---
title: "Start a Tab Configuration Settings | SpotOn Restaurant BOH"
canonical: "https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/2589261836/Start%20a%20Tab%20Configuration%20Settings%20%7C%20SpotOn%20Restaurant%20BOH"
format: markdown
---
## **Overview**

Start a Tab allows merchants to pre-authorize a customer's payment card when an order is started, helping reduce payment issues and streamline tab management. This article explains the Back of House (BOH) configuration settings available for Start a Tab, including default tab amounts, adjustment permissions, and incremental authorizations.

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**Quick Links**

> Macro (toc)

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## **Step-by-Step Instructions**

#### **Start a Tab Configuration**

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#### **Default Tab Amount**

- Enter a default minimum amount to Start a Tab for when a new order is started

**Allow Default Tab Adjustments**

- Use the checkbox to enable the tab adjustments pop-up modal to display by default when a new order is started in FOH

**Limiting Default Tab Adjustments by Job Position**

- To limit the Default Tab Adjustment option to only specific job functions, go to **Job Positions** in BOH
- Choose the desired job position and scroll down to the **Cash Management** section
- Enable **Can Approve Default Tab Amount Adjustments** by using the Check Box on the right

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#### **Increment as Tab Increases**

**Enabling Increment as Tab Increases**

- To authorize items by the payment processor as items are added to a tab, use the check box to **Enable Increment as Tab Increases**

**Disabling Increment as Tab Increases**

- When an item is added to Start a Tab, users can continually add items to a tab without pre-authorizing the card
- The card will not be authorized again until the **Apply Payment** button is selected to close the total tab
- The Closed Ticket will display with the successful authorization confirmation

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## **FAQs**

**What does Allow Start a Tab do?**

This setting enables or disables the Start a Tab feature for the location.

**Can I limit which employees can start tabs?**

Yes. The **Can Start Tabs** permission can be enabled for specific job positions under the **Cash Management** section of Job Positions.

**What is the Default Tab Amount?**

The Default Tab Amount is the minimum amount that will be used when a new tab is started.

**Can I control who can adjust the Default Tab Amount?**

Yes. The **Can Approve Default Tab Amount Adjustments** permission allows only selected job positions to approve changes to the default amount.

**What does Increment as Tab Increases do?**

When enabled, the payment processor can authorize additional amounts as items are added to an open tab.

**What happens when Increment as Tab Increases is disabled?**

The card will not be authorized again until the payment is applied and the tab is closed.

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## **Tips**

- Verify that the device is configured with valid TransIT credentials.
- Confirm that PAX devices are using **PAX/TransIt** as the Payment Terminal Credit Card Processor.
- If employees cannot start tabs, verify that the **Can Start Tabs** permission is enabled for their job position.
- If employees cannot adjust default tab amounts, verify that the **Can Approve Default Tab Amount Adjustments** permission is enabled for their job position.
- Review the **Increment as Tab Increases** setting if authorization behavior is not working as expected.

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## **Related Articles **

- [QR Start a Tab on WorldPay | SpotOn Restaurant BOH](https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/3942416389)
- [Start a Tab Functions | SpotOn Restaurant FOH](https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/2589261985)
- [Start a Tab FAQs | SpotOn Restaurant FOH](https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/2588442955)
- [Start a Tab FAQs (World Pay) | SpotOn Restaurant FOH](https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/3402891265)