Target Deduction Codes at a High Level

Clinton Rhodes

By Clinton Rhodes, Product Manager

Last Updated June 5, 2025

5 min read

Types of Target Deductions   

All of Target Deductions fall into one of the follow ing categories bulleted below. In this section, we will cover some of the common Target fines with a general  description and supporting documentation.   

•  Shortages/shipping-related issues  

•  Pricing discrepancies  

•  Allowances  

•  Returns  

•  Miscellaneous  

Of these common 15 deductions codes, all of them  can be disputed by creating a Dispute Case in Synergy. The Recommended Supporting Documen tation for Disputing section under each code serves  more as a guideline for suppliers looking to create a  dispute claim.

Shortages/Shipping-Related Issues

What is Deduction Code A030?   

A manual deduction issued against an invoice for the  difference between the invoice and receipt, of which  the majority of difference is due to carton shortage(s).  

Recommended Supporting Documentation for Disputing: 

•  Use Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report 

•  Chargeback Copy  

•  Invoice Copy/copies  

•  Packing slip  

•  Signed POS/POD *See below for considerations on pre paid and collect shipments  

•  Documentation Supporting correct casepack 

What is Deduction Code A032?   

A manual deduction issued against an invoice for the  difference between the invoice and receipt, of which  the majority of difference is due to damaged or defec tive product(s).  

Recommended Supporting Documentation for Disputing: 

•  Use Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report 

•  Chargeback Copy  

•  Any supporting documents to prove the charge(s) should  be reversed, including but not limited to BOL, Freight  Bills, Proof of Return.

What is Deduction Code A034?   

A manual deduction issued against an invoice for the  difference between the invoice and receipt, of which  the majority of difference is due to unit shortage(s) or  case pack issue(s).  

Recommended Supporting Documentation for Disputing: 

•  Use Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report  

•  Make sure to include an explanation in the note section of  your Synergy case  

•  Chargeback Copy  

•  Invoice Copy/copies  

•  Packing slip  

•  Signed POS/POD *See below for considerations on pre paid and collect shipments  

•  Documentation Supporting correct casepack

What is Deduction Code A036?   

A manual deduction issued against an invoice for the  difference between the invoice and receipt, of which  the majority of difference is due to cost difference(s).  

Recommended Supporting Documentation for Disputing: 

•  Use Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report 

•  Chargeback Copy  

•  Invoice copy/copies  

•  Disputes related to cost require written approval from  your Target Merchant partner before submission. Your  supporting documentation should include an email from  the Buyer or Sr. Buyer detailing the Item, the correct cost,  and the applicable timeframe, PO number or deduction(s)  number.

What is Deduction Code A038?   

A manual deduction issued against an invoice for the  difference between the invoice and receipt, of which  the majority of difference is due to item substitu tion(s).  

Recommended Supporting Documentation for Disputing: 

•  Use Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report 

•  Chargeback Copy  

•  Invoice Copy/copies  

•  Packing slip  

•  Signed POS/POD *See below for considerations on pre paid and collect shipments  

•  Documentation Supporting correct casepack

What is Deduction Code A135/A147?

  A return of goods shipped in error, not ordered, or  overstock for a Target store location. There is no PO/ Invoice number associated with this type of deduction.  

Recommended Supporting Documentation for Disputing: 

•  Use Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report 

•  Chargeback Copy  

•  Tally Sheet used by Vendors to check in return  

•  Documentation supporting correct cost (if disputing for  return cost)  

•  Copy of Vendor credits for return  

•  Written approval from your Target Merchant partner  before submission and any supporting documents to prove  the charges should be reversed such as item doesn’t belong  to vendor, incorrect item returned, or incorrect return policy supporting documents

What is Deduction Code A176?   

A system generated deduction issued against an  invoice for the difference between the invoice and  receipt. This deduction is issued for the following  reasons: Shortage, Cost, Substitution, Case Pack, or a  combination of these reasons.  

Recommended Supporting Documentation for Disputing: 

•  Chargeback Copy  

•  Invoice Copy/copies  

•  Packing slip  

•  Signed POS/POD *See below for considerations on pre paid and collect shipments  

•  Documentation Supporting correct casepack 

Returns  

What is Deduction Code A004?   

A weekly roll-up deduction of all Target Stores for  goods destroyed per the Return Policy agreement.  There is no PO/Invoice number associated with this  type of deduction.  

Recommended Supporting Documentation for Disputing: 

•  Use Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report 

•  Chargeback Copy  

Any supporting documents to prove the charge(s)  should be reversed, including but not limited to BOL,  Freight Bills, Proof of Return.

What is Deduction Code A035?   

For Not Ordered, or items shipped in error that are  returned by a Target Distribution Center (DC). A PO/ Invoice number may be associated with this type of  deduction.  

Recommended Supporting Documentation for Disputing: 

•  Use Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report 

•  Chargeback Copy  

•  Tally Sheet used by Vendors to check in return  

•  Documentation supporting correct cost (if disputing for  return cost)  

•  Copy of Vendor credits for return

What is Deduction Code A037?   

For Overstock and Damage/Defective items returned  by Target’s Central Returns Center (CRC). There is  no PO/Invoice number associated with this type of  deduction.  

Recommended Supporting Documentation for Disputing: 

•  Use Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report 

•  CRC Dispute Form 

What is Deduction Code A135?   

For Overstock or Damage/Defective returned by a  Target Distribution Center (DC). A PO/Invoice num ber may not be associated with this type of deduction.  

Recommended Supporting Documentation for Disputing: 

•  Use Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report 

•  Chargeback Copy  

•  Tally Sheet used by Vendors to check in return  

•  Documentation supporting correct cost (if disputing for  return cost)  

•  Copy of Vendor credits for returns 

What is Deduction Code A169?   

For Overstock or Damage/Defective returned by a  Target Distribution Center (DC). A PO/Invoice num ber may not be associated with this type of deduction.  

Recommended Supporting Documentation for Disputing: 

•  Reversal Explanation  

•  Any documentation supporting claim in explanation

What is Deduction Code A242?   

For goods destroyed per Return Policy agreement.  There is no PO/Invoice number associated with this  type of deduction.  

Recommended Supporting Documentation for Disputing: 

•  Use Accounts Payable Credit/Debit Memo Detail Report 

•  Chargeback Copy  

•  Tally Sheet used by Vendors to check in return  

•  Documentation supporting correct cost (if disputing for  return cost)  

•  Copy of Vendor credits for return  

•  CRC Dispute Form (CB567 Disputes Only)   

•  Written approval from your Target Merchant partner  before submission and any supporting documents to prove  the charges should be reversed such as item doesn’t belong to vendor, incorrect item returned, or incorrect return pol icy supporting documents

Miscellaneous  

What is Deduction Code A099?   

A fee associated with processing a manual check. 

Supporting Documentation for Disputing:  

•  Chargeback Copy 

Related Resources