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Billing overview for Partner Center Cloud Solution Providers program (CSP)

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Appropriate roles: Admin agent | Billing admin | Helpdesk agent | Sales agent

This article provides the legacy and new commerce (NCE) billing and invoice information for Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program partners in Partner Center.

We only bill direct bill partners (tier 1) and indirect providers (tier 2).

How do I determine if I'm a direct bill partner (tier 1) or an indirect provider (tier 2)?

Knowing whether you're a direct bill partner (tier 1) or an indirect provider (tier 2) is helpful to manage your billing. Follow these steps to identify your CSP tier level:

  1. Access Settings: Go to the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the Partner Center portal.

  2. Select Account Settings: From the dropdown menu, choose "Account Settings" to view your account details.

  3. Go to Legal Info: Select "Legal Info" within the Account Settings for viewing your organization's legal and program-related information.

  4. Expand Program Info: In the Account Settings, find and expand the "Program Info" section for more details.

  5. Check the CSP tier: Look for the "Cloud Solution Provider Tier" in the program info section to determine if you're a tier 1 (direct bill partner) or tier 2 (indirect provider).

By following these steps, you clearly understand your billing tier, helping you manage your partnership more effectively.

How do I bill my customers?

Bill your customers however you want. To confirm their charges, look at the invoice reconciliation line items and find them by their CustomerId.

What types of bills or invoices do I receive?

CSP Billing types in Partner Center include:

  • Legacy billing (license-based and usage-based)
  • New commerce billing (license-based or online services, usage-based, software subscription, perpetual software, marketplace, Azure reservations, and Azure savings plans)

What is my invoice's billing currency?

  • Legacy: The currency used for billing your CSP tenant in the specific country/region.
  • New commerce: The currency used for billing your CSP tenant in the specific country/region.

You always get invoices in your billing currency. However, Azure plan services have prices in US dollars (USD) and for these services, foreign exchange (FX) rates apply to the invoice. For a full list of country/region currencies, see new commerce offers country/region availability and partner currency matrix.

We use Thomson Reuters' exchange rate from two business days before the start of each month. For example, we use the mid-rate from November 29 for all purchases from December 1 to 31.

What are the invoices I receive?

Your invoice provides a comprehensive summary of all charges for your products within a billing period. To learn more, refer common billing scenarios.

Legacy

  • Billing period:
    • Monthly cycle starting on your billing anniversary date (for example, the 12th of each month).
  • Invoice availability:
    • Invoices and reconciliation files are ready two days after your billing anniversary date.
    • Example: If your anniversary date is September 12, access your invoice by September 14.
  • Where to find them:
    • Visit the Billing history page in the Billing workspace.

New commerce experience (NCE)

  • Billing period:
    • Aligns with the full calendar month (for example, September 1–30).
  • Invoice availability:
    • Documents are published by the 8th day of the following month.
    • Example: September invoices appear by October 8.
  • Where to find them:
    • Navigate to the Billing overview (NCE) page in the Billing workspace.
    • These files are named "BilledOneTimeInvoiceLineItems" and "BilledOneTimeDailyRatedUsages" after download.

Key differences at a glance

Feature Legacy New commerce (NCE)
Billing period Monthly (anniversary date) Calendar month (1st–30th/31st)
Invoice access Two days after anniversary date By the eighth of the next month
Partner Center location Billing history Billing overview (NCE)

Where are my latest invoices?

To find and download your invoices:

  1. Sign in to Partner Center and select the Billing workspace.

  2. Go to the Billing overview (NCE) task menu.

  3. Navigate to the Billing | Billing Overview (NCE) page.

  4. Choose the desired year and currency (if multiple currencies are available) in the upper right corner.

  5. Select the invoice number.

  6. Find the invoice on the side panel.

  7. Select Download report.

These steps ensure you have the most up-to-date billing information.

Where do I find the price lists?

To see the latest Cloud Solution Provider programs and offers, follow these steps:

  • Sign in to Partner Center and select the Pricing workspace.
  • Find distinct price lists for the different types of available products.

You can find the following price lists on the Price lists page:

  • License-based prices are guaranteed for the subscription's billing term.
  • Usage-based prices can change monthly.
  • Prices for products, services, and software subscriptions are fixed for the subscription's billing term. However, prices might change when you renew.

Note

Price lists are updated monthly. Preview price lists are available one month in advance.

Adjustments and credits in arrears show on your next invoice, after they're applied.

Important

To compare prices, use your billing currency or partner location currency when customers are in different countries or regions.

What are the new commerce pricing and billing currencies for different types of products?

Product type Pricing currency Billing currency
Azure pay-as-you-go USD Partner location currency
Azure reservation USD Partner location currency
Azure savings plan USD Partner location currency
Non-Microsoft marketplace USD Partner location currency
License-based or online services (Office, Dynamics, PowerApps) All accepted currencies Partner location currency
Software subscription All accepted currencies Partner location currency
Perpetual software All accepted currencies Partner location currency

Note

The foreign exchange (FX) rate might affect your subscription costs if your billing currency is different from the product's pricing currency. The FX rate fluctuates based on the charge date. To secure the best price, check the current FX rate before making a purchase.

What is your account balance or due amount?

Understanding your account balance or due amount within the CSP program is essential for effective financial management. To ensure your services run smoothly, you need to pay this amount promptly.

Here are the key points:

  • The account balance shows what you owe Microsoft at any given time.
  • "Account balance" can also be referred to as "due amount," "opening balance," or "outstanding balance."

How do we calculate account balance?

Here are the key details about how we calculate account balance:

  1. Current amount owed: Your balance shows the total amount you owe Microsoft. This amount is calculated by adding up all valid charges from your CSP invoices and subtracting any payments you made.
  2. Unallocated payments: Payments made without clear remittance instructions might end up as "unallocated payment." These payments don't reduce the due amount and are added to the balance. For more information, see Unallocated payments.
  3. Handling of void and rebill invoices: Only the latest rebilled invoice for a period is included in the balance calculation when invoices are voided and rebilled. Original and voided invoices are excluded. This process ensures you're billed correctly.

By understanding how your account balance is calculated and ensuring clear remittance instructions for payments, you can maintain a clear and accurate view of your financial obligations with Microsoft.

What is the CSP payment term?

Making timely CSP invoice payments is important for keeping your services stable. Your services need regular payments to work without issues. These payments cover all the resources and services you use through your CSP partnership.

To avoid falling back on your payments or ending your CSP program enrollment, pay your invoices within 60 days.

What are the accepted payment methods?

For secure and timely payment of your Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program invoices, use one of the following methods:

  • Wire transfer
  • Bank transfer

Note

Credit cards can't be used for CSP payments.

By following these steps, ensure that your payments are processed efficiently and without any issues.

Why are timely payments crucial?

Timely payments are essential to:

  • Ensure uninterrupted service: Timely payments ensure continuous access to services without disruptions.
  • Avoid penalties: Late payments can lead to other fees or service restrictions.
  • Maintain trust: Consistent, on-time payments help maintain a positive relationship between you and us.

Ensure on-time payments in these steps:

  • Review your invoice PDF: Carefully check the payment instructions, including account details and payment references, provided in your Partner Center CSP invoice.
  • Follow the guidelines: Use the exact bank account number, bank location, routing details, and invoice-specific reference codes to ensure correct allocation of your payment.
  • Submit early: To avoid delays, make your payment a few days earlier before the due date. If you lose access due to delinquency, clear the outstanding balance to regain access.

What is the processing time for CSP payments?

Payments are processed within five business days if the remittance instructions are correct.

To avoid service disruptions or reminders, make sure to pay your full balance by the due date. Before making payments, check that your billing and tax profile information is up to date. Outdated details might cause delays in processing.

What are payment best practices?

Follow these steps to ensure accuracy and timely processing of your payments:

  • Single invoice payments: Match the payment amount exactly to the invoice total.
  • Multiple invoices: List all invoice numbers and include remittance instructions for proper allocation.
  • Partial payments: Always reference the invoice number and provide clear remittance details to avoid misapplied funds.

To ensure your payment is correctly allocated, provide these details. Without them, your payment might end up in the unallocated or unapplied payment category. Missing remittance instructions can lead to service interruptions or delays in processing future invoices.

Can I pay part of an invoice or make a partial payment?

Yes, you can pay part of an invoice. To ensure a smooth process, include the invoice number and specify the amount when making a partial payment. Follow best practices to make sure your payments are processed on time.

Can I pay multiple invoices at once?

Yes, you can. To ensure your payments are allocated correctly, be sure to include the invoice numbers in your remittance instructions. Without clear instructions, the payments might end up in the unallocated payment bucket.

Follow these steps to make sure your payments are processed on time:

  • Include invoice numbers in remittance instructions.
  • Ensure clarity in your payment details.
  • Adhere to payment best practices.

How do I verify payment status?

After you make a payment, your payment status might not update to "paid" immediately. It can take up to five business days for the change to reflect in Microsoft's finance system, during this time, the status remains unpaid.

To confirm payment completeness:

  1. Go to the Billing workspace.
  2. Check the invoice's Paid amount and Payment status.

How do I fix accidental payments with a wrong currency or bank account?

If an invoice is paid in the incorrect currency or to the wrong bank account, follow these steps to resolve the issue and avoid delays:

  1. Step 1: Open a support ticket immediately: To prevent the payment from being classified as unallocated, provide these details:
    • Invoice numbers that are affected.
    • The date, amount, currency, and bank account used for the incorrect payment.
  2. Step 2: Provide clear payment instructions: Request to apply the payment to another invoice (if applicable) or correct bank account.
  3. Step 3: Submit the correct payment:
    • Double-check the invoice PDF for the required currency.
    • Use the correct payment method and bank account (wire/bank transfer) with accurate details.

By acting quickly, you can minimize disruptions and keep your account in good standing.

What are unallocated payments?

Sometimes, you might notice unallocated or unapplied payments or funds in your Billing workspace. These amounts represent payments that are received but can't be matched to an invoice due to unclear remittance instructions.

How do I resolve unallocated payments?

To resolve this unmatched payment, ensure that your remittance instructions are clear and include all necessary details:

Step 1: Check for unallocated amounts

  1. Sign in to Partner Center and go to the Billing workspace.
  2. Select Billing history > Unallocated payment to view unmatched amounts.

Step 2: Provide clear details

To ensure payments are properly allocated or applied email bposcapp@microsoft.com with:

  • The invoice numbers the payment should apply to.
  • Payment amount for each invoice.
  • Any supporting information that can speed up the process.

Step 3: Confirm resolution

  • Your Unallocated payment section updates within seven business days once we apply the payment.
  • Verify the adjustment in your Billing history > Unallocated payment afterward.
  • Confirm the paid amounts for the respective invoices.

Taking these steps helps you keep your billing records accurate and up to date.

How do I pay unpaid invoices with an incentive credit memo or credit note?

Sometimes, we issue a credit note or memo as a form of payment for commerce incentives. When we owe you money for incentives, rather than sending a direct payment, we might issue this credit to reduce what you owe on your CSP invoices.

To effectively use a credit memo or note from Microsoft as a payment method for unpaid CSP invoices in Partner Center, follow these steps:

  1. Step 1: Check eligibility: Sign in to Partner Center and go to the Incentives workspace. Look for any notifications or messages regarding available credit memos or credit notes. Ensure the credit is eligible for CSP invoice payments.

  2. Step 2: Apply the credit

    • Automatic application: Microsoft usually applies credit memos or credit notes automatically to the most recent CSP invoices.
      • Go to Billing workspace > "Billing overview (NCE)" page in Partner Center. Compare the credit memo amount with the most recent invoice amount. The due amount should be adjusted after reducing the credit memo amount.
    • Manual allocation (if necessary): If the credit wasn't applied automatically or if you wish to allocate it differently, follow the step-by-step guide. This step might be necessary to apply the credit to a specific invoice or split it across multiple invoices.

  3. Step 3: Verify status: After applying the credit, return to the Billing workspace > "Billing overview (NCE)" page in Partner Center.

    • Check the invoice status to ensure it reflects the credit memo adjustment.
    • Ensure the due amount is correctly updated and reflects any remaining balance if the credit doesn't fully cover the invoice.
    • Pay the remaining balance through other means if your credit memo amount is less than the invoice total. For example, if you have a $1,000 invoice and receive a $300 credit memo, you still need to pay the remaining $700 using standard payment methods.

Tip

  • Keep records: Keep records of all credit memos, their application, and any communication with Microsoft regarding the credits.
  • Regular review: Regularly review your billing statements and credit memos to ensure all credits are properly applied and there are no discrepancies.
  • Support: If you encounter any issues or have questions, reach out to the support team for assistance.

Follow these steps to manage and apply credit memos to your CSP invoices.

What is an overdue payment?

To avoid service interruptions and account suspension, make sure to address overdue payments promptly. Here's a guide to our policy:

Key points

  • Meeting payment deadlines: Pay your invoice within 60 days from the issue date. The due date is clearly marked on each invoice.
  • Responding to reminders: After 60 days, you get reminders to pay immediately. These reminders serve as a warning before any action is taken.
  • Consequences of non-payment: If you don't pay within the grace period, you might lose access to your account and services, which can disrupt your business or operations.

How do I avoid overdue payments?

To avoid consequences of overdue payments, follow these steps:

  • Track invoices: Keep a system to monitor all invoices and their due dates.
  • Set up automated payments: Enable automatic payments, if possible, to ensure invoices are paid on time.
  • Respond to reminders promptly: Treat reminder notifications as urgent and prioritize clearing outstanding balances.
  • Contact support for issues: If you face any issues like disputes, errors, or financial difficulties, get in touch with customer support to discuss options like payment extensions.

How do I stop getting billed or receiving invoices?

To stop receiving invoices or being billed, follow these steps. First, cancel all your subscriptions and terminate all your resources. Before you proceed with cancellation, review the specific cancellation policies for each product. These policies ensure you understand any implications, such as nonrefundable payments if the cancellation occurs before the billing term ends.

Once you cancel all your subscriptions and pay any remaining bills, you should no longer receive invoices from us. Ensure you follow all the guidelines carefully during this process.

Key steps to stop billing:

  • Review cancellation policies for each product.
  • Cancel all your subscriptions.
  • Terminate all your resources.
  • Pay any remaining bills.
  • Follow the guidelines carefully.

Be proactive and thorough to ensure a smooth cancellation process. This approach helps you avoid any further charges or invoices.

What are void and rebill invoices?

When you see multiple invoices in a billing period, particularly when an invoice is voided and rebilled, involves several key steps to ensure accuracy and compliance. Here’s a clear and concise summary:

  • Void invoice: This invoice represents the cancellation of the original invoice. To link it to the original invoice, it has a label of "VoidNote" with a negative value equal to the original invoice amount. For example, if the original invoice is $100, the void invoice shows as –$100.
  • Rebilled invoice: This invoice is a new one issued to replace the original one, with updated details such as the purchase order number, billing address, or amount.

Why are invoices are voided and rebilled?

Invoices are voided and rebilled for one of these reasons:

  • Correcting errors in billing details such as address or purchase order number.
  • Adjusting charges or pricing.

Does a void invoice affect account balance?

No. To keep the account balance current and accurate, only the latest rebilled invoice is considered in the calculation.

Do I need to pay again for the rebilled invoice?

No, payments made towards the original invoice still apply to the rebilled invoice, even if the invoice is voided and rebilled. However, provide clear remittance instructions ensures proper allocation payment to the rebilled invoice.

Key takeaways

  • Void invoices negate the original invoice amount.
  • Use rebilled invoices for payment and accounting purposes.
  • Only the latest invoice affects the account balance.
  • Apply payments to the balance regardless of invoice status.

By following these steps, you can manage payments and ensure an accurate account balance.

What are other types of credit notes?

You might receive a credit or rebill if you ask to:

  • Update your address, purchase order, cost, and any other relevant information.
  • Issue a tax or purchase refund for the original invoice.

You get a new invoice when the original one is voided.

Key elements of license-based billing

License-based subscriptions are typically billed at a fixed price per unit for a specific billing term. However, some products might include a pay-as-you-go component, which is billed at the corresponding pay-as-you-go rate.

Billing plan or frequency

Legacy: Billed monthly or annually.

New commerce: Billed upfront or one-time, monthly, or annually.

Billing period

Legacy: Every month, your billing period starts on the same day you choose during enrollment. This date, known as your billing anniversary, is the recurring date each month when your billing period begins. For example, if you chose the 15th, your billing period starts on the 15th of each month. This date becomes your billing anniversary.

New commerce: Billing period is one full calendar month.

Billing term

Legacy: The term or duration of your subscription is 12 months from the purchase date. The billing days might vary based on the billing anniversary date. For more information, see common legacy billing scenarios.

New commerce: You can buy a subscription for 1, 12, or 36 months and align the end date with another subscription (cotermination) or the calendar month. These alignments might shorten the actual subscription duration. For more information, see align subscription end dates.

Charge cycle

Legacy: The charge cycle starts on the purchase date and can be monthly, yearly, one-time, or other intervals. The charge dates of the first bill might vary, depending on when your next bill is due. Subsequent charge cycles follow the billing plan until the billing term ends.

New commerce: The charge cycle starts on the purchase date and can be monthly, yearly, one-time, or other intervals. The charge dates of the first bill might vary if you align the end date with a calendar month or another subscription. For more information on aligning subscription end dates, see align subscription end dates. Subsequent charge cycles follow the billing plan until the billing term ends.

Subscription cancellation

Before you start canceling your subscription, know the refund policy.

Legacy: To get a full refund, cancel your subscription within a month of purchase or renewal. After that, you receive a prorated refund based on how long you used the service. You only pay for what you use.

New commerce: To qualify for a refund, cancel the service within seven days of purchase or renewal. To get a full refund, you need to cancel within 24 hours. If you cancel later but still within seven days, you receive a prorated refund based on your usage.

After seven days, no refunds are available, and you must pay for the full term, even if you don't use the product. For more information, see the new commerce cancellation policy.

Subscription renewal

Legacy: All license-based subscriptions renew automatically after 12 months. The automatic renewal ensures uninterrupted use of the products and services and simplifies subscription management.

New commerce: Your subscriptions renew automatically according to your billing term. The automatic renewal ensures uninterrupted use of the products and services and simplifies subscription management.

To stop your subscription from automatically renewing, see the new commerce autorenew policy.

Unbilled charges

Legacy: Doesn't support unbilled charges.

New commerce: Expect to see unbilled charges within 24 hours to seven days, depending on your location. If you don't see them after a week, contact Partner Center support for assistance.

Key elements of usage-based billing

You only pay for what you use with a pay-as-you-go rate in an Azure subscription. There are no fixed plans or contracts, making it flexible and cost-effective. For some products like Azure reservations, savings plans, or marketplace (non-Microsoft) SaaS products, different pricing structures apply. For example, Azure reservations offer a discount if you commit to a one-year or three-year term, while marketplace SaaS products might have their own subscription fees. This model allows you to manage expenses efficiently while maximizing the full benefits of Azure's offerings.

Billing frequency

Legacy: Billed monthly.

New commerce: Billed monthly.

Billing period

Legacy: Every month, your billing period starts on the same day you choose during enrollment. This date is your billing anniversary, meaning it's the recurring date each month when your billing period begins. For example, if you chose the 15th, your billing period starts on the 15th of each month. This date becomes your billing anniversary.

New commerce: Billing period is one full calendar month.

Billing term

Legacy: You pay only for resources when you use them.

New commerce: You pay only for resources when you use them. However, Azure reservations and savings plans have a billing term of either one year or three years.

Charge cycle

Legacy: The charge cycle is monthly starting from the billing anniversary date.

New commerce: Charge cycle is one full calendar month.

Subscription cancellation

Legacy: Cancel your Azure subscription anytime.

New commerce: Cancel your Azure subscription anytime.

Subscription renewal

Legacy: You pay for a subscription until you cancel it.

New commerce: You pay for a subscription until you cancel it.

Unbilled charges

Legacy: Doesn't support unbilled charges.

New commerce: Expect to see unbilled charges within 24 hours to seven days, depending on your location and meter reading points. If you don't see them after a week, contact Partner Center support for assistance.

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