down payment transaction | If a down payment is required when the transaction is completed |

### Cash Flow Impact

{% info-box %}
The **Cash flow impact** section is only visible if you selected **Time-delayed payment** or **Down payment transaction** from the payment type drop-down list.
{% /info-box %}

In the **Cash flow impact** section, specify a due date for the payment, along with percentage of the outstanding receivable or liability to be paid in each case.

How you configure the cash flow impact depends on the selected **Basis**.

#### Due by date:

Month basis

- Enter 0 for immediate payments.
- Enter a positive number for a subsequent payment, e.g. 2 = 2 months later.
- Enter a negative number for an earlier payment, e.g. -2 = 2 months earlier.

{% idea-box %}
For an example of how average incoming payments can be entered on the **Month** basis, see [Cash Flow Example](#cashflowexample).
{% /idea-box %}

#### Due by date:

Quarter, Trimester, Semester, Calendar Year basis

The column displays the **due by date** with the notation **a+b** or **a-b**.

- For a, enter the month of the date of payment, e.g. 4 for April.
- Specify the time offset for b. The time offset depends on what periodicity you have set. Proceed as follows:
 - For a later payment, enter +, e.g. 4+2 = 4th month (April), 2 quarters, trimesters, semesters or calendar years later.
 - For an earlier payment, enter -, e.g. 4-2 = 4th month (April), 2 quarters, trimesters, semesters or calendar years earlier.

#### Share

Enter what percentage of the outstanding receivable or liability will be paid by the specified date.

### Cash Flow Example

Example

Setting

Customers pay after 15 days on average

Example setting for the cash flow impact

Customers pay after 30 days on average

Example setting for the cash flow impact

Customers pay after 45 days on average

Example setting for the cash flow impact

### Post to

Specify the accounts to which postings will be made in the **Post to** section.

The accounts to be specified depend on the chosen payment type.

#### With immediate cash flow impact

- **Bank account**: An account for the contra entry

#### Time-delayed payment

- **Bank account**: An account for the contra entry
- **Receivables or liabilities account**: An account to which the corresponding value is temporarily posted until the cash flow impact takes effect

#### Down payment transaction

- **Bank account**: An account for the contra entry
- **Receivables or liabilities account**: An account to which the corresponding value is temporarily posted until the cash flow impact takes effect
- **Account for payments received or made**: An account to which the down payment is temporarily posted until the service is provided.