Setting Up Payouts

Configure payout settings for your affiliate program

Table of Contents

Setting Up Payouts

Payouts are how affiliates receive their earned commissions. This guide covers configuring payout settings for your program.

Payout Overview

The payout process:

  1. Affiliate earns commissions from conversions
  2. Commissions reach “due” status after holding period
  3. Due commissions bundled into payout
  4. Payout processed via selected payment method
  5. Affiliate receives funds

Configuration Steps

1. Access Payout Settings

  1. Go to Settings → Affiliate
  2. Find the Payouts section
  3. Configure your preferences

2. Set Minimum Payout Threshold

Define the minimum amount before a payout is created:

ThresholdUse Case
$5Maximize affiliate satisfaction
$25Balance between payouts and fees
$50Reduce payout frequency/fees
$100High-value programs

If an affiliate’s due commissions are below the threshold, they accumulate until reaching the minimum.

3. Choose Payout Currency

Select your payout currency (typically matches your Stripe account):

  • USD (default)
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • Other supported currencies

4. Select Payment Methods

Enable available payment methods:

MethodAvailability
PayPalStarter+ plans
Wise (TransferWise)Starter+ plans
Bank TransferManual process

Payout Methods

PayPal

Popular option for global payouts:

  • Affiliates provide PayPal email
  • Mass payouts supported
  • Transaction fees apply

Setup:

  1. Connect your PayPal Business account
  2. Enable PayPal in payout settings
  3. Affiliates enter their PayPal email

Wise (TransferWise)

Cost-effective international transfers:

  • Lower fees than traditional wire
  • Multiple currency support
  • Bulk payout capability

Setup:

  1. Create Wise Business account
  2. Connect via API
  3. Affiliates provide bank details

Manual Payouts

For other payment methods:

  1. Export due payouts
  2. Process via your preferred method
  3. Mark as paid in AffiliateBase

Payout Flow

Commission States

Pending → Due → Processing → Paid
StateDescription
PendingEarned but not yet due
DueHolding period passed, ready for payout
ProcessingPayout created, being processed
PaidPayment completed

Creating Payouts

Payouts can be created:

  • Manually: You initiate when ready
  • Scheduled: Automatic on set schedule (coming soon)

Processing Payouts

  1. Go to Payouts section
  2. Review due commissions by affiliate
  3. Create payout for eligible affiliates
  4. Process via selected payment method
  5. Mark as paid with optional reference number

Affiliate Requirements

Payment Details

Affiliates must configure their payment method:

  • PayPal email address
  • Bank account details (for Wise/wire)
  • Tax information (if required)

In Affiliate Portal

Affiliates manage their payout settings:

  1. Log into affiliate portal
  2. Go to Settings/Profile
  3. Enter payment details
  4. Save preferences

Minimum Thresholds

Organization-Level Minimum

Set a default minimum for all affiliates:

  • Applies to new affiliates automatically
  • Can be overridden per campaign

Campaign-Level Minimum

Override for specific campaigns:

  1. Go to Campaigns
  2. Select campaign
  3. Set Minimum payout amount

Useful for:

  • High-commission campaigns (higher threshold)
  • New affiliate programs (lower threshold)

Tax Considerations

Tax Information Collection

Depending on your jurisdiction:

  • Collect tax IDs from affiliates
  • May require W-9 (US) or equivalent
  • Store securely for compliance

Tax Form Requirements

Consider:

  • 1099 requirements (US)
  • VAT considerations (EU)
  • Local tax obligations

In-App Collection

Configure required fields during affiliate signup:

  • Tax ID
  • Business name
  • Address
  • VAT number (if applicable)

Payout Timing

Due Date Calculation

Commissions become due based on:

  • Days before referrals expire setting
  • After this period, commission moves to “due”

Example:

  • Sale on January 1
  • 30-day holding period
  • Commission due: January 31

Why Holding Periods?

Holding periods allow for:

  • Refund processing
  • Chargeback handling
  • Fraud detection
  • Payment verification

Best Practices

Set Clear Expectations

Tell affiliates:

  • Minimum payout threshold
  • Holding period duration
  • Available payment methods
  • Payout schedule

Regular Payout Schedule

Consider a consistent schedule:

  • Monthly (most common)
  • Bi-weekly (high volume)
  • Weekly (premium programs)

Keep Records

Maintain documentation:

  • Payout amounts and dates
  • Payment confirmations
  • Affiliate acknowledgments

Troubleshooting

Affiliate Not Receiving Payout

  1. Check minimum threshold met
  2. Verify payment details correct
  3. Confirm payout was processed
  4. Check payment method status

Payout Stuck Processing

  1. Verify payment method connected
  2. Check for payment errors
  3. Review payment provider status
  4. Contact support if needed

Wrong Payout Amount

  1. Review commission calculations
  2. Check for voided commissions
  3. Verify exchange rates
  4. Reconcile with transactions

Next Steps