You post an incoming payment from a customer with a residual item for a payment difference. What are the consequences? Note: There are 2 correct answers to this question.

Question

Options

• AThe residual item is written off to a cost account.
• BThe residual item becomes a new receivable.
• CThe original document and the payment are cleared.
• DBoth the original open item and the residual item remain on the account as open items.

• A
  5% (2)
• B
  84% (37)
• D
  11% (5)

Explanation

When you post an incoming payment using the residual item method to handle a payment difference, SAP clears the original invoice against the incoming payment (making C correct), and simultaneously creates a brand-new open receivable for the outstanding difference amount (making B correct). The residual item carries a new document number and due date, effectively replacing the original item on the customer's account.

Why A is wrong: Writing the difference off to a cost/expense account describes the write-off method (using tolerance groups), not the residual item method - no G/L expense posting occurs here.

Why D is wrong: The original open item does not remain open; it is fully cleared by the incoming payment. Only the newly created residual item stays open on the account.

Memory tip: Think of "residual item" as a replacement, not a remnant - the old invoice is gone (cleared), and a new smaller receivable takes its place. Contrast this with a partial payment, where the original item stays open and both items coexist on the account.

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