# Restaurant step 9: open tabs, split and part payments

> Let guests eat first and pay later with open tabs, add rounds to a running order, split one bill across cash and cards, and handle real credit customers.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/restaurant/step-9-open-tabs-and-split-payments/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

In a sit-down restaurant, guests order, eat, order again and pay at the end. **Open tabs** handle exactly that. This page also covers paying one bill with several methods, and the difference between an open tab and a real credit customer.

> **How to turn it on**
> 1. **Plan:** Included with the restaurant features
> 2. **Switch:** Restaurant › Restaurant settings › Open tabs › Open tabs on the POS (Tables or Kitchen must be on)
> 3. **Permission:** Waiters: create sales and see own sales; managers: see all sales
> - **Mobile app:** SmartPOS Business app › Restaurant › Open tabs

## Open a tab and add rounds

1. At the POS, pick the table (or type a **Tab / guest name**), enter **Guests** if you like, and add the first items.
2. Tap **Send to kitchen**. The tab is saved and the kitchen gets the ticket with the table, tab name and guests.
3. When the guests order more, click **Open tabs** in the POS header and choose **Add items** on their tab. (Picking a table that already has a tab on a new sale also offers to open that tab.)
4. Items already sent show **Sent**. Add the new items and tap **Send new items**. The kitchen ticket shows a **Round 2** chip with the new items marked **New**, and the printed kitchen ticket lists only the new items.

![Open tabs window in the POS with a search box for table, name or invoice](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/pos-v1-open-tabs-panel.Ug-kjP2I.png) (web app page: `/pos/create`)
*The Open tabs window lists every running tab; the badge on the header button shows how many are open.*

![Open tabs list in the SmartPOS Business app with tabs per table, rounds, status and Add items, Bill and Pay buttons](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/open-tabs-list.CfSmQG3j.png)
![Pre-bill marked Bill, not a receipt, with table, tab name, guests, waiter and amount due](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/open-tab-bill.CxEVn3kF.png)
*Open tabs and the pre-bill in the SmartPOS Business app.*

## Bill and pay the tab

1. In **Open tabs**, click **Bill** to print the pre-bill ("Bill — not a receipt").
2. Click **Pay**. The payment window opens with the amount due filled in.
3. Take payment (below) and click **Complete sale**.
4. The tab closes, the order moves to **Completed**, the table frees up, and the receipt shows the tab name instead of "Walk-In Customer".

## Split one bill across several payments

1. In the payment window, pick the first method (for example **Card**) and type the amount that guest pays.
2. Click **Split payment** (or press the shortcut shown) to add another line.
3. Pick the next method (for example **Cash**) and its amount. Repeat until **Paid** equals **Amount due**.
4. Click **Complete sale**.

![Payment window with Cash selected, Split payment button, payment method tiles and Complete sale](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/pos-v2-payment-window.BrR3WY1s.png) (web app page: `/pos-v2/create`)
*Split payment adds a second payment line; in POS V1 the same is called Multiple Pay.*

:::note[Split by items is not available]
SmartPOS Hub splits a bill by method and amount, not into separate checks per guest. Work out each guest's share and enter it as its own payment line.
:::

## Open tab vs. credit customer

| Situation | Use | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Guests eat now and pay before leaving | **Open tab** (Send to kitchen, Pay at the end) | No customer needed, no credit limit |
| A walk-in taps **Pay later** on a dine-in order | **Keep tab open** | The tab stays open, no credit sale |
| A known customer pays another day or in parts | **Credit sale** or part payment | The balance goes on the customer's ledger; credit limit applies |
| A walk-in asks to pay later | The POS asks for a name and phone first | A customer is created (or found by phone) and the credit sale continues |

Part payments, instalments and credit limits are explained in [Credit and part payments](https://docs.smartposhub.com/selling/credit-and-partial-payments/) and [Customer credit limits and advances](https://docs.smartposhub.com/selling/customer-credit-limits-and-advances/).

## Next step

  - [Step 10: Online ordering, table QR and the Shopper app](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/restaurant/step-10-online-ordering-and-qr/)
  - [Open tabs module](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/open-tabs/)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is an open tab?

A running order for a table or a named guest. Items go to the kitchen as they are ordered, stock is taken, and the guests pay once at the end.

### Why does Pay later say Keep tab open?

On a dine-in order, Pay later in the payment window keeps the tab open instead of creating a credit sale, so walk-in guests don't need a customer account.

### Can a table split the bill by person?

You can split the payment by method and amount, for example one guest pays 40 by card and another 30 in cash. Splitting by items into separate checks is not available; divide the amount instead.

### Can a waiter reopen another waiter's tab?

No. Waiters see and reopen only their own tabs. Managers and cashiers with full sales access see every tab.

### A regular wants to pay at the end of the month. Is that an open tab?

No. That is a credit sale. Pick the customer, complete the sale with Credit Sale or a part payment, and collect the balance later. Credit limits apply.

### Does an open tab keep the table busy overnight?

Yes. An unpaid open tab keeps its table occupied for up to 7 days, so you notice it. Pay or cancel old tabs at closing time.