Charges align to various points in time, and are triggered by the behaviour and state of a subscription. Upodi is built to empower complex states of subscription in an easy setup. The charge alignment date defines _when_ a charge is triggered. In the following we will describe the various charge alignment options.

You define charge alignment for a given product plan, under the **Product catalog**, **Plans** and under the **Product Plan Charge**.

## Charge alignment options

### **Align to subscription start date**

By aligning a charge to the subscription start date, the given charge will be triggered from the day the subscription starts. This is the normal behaviour of subscriptions and disregards the activation date, and will charge customers forward for the charge period.

### **Align to subscription activation date**

By aligning a charge to the subscription activation date, a charge is dormant till the subscription is activated, and will be aligned with the activation, not the start date as specfiied in the subscription.

### **Align to subscription end date**

The end date alignment enables charges to occur on the last date of any given subscription. The end date of a subscription is when the subscription does not auto renew, or when an evergreen subscription is cancelled.

### **Align to subscription cancellation date**

By aligning a charge to the subscription cancellation date, you can setup Upodi to provide automated cancellation fees. The charge will occur when the subscription is cancelled immediately. If a subscription is cancelled at next renewal, the charge will not be triggered.

### **Align to charge-period end date**

A charge period is the cycle of any charge. By aligning the charge to the end date of a given charge period, you enable Upodi to charge backwards.

## Questions?

We're always happy to help with code or other questions you might have! **Search** our documentation or contact **helpdesk**. You can also chat live with us using the Intercom icon.