Abstract: A return request processing engine automatically approves or denies requests for authorization to return a purchased item to the seller of the item. The return request processing engine utilizes return request rules to determine whether a particular return request can be approved or denied without input from the seller. When a request is received from a buyer to return an item, the return request processing engine utilizes the return request rules to determine if the request to return the item can be automatically approved or denied without input from the seller. If the return request processing engine cannot automatically approve or deny a return request, the return request processing engine causes a message to be transmitted to the seller of the item that provides a user interface through which the seller can indicate whether the return request is approved or denied by way of a single user input.