iNymbus Blog

Target Deduction Prefixes Explained: 2026 Update

Written by iNymbus | 2/3/26 2:35 PM

Target deduction codes and their meanings are already a strong topic to explore.

They help suppliers understand why deductions appear on payments.

Recently, Target shared updated information on deduction codes through the Target Partners Portal.

To make this easier to read and understand, we’ve simplified Target’s official descriptions. Below, you can access a simplified version of the Target deduction codes and their meanings.

What Is a Target Deduction?

A Target deduction is an amount taken from a supplier’s payment.

It is usually applied as a chargeback.

Target applies deductions when certain rules are not met.

These rules are already defined in Target’s supplier and compliance documents.

Each deduction is linked to a specific reason code.

The code explains why the amount was deducted and how the issue is categorized.

Understanding these codes helps suppliers identify the reason behind a deduction and respond correctly.

Understanding Target Deduction Prefixes (Key to 2026 Codes)

Target deductions are identified using prefixes. These prefixes appear on payment remittance details and help indicate the type of deduction, the source of the charge, and the team responsible for handling it.

Each prefix follows a specific review and dispute process. Understanding the prefix is the first step in researching any Target deduction correctly.

Prefix Deduction Category What It Represents Supplier Notes
90 Payment Adjustment Financial or accounting adjustment Used for payment-level adjustments
917 Adjustment Internal adjustment reference Appears as a standalone prefix
92SG Adjustment Specialized adjustment category Handled separately from invoice chargebacks
CB Chargeback Invoice-related deductions Reason codes within CB explain the deduction
CPN Vendor Income Coupon or promotional deductions Linked to vendor-funded programs
ITEMCOMP Item Compensation Item-level compensation adjustments Applied at product level
RTVS Return to Vendor Merchandise returns Shipment-based reference
TRT Freight Freight audit and transportation charges Related to routing and carrier rules
TXFR Transfer Transfer-related deductions Internal movement or transfer adjustments
VC Vendor Compliance Compliance-related deductions Tied to operational requirements
VIAP Vendor Income Advertising or promotional programs Based on vendor agreements
VONL Vendor Income Online or digital programs Contract-driven deductions
VSUP Vendor Income Supplier-funded programs Not error-based deductions

Prefix – 90:

90SF

Contact: PRGX Audit (prgx.target@prgx.com)

Category Type

  1. TR02 – Unauthorized Ground Carrier
    Description: Freight chargeback for failing to use the Target-assigned carrier.
  2. TR03 – Ready to Ship Weight Accuracy
    Description: Freight chargeback for failing to provide accurate weight for shipments over 1,000 lbs in VRS.
  3. TR08 – Backorder / Multiple Shipments
    Description: Freight chargeback for failing to obtain approval for multiple shipments for the same PO or location.
  4. TR11 – Authorized Air
    Description: Freight chargeback for using air or expedited freight without prior merchant approval.
  5. TR12 – Prepaid Freight Terms
    Description: Freight chargeback for failing to prepay freight as required by Target.
  6. TR14 – Freight on Returns
    Description: Freight chargeback for the vendor charging freight on returned merchandise.
  7. TR15 – Domestic Sort and Segregation
    Description: Freight chargeback for failure to ship POs consolidated on pallets or full truckloads as specified in the Target routing guide.

Backup Documentation:

Email prgx.target@prgx.com

90SG

Contact: PRGX Audit (prgx.target@prgx.com)
Category Type: Non-Vendor Income

Description:
Prefix used for merchandise chargebacks issued by PRGX.

Action:

  • Review PRGX-issued chargeback details.
  • Email PRGX to request backup documentation if needed.
  • Submit a dispute only when supporting proof is available.

Backup Documentation:

Email prgx.target@prgx.com

90V

Contact: Audit-Target (Target.VIResearch@Target.com)
Category Type: Non-Vendor Income

Description:
Document prefix used for NVI (Non-Vendor Income) chargebacks issued by Target Proactive Audit.

Action:

  • Request backup by submitting a REQUEST FOR COPY/INFO case in Synergy.
  • Review documentation before raising a dispute.

Backup Documentation:
To request backup, submit a REQUEST FOR COPY/INFO case in Synergy for NVI (Non-Vendor Income) chargebacks issued by Target Proactive Audit.

Prefix – 917:

Contact: Collections (Target.Collections@target.com)
Category Type: Account Transfer

Description:
Transfer of balances or import claim from an import vendor account to an associated domestic vendor account, as requested by the vendor.

Action:

  • Contact Target Collections via email to request a balance transfer.
  • Ensure vendor request and account linkage details are clearly documented.
  • Track confirmation once the transfer is completed.

Backup Documentation:

Email Target.Collections@target.com

Prefix – 92SG:

92SG

Contact: PRGX Audit (prgx.target@prgx.com)
Category Type: Non-Vendor Income

Description:
Prefix used for settlement chargebacks issued by PRGX.

Action:

  • Review PRGX-issued settlement chargeback details.
  • Request backup documentation via email if required.
  • Submit disputes only with valid supporting evidence.

Backup Documentation:

Email prgx.target@prgx.com

Prefix – CB:

CB / CB-

Contact: Merchandise Payables
Support: POL Request Support – Accounts Payable / Payment / Chargebacks

Category Type

  1. A030 – Carton Shortage
    Description: Manual deduction issued against an invoice for the difference between the invoice and the receipt, where the majority of the difference is due to carton shortages.
  2. A032 – Damage / Defective
    Description: Manual deduction issued against an invoice for the difference between the invoice and receipt, where the majority of the difference is due to damaged or defective products.
  3. A034 – Unit / Internal Shortage / Casepack
    Description: Manual deduction issued against an invoice for the difference between the invoice and the receipt, where the majority of the difference is due to unit shortages or case pack issues.
  4. A036 – Cost Difference
    Description: Manual deduction issued against an invoice for the difference between the invoice and the receipt, where the majority of the difference is due to cost differences.
  5. A038 – Substitution
    Description: Manual deduction issued against an invoice for the difference between the invoice and the receipt, where the majority of the difference is due to item substitutions.
  6. A176 – Auto Chargeback
    Description: System-generated deduction issued against an invoice for differences between the invoice and the receipt.
    Reasons may include shortages, cost differences, substitutions, case pack issues, or a combination of these.

Backup Documentation:

Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report

CB#### (Food Distribution Center #)

Contact: Merchandise Payables
Support: POL Request Support – Accounts Payable / Payment / Chargebacks

Category Type: Defective

Description:
A deduction was issued for a damaged product based on the Charge To Vendor Return Policy in VMM.

There is no PO/Invoice number associated with this type of deduction.
For additional information, refer to Return Policy Information.

Backup Documentation:
Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report

CB#### (Fulfillment Center #)

Contact: Merchandise Payables

Support: POL Request Support – Accounts Payable / Payment / Chargebacks

Category Type:

  1. Defective
    Description: A deduction was issued for a damaged product based on the Charge To Vendor Return Policy in VMM. There is no PO/Invoice number associated with this type of deduction. For additional information, see Return Policy Information.
  2. 0 DIGITAL RETURN – Digital Return Defective
    Description: A monthly roll-up deduction of all Guests’ Target.com or Target app returns at the vendor, location, or department level based on the Charge To Vendor Return Policy in VMM. There is no PO/Invoice number associated with this type of deduction. For additional information, see Return Policy Information.

Backup Documentation (for both categories):

Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report

CB#### (Store #)

Contact: Merchandise Payables

Support: POL Request Support – Accounts Payable / Payment / Chargebacks

Category type:

  1. 0 DIGITAL RETURN – Digital Return Defective
    Description: A monthly roll-up deduction of all Guests’ Target.com or Target app returns at the vendor/location/department level based on the Charge To Vendor Return Policy in VMM.
    There is no PO/Invoice number associated with this type of deduction.
    For additional information, see Return Policy Information.
  2. 66 VENDOR CREDIT – Vendor Credit
    Description: A deduction was generated for a DSD vendor credit.

Backup Documentation:

Use the Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report to pull backup.

CB##### (PO #)-##### (Food Distribution Center #)

Contact: Merchandise Payables
Support: POL Request Support – Accounts Payable / Payment / Chargebacks

Category type:
Food Distribution Center (FDC) Rejection Fee

Description: A deduction issued for the cost of removing rejected goods from Target’s supply chain in accordance with the Conditions of Contract available on Partners Online.

Backup / Contact:
Email FDCRrejections@target.com

CB501

Contact: Merchandise Payables
Support: POL Request Support – Accounts Payable / Payment / Chargebacks

Category type:
A004 – Defective

Description: A weekly roll-up deduction of all Target stores for goods destroyed per the Charge To Vendor Return Policy in VMM.

There is no PO/Invoice number associated with this type of deduction.
For additional information, see Return Policy Information.

Backup Documentation:
Use the Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report to pull backup.

CBCK

Contact: Vendor Payment
Category type:
A099 – AP Charges / Fee

Description: A fee associated with processing a manual check.

Backup Documentation:
No copy available, details are included in the deduction document number.

CBDC

Contact: Merchandise Payables

Support: POL Request Support – Accounts Payable / Payment / Chargebacks

Category type:

  1. A035 – RTV: Not Ordered
    Description: For items not ordered or items shipped in error that are returned by Target.
  2. A135 – Return to Vendor
    Description: For overstock or damaged/defective merchandise returned by a Target Distribution Center (DC).
    A PO/Invoice number may not be associated with this type of deduction.

Backup Documentation:
Backup documentation can be found via the Domestic Vendor.

CBEDI

Contact: Merchandise Payables

Support: POL Request Support – Accounts Payable / Payment / Chargebacks

Category type:

A169 – Violation Fee

Description: An EDI non-compliance fee was issued for manually processing a paper invoice copy for a vendor set up for EDI transmissions.

Backup Documentation:
No copy available, details are included in the deduction document number.

Prefix – CPN:

Contact: Accounts Receivable
Email: MERCoupon@target.com

Backup Documentation:
Backup documentation is automatically emailed at the time of the charge / late payment credits.

Email MFRCoupon@target.com to get added to the automated contact roster.

CPN###### (Transaction #)

Category type:
Manufacturer Coupon Denial

Description: Deduction issued to collect for manufacturer coupon denials.

CPN-PAPERRTN (Return Time Period)

Category type:
Vendor In-Store Return

Description: Returned coupons for paper coupons.

CPN-DIGITALRTN (Return Time Period)

Category type:
Vendor Digital Return

Description: Returned coupons for digital coupons.

CPN-HARDHANDLEFEE (Impacted Quarter)

Category type:
Non-Participation Fee

Description: Fee issued to vendors not participating in the Positive Offer File.

Prefix – ITEMCOMP:

Contact: Item Data - Digital (Item.Certification@target.com)
Category Type: Item Data Error/ Digital Content Missing

Description: A manual deduction was issued against an invoice for failed item data certification.

Backup Documentation:
Item.Certification@target.com

Prefix – RTVS:

RTVS2

Contact: Merchandise Payables

Support: POL Request Support – Accounts Payable / Payment / Chargebacks

Category Type: Return to vendor

Description: Deduction issued for product returned to vendor via a Target Return Center based on a Target HQ inventory removal (HQ-IR) request.

There is no PO/Invoice number associated with this type of deduction.

Notes:

  • The deduction document number is the Shipment ID listed on the packing slip, with the leading 8 replaced by a 2, plus the RTVS prefix, and the Shipment Number listed on the BOL with the leading 8 replaced by a 2.
  • The unit of measure for an HQ-IR is “cartons” rather than “eaches”, which may result in multiple lines on the deduction copy displaying the same DPCI.

Backup Documentation:
Use the Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report to pull backup.

RTVS8

Contact: Merchandise Payables
Support: POL Request Support – Accounts Payable / Payment / Chargebacks

Category type:
Return To Vendor

Description: Deduction issued for product returned to vendor via a Target Return Center based on the Charge To Vendor Return Policy in VMM.
There is no PO/Invoice number associated with this type of deduction.

Backup Documentation:
Use the Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report to pull backup.

Prefix – TRT:

TRT (Freight Audit)

Email: Freight.Audit@target.com

Category type:

  1. (TRT) TR02 – Unauthorized Carrier
    Description: Freight chargeback for failing to use the Target-assigned carrier.
  2. (TRT) TR08 – Multiple Shipments
    Description: Freight chargeback for failing to ship the load as assigned, resulting in a manual shipment required to pick up the remaining or left-behind product.
  3. (TRT) TR09 – Assessorial Charges
    Description: Failure to pay origin assessorial charges (for example, driver time and equipment detention).
  4. (TRT) TR10 – Truck Ordered Not Used (TONU)
    Description: Freight chargeback is assessed when freight is not ready on time, and the load is canceled with less than four hours’ notice.
    This chargeback reflects the pass-through cost Target pays the carrier for lost time and equipment due to late cancellation.
  5. (TRT) TR11 – Expedited Freight
    Description: Freight chargeback for the vendor to pay the negotiated expedited freight charges.
    The vendor must obtain a deviation from the merchants.
  6. (TRT) TR14 – Freight on Returns
    Description: Vendor pays freight charges on return merchandise.

TRT (Freight Payment)

Email: TargetIndia-Finance-FreightPayment@target.com

Category type:

(TRT) TR15 – Domestic Sort and Segregation
Description: Failure to ship POs into consolidation on pallets or floor load as specified in the Routing Guide.

Backup / Documentation Request:

To request additional backup, submit a REQUEST FOR COPY/INFO case in Synergy and select Vendor Freight Audit as the request type to receive supporting documents from the vendor freight audit team.

Prefix – TXFR:

TXFR###### (Vendor Account #)

Contact: Collections
Email: Target.Collections@target.com

Category type:Account Transfer

Description: A transfer of balances between two associated vendor accounts, per a vendor request.

Backup Documentation:

Email Target.Collections@target.comto request supporting documentation for the account transfer.

Prefix – VC:

VC## (Month)

Contact / Team: Supplier Performance Management
Support: POL Request Support Form

Category type:

  1. On Time Ship – Collect / VRS
    Description: A deduction is issued against a PO/loc that is made available for pickup outside the ship window.
  2. On Time Release – Collect / SIQ
    Description: A deduction is issued against a PO/loc that is released outside the timeframe.
  3. Supplier Pickup Adherence – Collect / SIQ
    Description: A deduction issued against a PO/loc that has a pickup change.
  4. On Time Ship – Prepaid
    Description: A deduction is issued against a PO/loc that is delivered to a Target DC outside the ship window.
  5. Fill Rate – Original
    Description: A deduction is issued against a PO/loc where the receipts do not match the original ordered quantity.
  6. Fill Rate – Revised
    Description: A deduction is issued against a PO/loc where the receipts do not match the revised ordered quantity.
  7. EDI 856 Availability
    Description: A deduction is issued against a PO/loc where a timely and error-free ASN is not received by Target before the trailer arrives in the yard.

Backup Documentation:Backup documentation can be found on the Supplier Performance Management Dashboard (SPMD).Find the Request Support Form by Application or Report Name on POL.

VCNA

Contact / Team: Vendor Income
Support: POL Request Support Form (Search “TVI”)

Category type:Vendor Income Funding

Description: Contract created in TVI and accepted by the vendor and Target.

Backup Documentation:Instructions to pull backup reporting.

VCPN

Contact / Team: Coupon Admin / Finance
Support:
POL Request Support Form (Search “TVI”)

Category type:V192 – Promotional

Description: Target Circle Offers redeemed in a Target store.Contract Name contains the Coupon #, i.e., CPNXXXXXX.

Backup Documentation:

  • Backup is emailed in Week 3 of each month by the Loyalty Marketing Team.
  • View the OMT Analytics tab in the OMT application.
  • Requests for backup of Target Coupon Deductions:Email: CouponAdmin@target.com 
  • Instructions to pull backup reporting.

Prefix – VIAP:

Contact / Team: Vendor Income
Support:
POL Request Support Form (Search “TVI”)

Category type:Vendor Income Funding

Description: Contract created in TVI and accepted by the vendor and Target.

Note:This deduction prefix applies only to Sales-Based Contracts created with the following calculations:

  1. $ Amount per Unit × Total Units Sold
  2. Allowance % × Sales $

Backup Documentation:Instructions to pull backup reporting.

Prefix – VONL:

Contact / Team: Vendor Income
Support:
POL Request Support Form (Search “TVI”)

Category type:Vendor Income Funding

Description: Target coupon deductions are entered by Target using an online manual process.

Backup Documentation: Requests for back-up of Target Coupon Deductions Email: CouponAdmin@target.com 
Instructions to pull backup reporting.

Prefix – VSUP:

Contact / Team: Vendor Income
Support: POL Request Support Form (Search “TVI”)

Category type:Vendor Income Funding

Description: Target Circle Offers are redeemed online.Contract Name (in TVI) contains the Coupon #, i.e., CPNXXXXXX.

Backup Documentation:Instructions to pull backup reporting.

How Automation Helps Manage Target Deduction Codes With iNymbus

Managing Target deduction codes manually can quickly become complex. Each prefix follows a different process. Each category requires a different backup. And every mistake increases the risk of missed recoveries.

This is where iNymbus automation helps.

iNymbus automates the end-to-end deduction management process for Target suppliers. It identifies deductions directly from remittance data. It classifies them by prefix, category, and dispute path. And it routes each deduction through the correct Target workflow.

Instead of manually reviewing CB variations, freight audits, PRGX findings, or vendor income deductions, suppliers get a structured and consistent process.

With iNymbus, teams can:

  • Automatically identify Target deduction prefixes and subcategories
  • Attach the right backup documents based on the deduction type
  • Submit disputes through the correct channel, including Synergy and audit workflows
  • Track deduction status and recovery in one place
  • Reduce manual effort and avoid missed or misrouted disputes

Automation helps suppliers move from reactive deduction handling to controlled and predictable recovery.

Conclusion

Target deduction codes and prefixes are not difficult on their own. The challenge comes from volume, variations, and process differences.

Understanding how Target structures deductions, by prefix, category, and workflow, is the first step. Simplifying that information makes it easier to take action. Automating the process makes it scalable.

With the right understanding and the right tools, suppliers can manage Target deductions more efficiently and focus on what matters most: recovering revenue and maintaining compliance.