Earnings & Payouts
Everything you need to know about earning money on Themely, including Stripe Connect setup, payout schedules, and tax considerations.
Verification Required
Only verified authors can sell products and earn money on Themely. If you're not verified yet, check out our Verification Guide to get started.
How Earnings Work
When customers purchase your products, the revenue flows through our payment system powered by Stripe Connect. Here's how it works:
Customer Makes Purchase
Customer buys your product using credit card, debit card, or other payment methods.
Payment Processing
Stripe processes the payment securely and holds the funds.
Commission Deducted
Platform commission and payment processing fees are automatically deducted.
Earnings Available
Your earnings become available for payout based on your schedule.
Revenue Split
Setting Up Stripe Connect
We use Stripe Connect Express to handle payments securely. This is a streamlined onboarding process that lets you receive payouts directly to your bank account in 45+ countries.
Onboarding Process
Start Verification
During author verification, you'll be redirected to Stripe's secure onboarding page.
Verify Your Identity
Provide your legal name, date of birth, and address. Upload a government-issued ID.
Add Bank Account
Link your bank account for receiving payouts. Stripe verifies this with micro-deposits.
Complete Tax Info
US sellers: SSN/EIN. Non-US: Complete W-8BEN form for tax treaty benefits.
What You'll Need Ready
- Government-issued Photo ID
Passport, driver's license, or national ID card (clear photo required)
- Bank Account Details
US: Routing + Account number | EU: IBAN | UK: Sort code + Account number
- Tax Identification Number
SSN/EIN (US) | VAT number (EU) | National tax ID (other countries)
- Business Details (if applicable)
Company registration number, legal business name, address
Your Data is Secure
All sensitive information is handled directly by Stripe's PCI-DSS Level 1 certified infrastructure. We never see or store your banking details, tax IDs, or ID documents.
Payout Schedule
Stripe Connect handles payouts automatically on a rolling basis. Here's how it works:
T+2 Days
Standard Payout Speed
Daily
Automatic Rolling
1-3 Days
Bank Processing
Understanding the Payout Timeline
- Day 0 (Sale): Customer purchases your product. Payment is captured immediately.
- Day 1-2 (Processing): Stripe processes the payment, deducts fees, and calculates your share.
- Day 2+ (Payout): Funds are automatically transferred to your bank account daily (or per your Stripe settings).
- +1-3 Days (Bank): Your bank processes the deposit. ACH transfers typically take 1-2 business days.
Minimum Payout Threshold: $10
Payouts are only processed when your available balance meets or exceeds $10. This threshold is set by platform administrators for operational efficiency.
Why a minimum? Processing bank transfers involves fixed costs. The minimum ensures payouts are cost-effective and that you receive meaningful amounts rather than micro-transfers.
If your balance is below $10, it will accumulate until the threshold is reached.
International Payout Times
- 🇺🇸 United States: 2 business days
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: 2 business days
- 🇪🇺 EU/SEPA: 2-3 business days
- 🇦🇺 Australia: 2-3 business days
- 🌍 Other countries: 3-7 business days
Tax Considerations
Important Notice
This is general information only. Please consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
You're Responsible for Taxes
As an independent seller, you're responsible for reporting and paying taxes on your earnings according to your local laws.
🇺🇸 US Authors: 1099 Forms
If you earn more than $600 in a calendar year, Stripe will issue a 1099-K form for your tax records. Make sure your SSN/EIN is correctly entered in Stripe.
🌍 International Authors: W-8BEN
Non-US sellers must complete a W-8BEN (individuals) or W-8BEN-E (businesses) form to certify foreign status and claim tax treaty benefits if applicable.
🇪🇺 EU VAT Information
B2C Sales (to consumers): For digital products sold to EU consumers, VAT is typically collected and remitted by the platform (Stripe handles this via Stripe Tax where enabled). The buyer pays the VAT rate of their country.
B2B Sales (to businesses): If you sell to EU businesses with valid VAT numbers, VAT may not apply under the reverse charge mechanism. This is handled automatically during checkout.
EU-based Authors: You may need to:
- Register for VAT in your country if you exceed thresholds
- Provide your VAT number in Stripe Connect settings
- Include VAT in your pricing or display VAT-exclusive prices
- File VAT returns in your jurisdiction
OSS (One-Stop-Shop): EU sellers can use the OSS scheme to report VAT across all EU member states through a single registration.
Keep Good Records
We recommend tracking:
- All sales and earnings
- Platform fees paid
- VAT collected (if applicable)
- Business expenses
- Payout statements
- Invoices issued
Download Your Records: You can export your complete earnings and payout history from your Author Dashboard → Earnings page at any time.
Viewing Your Earnings
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I receive my first payout?
After your first sale, Stripe typically processes payouts within 2 business days. New accounts may have a slightly longer initial payout delay (7-14 days) while Stripe verifies your identity. Bank transfer adds 1-3 additional business days.
Can I change my payout bank account?
Yes! Go to Author Settings → Payment Settings to access your Stripe dashboard and update your bank details. Changes take effect on the next payout.
Can I change my payout schedule?
Yes, through your Stripe Express dashboard you can choose daily, weekly, or monthly payouts. The default is automatic daily payouts once your balance reaches the threshold.
Why is there a minimum payout of $10?
The minimum payout threshold ($10) is set by platform administrators to ensure payouts are cost-effective. Bank transfers have fixed processing costs, so batching smaller amounts into larger payouts is more efficient for everyone.
What are Stripe's processing fees?
Stripe charges approximately 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (rates vary by country). These fees are deducted before the platform commission. You can see exact fees in your Stripe dashboard.
Do I need to handle chargebacks?
Stripe handles chargebacks automatically. If a customer disputes a charge, the amount is held pending resolution. We provide transaction evidence to help defend against fraudulent disputes.
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