1. Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
1. Basis of Presentation	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Payment Data Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the accompanying interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature considered necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for such periods. The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed April 3, 2012. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim periods or the full fiscal year. Marketable Securities: The Company classifies its marketable security investment portfolio as either held to maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. At June 30, 2012, all of the Company’s marketable securities were trading. Securities classified as trading are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in the consolidated statement of operations. Classification as current or non-current is based primarily on whether there is an active public market for such security, as well as the daily trading volume of a security relative to the Company’s ownership position. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain amounts for 2011 have been reclassified for comparative purposes for 2012.

1. Basis of Presentation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Payment Data Systems, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the accompanying interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature considered necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for such periods. The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed April 3, 2012. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim periods or the full fiscal year.

Marketable Securities: The Company classifies its marketable security investment portfolio as either held to maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. At June 30, 2012, all of the Company’s marketable securities were trading. Securities classified as trading are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in the consolidated statement of operations. Classification as current or non-current is based primarily on whether there is an active public market for such security, as well as the daily trading volume of a security relative to the Company’s ownership position.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain amounts for 2011 have been reclassified for comparative purposes for 2012.