# Cancel or reverse payouts (/payouts/use-payouts/cancel-reverse-payouts)

Cancel unclaimed payout items using the dashboard or API, and understand how payout reversals work.



You can use the procedure and information in this section to cancel unclaimed payouts and understand payout reversals.

## Cancel payout item [#cancel-payout-item]

You can cancel a payout item only if its status is `UNCLAIMED`. Use the PayPal business account dashboard or the Payouts API to cancel unclaimed payout items.

To implement payment cancellation functionality, use the following **Dashboard** or **API** tabs.

> **Note:** Unclaimed payouts expire in 30 days, and PayPal returns the money to your PayPal account.

#### Dashboard

1. Log into your PayPal business account.
2. Select **Activity** > **Transactions** > **All Transactions**.
3. On the **Transactions** page:
   1. Select **Email address** from the drop-down list.
   2. Enter the recipient's email address in the search box.
   3. Select **Filter**.
   4. Select the date range.
   5. Select **Apply Filters**. The search results display the transaction list that matches your criteria.
4. Select the title of the unclaimed payment you want to cancel.
5. On the details page, select **Cancel** and follow the on-screen instructions.

#### API

Use a valid access token and make a POST call to the `/v1/payments/payouts-item/{PAYOUT-ITEM-ID}/cancel` endpoint. <br />
**Path parameter**: `PAYOUT-ITEM-ID` is the `payout_item_id` returned in the Show payout batch details response.

```bash Sample request lines theme={null}
curl -v -X POST https://api-m.sandbox.paypal.com/v1/payments/payouts-item/5KUDKLF8SDC7S/cancel \
    -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
    -H 'Authorization: Bearer ACCESS-TOKEN' \
    -d '{}'
```

```json Sample response lines expandable theme={null}
{
  "payout_item_id": "5KUDKLF8SDC7S",
  "transaction_id": "1DG93452WK758815H",
  "activity_id": "0E158638XS0329101",
  "transaction_status": "RETURNED",
  "payout_item_fee": {
    "currency": "USD",
    "value": "0.35"
  },
  "payout_batch_id": "CQMWKDQF5GFLL",
  "sender_batch_id": "Payouts_2018_100006",
  "payout_item": {
    "recipient_type": "EMAIL",
    "amount": {
      "value": "9.87",
      "currency": "USD"
    },
    "note": "Thanks for your patronage!",
    "receiver": "receiver@example.com",
    "sender_item_id": "14Feb_234"
  },
  "time_processed": "2018-01-27T10:17:41Z",
  "errors": {
    "name": "RECEIVER_UNREGISTERED",
    "message": "Receiver is unregistered",
    "information_link": "https://developer.paypal.com/docs/api/payments.payouts-batch#errors"
  },
  "links": [
    {
      "rel": "self",
      "href": "https://api-m.sandbox.paypal.com/v1/payments/payouts-item/5KUDKLF8SDC7S",
      "method": "GET"
    },
    {
      "rel": "batch",
      "href": "https://api-m.sandbox.paypal.com/v1/payments/payouts/CQMWKDQF5GFLL",
      "method": "GET"
    }
  ]
}
```

A successful call returns a `200 OK` response with a JSON response body that shows payout item details.

## Understand payout reversals [#understand-payout-reversals]

PayPal cannot reverse payments that a payer sends to an incorrect email address or phone number. However, if the status of the payout item is `UNCLAIMED`, a payer can [cancel the payout item](#cancel-payout-item) and create a new payout with the correct recipient details.