> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.sipgate.de/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.sipgate.de/cloud-telefonanlage/en/account-management/vertrage-rechnungen-und-preise/wo-finde-ich-die-wichtigsten-informationen-zur-abrechnung.md).

# Where can I find the most important information about billing?

Everything about sipgate billing - prepaid principle, payment methods, automatic top-up, and settling outstanding items.

Pay invoices, top up your account, or view the monthly base fee - here you will find all information on billing. An overview of the account balance can be found as an admin in your account in the section **Account** under **Administration**. The term of sipgate is one month, it automatically renews for one month at a time and can be canceled at the end of any month. The base fee is charged at the beginning of a month. In accordance with the calculated base fee amount, a debit is made from your account according to the stored payment method. The amount of the debit is based on the expected recurring costs (e.g. for the sipgate contract or for booked data volumes) plus a buffer amount. This buffer is intended to ensure that a repeated debit does not occur after the first chargeable call (for example, a call that is not covered by the flat rate).

You can also choose a higher amount to be debited in order to minimize the number of debits. To do this, go in your account to account administration and then to the menu item **Account → Administration → Payment**. Here you can see your current **account balance**, the selected **payment method** and the **amount of the automatic top-ups**. For debits, you can optionally use a **credit card** or the **SEPA direct debit procedure** use.

An **A new debit** is triggered whenever your account balance falls below a minimum amount chosen by you. This usually happens at the beginning of the month, when the base fees are due. If you have increased usage within a month, another debit may be triggered. In that case, you will also receive **two invoices** within one month.

If it should ever happen that a debit cannot be carried out, and as a result you have an outstanding balance with us, you can settle it **manually** The quickest way is via the **payment by credit card** (Mastercard, VISA card or American Express). Credit card payments are settled immediately.

Alternatively, you can transfer the dunned amount. Please make sure in a **bank transfer** that in the **reference** your **customer number** it is stored so that we can assign it to the correct account without delay. In the case of a bank transfer, it usually takes one to two working days until the transferred sum reaches our bank account.

Another option is to settle the outstanding item via a **direct debit again** In the **account management** you can under **Account & Invoices** the menu item **Top up** use for a manual payment by direct debit.

{% hint style="info" %}
Note:

If this manually executed direct debit payment also cannot be carried out because the account does not have sufficient funds, you cannot initiate another direct debit. In that case you can settle the outstanding amount by credit card or bank transfer.
{% endhint %}

As soon as the outstanding amount has been received by us, the automatic debit **is reactivated**. If you have changed the payment method in the meantime, reactivation will of course take this change into account.


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