Dataset
Restaurant money-recovery deadlines
Updated · Checked against primary sources
The short answer
Most restaurant money is lost to the calendar, not the dispute. DoorDash error charges close after 14 days and Uber Eats and Grubhub after 30. Toast treats processing errors not reported within 30 days as waived. The FICA tip credit can be claimed within 3 years of a return's due date. Work the short windows weekly and the long ones once a year.
Card processing fees
| What | Window | Who files | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toast payment processing error | 30 days from when the error first appears | Restaurant (account owner) | Toast's terms treat errors not reported within 30 days as waived. Review every monthly statement. | Toast Payment Processing Terms |
| Card chargeback (cardholder dispute) | Typically up to 120 days after the charge | Cardholder files; restaurant responds with evidence | Why processors can keep reserves for months after a spike. | Stripe: How disputes work |
FICA tip credit (Section 45B)
| What | Window | Who files | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FICA tip credit on an amended return | 3 years from the return's due date | Business, through a licensed preparer | Refund amount also limited by IRC 6511. BBA partnerships file an AAR instead of an amended return. | IRS Form 8846 (2025) |
| Refund claim limitation (general) | 3 years from filing or 2 years from payment, whichever is later | Taxpayer | Refund capped at tax paid in the lookback period. | 26 U.S. Code 6511 |
| Tentative refund for a credit carryback (Form 1045 or 1139) | Within 12 months after the credit year | Taxpayer | IRS must act within 90 days of filing. The only statutory 90-day refund clock. | 26 U.S. Code 6411 |
| Unused FICA tip credit | Carry back 1 year, forward up to 20 years | Taxpayer | Nonrefundable general business credit. | IRS: FICA Tip Credit for employers |
Delivery-app error charges
| What | Window | Who files | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DoorDash error charge dispute | 14 days from delivery | Restaurant Admin or Store Manager only | Third-party filing prohibited. Reports 72+ hours after delivery are absorbed by DoorDash. | DoorDash Merchant Help |
| DoorDash transaction, fee or order dispute | 14 days of the transaction, fee or order | Restaurant | Merchant Terms of Service section 3 (Payments). | DoorDash Merchant Terms, sections 1-11 |
| Uber Eats order error adjustment dispute | 30 days from the order date | Admin or manager-level Uber Eats Manager users | No automated or third-party disputes. Reports 96+ hours after the order are not charged to the restaurant. | Uber Eats Merchants: Order errors |
| Grubhub prepaid order adjustment dispute | 30 days | Restaurant (portal, email or phone) | Extended from 7 days on July 18, 2022. No cap on number of disputes. | Grubhub restaurant policies |
| Grubhub payment, commission or fee review | 90 days from receipt of payment | Restaurant | Restaurant terms effective December 17, 2024. | Grubhub restaurant terms |
Supplier invoice errors
| What | Window | Who files | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Foods shortage credit | At delivery, before the invoice is signed and the driver leaves | Receiving staff | 24 hours for concealed damage and items not checked in together. Other distributors vary. | US Foods customer policies |
Held deposits and equipment leases
| What | Window | Who files | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mastercard MATCH listing | Stays on the list for 5 years | Only the listing bank can remove it | Excessive-chargeback code needs chargebacks above 1% of monthly transactions and $5,000+ in the same month. | Stripe: The MATCH list |
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Pavado, “Restaurant money-recovery deadlines”, https://www.pavadotech.com/restaurants/deadlines, updated 2026-09-23.