Stripe Payout Setup

Complete guide for setting up your payout method to receive donations

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Overview

To receive donations from players, you need to connect a Stripe account. We use Stripe Connect Express which allows you to receive payments as an individual — no business registration required.

Important: Even though Stripe asks for "business" information, you're setting this up as an individual. The business questions are for regulatory compliance, not because you need to register a business.

What You'll Need

Personal Information

  • Your legal name (first & last)
  • Date of birth
  • Home address
  • Phone number

Banking Details

  • Personal bank account
  • Account number
  • Routing/sort code (country-specific)

Identification

  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Driver's license or passport
  • Clear, readable photo

Tax Information

  • Tax ID (SSN, TFN, etc.)
  • Usually optional initially
  • Required for larger amounts

How to Fill Out the Form

Legal Business Name

Enter your personal name (e.g., "John Smith"). NOT a business name. This is your legal name as an individual.

Business Name (DBA) / Doing Business As

Leave blank or enter your server name. This is optional. Use it if you want donations to show a specific name.

Business Registration Number

Leave blank if you don't have one (ABN in Australia, EIN in US, etc.) — only fill if you have one. Most individuals don't need this.

Business Address

Use your home address. This is where you'll receive tax documents and official correspondence.

Industry

Select: "Charitable and Social Service Organizations" or "Membership Organizations". This categorizes your activity as donations/community support.

Business Website

Enter: https://commpledge.vercel.app or your server's website if you have one.

Country-Specific Requirements

Australia

Bank Account:
  • BSB number (6 digits)
  • Account number (6-10 digits)
Tax Information:
  • Tax File Number (TFN) — optional for small amounts
  • ABN — only if you have one (not required for individuals)
ID Verification:
  • Australian driver's license, OR
  • Australian passport

Note: You don't need an ABN to receive donations as an individual. Only provide it if you already have one for other reasons.

United States

Bank Account:
  • Routing number (9 digits)
  • Account number
Tax Information:
  • Social Security Number (SSN) — required
  • EIN — only if you have a business (not needed for individuals)
ID Verification:
  • State-issued driver's license, OR
  • US passport

United Kingdom

Bank Account:
  • Sort code (6 digits)
  • Account number (8 digits)
Tax Information:
  • National Insurance number — optional initially
  • UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) — only if self-employed
ID Verification:
  • UK driver's license, OR
  • UK passport

Canada

Bank Account:
  • Institution number (3 digits)
  • Transit number (5 digits)
  • Account number
Tax Information:
  • Social Insurance Number (SIN) — required
  • Business Number — only if you have a registered business
ID Verification:
  • Canadian driver's license, OR
  • Canadian passport

European Union Countries

(Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, etc.)

Bank Account:
  • IBAN (International Bank Account Number)
  • BIC/SWIFT code (for some banks)
Tax Information:
  • VAT ID — only if you have a business (most individuals don't)
  • Tax ID varies by country (optional initially)
ID Verification:
  • National ID card, OR
  • Passport from your country

Other Supported Countries

Requirements vary by country but generally include:

  • Personal bank account in your country
  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Tax ID (if required by your country)
  • Proof of address (sometimes)

Supported countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Step-by-Step Instructions

Personal Details

Enter your personal name (not a business name). Use your legal name exactly as it appears on your ID.

Business Information (Fill as Individual)

Even though it says "business," fill it as an individual:

  • Legal name: Your personal name
  • DBA: Leave blank or use your server name
  • Registration number: Leave blank (unless you have ABN/EIN)
  • Address: Your home address
  • Industry: Select "Charitable" or "Membership Organizations"
  • Website: Enter commpledge.vercel.app

Banking Information

Enter your personal bank account details. This is where you'll receive payouts.

Identity Verification

Upload a clear photo of your government-issued ID. Make sure all text is readable.

Review and Submit

Review all information carefully. Stripe will verify your details and activate your account, usually within 24-48 hours.

Common Questions

Why does it ask for business information?

Financial regulations require Stripe to collect certain information about any economic activity. Even as an individual, you need to declare what you're receiving money for. Just fill it with your personal details.

Do I need to register a business?

No. You can operate as an individual. Leave business registration fields blank unless you already have a registered business.

Do I need a business bank account?

No. Use your personal bank account. The money will be deposited there.

What about taxes?

Stripe will report your earnings to tax authorities (IRS in US, ATO in Australia, etc.). You're responsible for declaring this as income. Consult a tax professional for specific advice.

How long does verification take?

Usually 24-48 hours. Sometimes instant if all information is clear. You'll receive an email when approved.

When will I receive payouts?

After verification completes, payouts are automatic:

  • Default: Daily (for verified accounts)
  • New accounts: 7-14 day rolling basis initially
  • Changes to daily after processing history

Is there a minimum payout amount?

Varies by country. Usually $1-25 USD equivalent. Stripe will hold funds until minimum is reached.

Tips for Success

  • Use your personal name everywhere, not a business name
  • Make sure your ID is clear and all text is readable
  • Double-check your bank details — errors delay payouts
  • Leave business registration fields blank if you don't have them
  • Complete all required fields — incomplete forms delay approval
  • Check your email — Stripe may ask for additional verification

Understanding Payouts

How Payouts Work

When someone donates to your server, the money goes through this process:

Donation Made

Player donates via saved card → Payment captured by Stripe

Platform Fee Deducted

5% platform fee taken (Stripe fees separate)

Added to Balance

95% of donation added to your Stripe balance

Automatic Payout

Stripe automatically transfers to your bank account

Payout Timeline

New Accounts (First 2-4 weeks)

When you first connect Stripe, there's an initial holding period for security:

  • First payout: 7-14 days after first donation
  • Reason: Fraud protection and account verification
  • What happens: Funds accumulate, then first payout includes everything

Established Accounts (After Initial Period)

Once your account is established, payouts become automatic and fast:

  • Schedule: Daily automatic payouts
  • Timeline: 2-3 business days to your bank
  • Example: Donation Monday → In your bank Wednesday/Thursday

Payout Times by Country

CountryPayout TimeMethod
Australia2-3 business daysDirect deposit
United States2 business daysACH transfer
United Kingdom2-3 business daysFaster Payments
Canada3-5 business daysEFT transfer
EU Countries2-4 business daysSEPA transfer
Singapore3-7 business daysPayNow/GIRO
Other countries3-7 business daysLocal transfer

How to Check Your Payouts

Method 1: Stripe Dashboard (Most Detailed)

  1. Go to Stripe Dashboard
  2. Sign in with your Stripe Express account
  3. Click "Balance" in the sidebar
  4. You'll see available balance, pending balance, and payout schedule
  5. Click "Payouts" to see history of bank transfers

Method 2: Email Notifications

Stripe automatically sends email notifications for:

  • When a donation is received
  • When a payout is initiated
  • When money arrives in your bank
  • If there are any issues with payouts

Method 3: Your Bank Account

Check your bank statement for deposits from:

  • Descriptor: "STRIPE" or "Stripe Payments"
  • Reference: May include your platform name
  • Amount: Net amount after fees

What You'll Actually Receive

Example: Player donates $10.00 USD

Donation amount:$10.00
Platform fee (5%):-$0.50
Stripe processing fee (~2.9% + $0.30):-$0.59
You receive:$8.91

Note: Stripe fees vary by card type and country. International cards may have higher fees (~3.9% + $0.30).

Payout Schedule Explained

Daily Payouts (Standard)

Our platform is configured for daily automatic payouts:

  • Stripe initiates payout once per day
  • Includes all donations from previous day
  • Takes 2-5 business days to reach bank
  • No action needed — completely automatic

Example timeline: Monday: $20 in donations → Payout initiated Tuesday → Money in bank Thursday

Rolling Reserve (New Accounts)

For the first 2-4 weeks, Stripe uses a rolling reserve:

  • Payouts delayed by 7-14 days initially
  • Protects against fraud and chargebacks
  • Automatically switches to daily schedule after building history
  • Completely normal — happens to all new accounts

Minimum Payout Amounts

Stripe won't send a payout until your balance reaches a minimum threshold:

Australia: $1 AUD
United States: $1 USD
UK: £1 GBP
EU: €1 EUR
Canada: $1 CAD
Other: $1-25 USD equiv.

How to View Your Earnings

In Stripe Dashboard:

  1. Visit dashboard.stripe.com
  2. Log in with your Stripe account
  3. View Balance — available and pending funds
  4. View Payouts — transfer history to bank
  5. View Payments — individual donations received

Understanding Your Balance:

  • Available: Ready to be paid out (will go out on next payout)
  • Pending: Being processed (will become available soon)
  • In transit: On the way to your bank

Instant Payouts (Optional)

Some countries support Instant Payouts for eligible accounts:

  • Speed: Money in your bank within minutes
  • Cost: 0.5-1% fee per payout
  • Eligibility: Must have debit card linked (not all banks supported)
  • Availability: US, UK, EU, SG, AU (limited banks)

Note: Most users stick with free daily payouts. Instant is optional for urgent needs.

Tax Reporting

Important: Donations you receive are considered income for tax purposes.

What Stripe does:

  • Reports your earnings to tax authorities (IRS, ATO, HMRC, etc.)
  • Sends you tax forms (1099-K in US, similar in other countries)
  • Usually only if you earn over threshold (e.g., $600/year in US)

What you should do:

  • Keep records of donations received
  • Declare as income on tax return
  • Consult a tax professional for specific advice
  • Deduct server hosting costs (may be applicable)

Troubleshooting

Account verification is taking too long

Stripe typically verifies within 24-48 hours. If it's longer, check:

  • Your email for verification requests
  • Stripe dashboard for pending actions
  • ID photo quality (upload clearer photo if needed)
Bank details rejected

Common issues:

  • Account number format incorrect
  • Using savings account (use checking/current)
  • Bank doesn't support electronic transfers
Need to change country

If you selected the wrong country, you need to reset:

  1. Go to /dashboard/stripe/reset
  2. Delete your current connection
  3. Update country in Settings
  4. Connect again with correct country
Set up incorrectly? Need to start over?

If you didn't follow the setup guide correctly or made mistakes during setup, you can remove your payout method and try again:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Scroll to the "Payout Method" section
  3. Click the "Remove Payout Method" button
  4. Confirm the removal
  5. Click "Connect Stripe Account" again
  6. Follow this guide carefully to set it up correctly

Tip: This is especially useful if you entered wrong information, selected the wrong country, or didn't complete the setup.

Still asking for business registration

This is normal for compliance. You can:

  • Leave it blank — most individuals don't have this
  • Enter your personal name as the "business name"
  • Select industry: "Charitable" or "Membership"

Need Help?

Stripe Support

For account setup issues or verification questions:

Visit Stripe Support →

Platform Support

For platform-specific issues:

Go to Settings →

Ready to Get Started?

Connect your Stripe account and start receiving donations today.

Go to Settings