Stripe Connect: Receiving Your Earnings
Set up Stripe Connect to receive payouts from your Postion subscriptions and sales. Understand the fee structure, payout schedule, and how to manage your connected account.
Introduction to Stripe Connect
Postion uses Stripe Connect to handle all creator payouts. This industry-standard solution ensures your earnings are deposited directly into your bank account, securely and reliably.
Why Stripe Connect? It's the most trusted payment infrastructure for marketplaces and platforms. Your financial data is protected by Stripe's bank-level security—Postion never sees your bank details.
Understanding the Fee Structure
Transparency is our priority. Here's exactly how fees work:
Fee Breakdown
| Fee Type | Amount | Charged By |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | 5% of revenue | Postion |
| Payment Processing | ~2.9% + $0.30 | Stripe |
Example Calculation
For a $10/month subscription:
Subscriber pays: $10.00
Stripe processing fee: -$0.59 (2.9% + $0.30)
Postion platform fee: -$0.50 (5%)
─────────────────────────────────
You receive: $8.91
Our 5% platform fee is one of the lowest in the industry. Substack takes 10%, Patreon takes 5-12% depending on tier, and most competitors charge more.
Setting Up Stripe Connect
Prerequisites
Before you begin:
- A valid bank account in a Stripe-supported country
- Government-issued ID for verification
- Tax information (SSN/EIN for US, equivalent for other countries)
Connection Process
-
Navigate to Stripe Connect - Go to your Dashboard → Stripe Connect in the sidebar.
-
Click "Connect with Stripe" - You'll be redirected to Stripe's secure onboarding flow.
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Complete Stripe Onboarding - Provide your business information:
- Business type (Individual or Company)
- Personal information and address
- Bank account details for payouts
- Tax identification
-
Verification - Stripe may ask for identity verification. This usually takes 1-2 business days.
-
Connection Confirmed - Once verified, you'll see "Connected" status in your dashboard. You're ready to receive payouts!
Important: Use accurate information during onboarding. Mismatched information can delay verification or cause payout issues.
Managing Your Stripe Account
Accessing Your Stripe Dashboard
You can access your Stripe Express dashboard directly from Postion:
- Go to Dashboard → Stripe Connect
- Click "Open Stripe Dashboard"
- View your balance, payout history, and settings
What You Can Do in Stripe
| Action | How |
|---|---|
| View Balance | See pending and available funds |
| Payout History | Review all past deposits |
| Update Bank Account | Change where payouts go |
| Tax Documents | Download 1099s and tax forms |
| Dispute Management | Handle customer disputes |
Payout Schedule
Automatic Payouts
By default, Stripe pays out your available balance automatically:
| Region | Typical Schedule |
|---|---|
| United States | 2 business days (rolling) |
| United Kingdom | 3 business days |
| European Union | 3-5 business days |
| Other Countries | Varies, typically 7 days |
Payout Timing
Here's how money flows:
flowchart LR
A[Subscriber Pays] --> B[7-Day Hold]
B --> C[Available Balance]
C --> D[Automatic Payout]
D --> E[Your Bank Account]Why the hold period? Stripe holds funds for 7 days for new accounts to protect against fraud and disputes. This shortens over time as you build history.
Revenue Tracking
In Your Postion Dashboard
Monitor your earnings without leaving Postion:
💵 Total Revenue
Gross earnings from all sources
📈 MRR
Monthly Recurring Revenue from subscriptions
💰 Net Earnings
Your take-home after all fees
Earnings Breakdown
View revenue by:
- Time Period: Daily, weekly, monthly, all-time
- Revenue Type: Subscriptions vs. one-time purchases
- Plan: Which subscription tiers perform best
Handling Refunds & Disputes
Refund Policy
Subscribers can request refunds through their account. When a refund is issued:
- Full refund amount is returned to the subscriber
- Platform fees are also refunded
- Funds are deducted from your balance
Dispute (Chargeback) Management
If a subscriber disputes a charge with their bank:
- Notification: You'll receive an email alert
- Review: Access dispute details in Stripe
- Respond: Provide evidence if you believe the charge was valid
- Resolution: Stripe facilitates resolution with the bank
Prevent disputes proactively:
- Use clear billing descriptors
- Make cancellation easy to find
- Respond promptly to subscriber inquiries
Tax Considerations
Tax Forms
Stripe automatically generates tax documents:
- US Creators: 1099-K forms for qualifying accounts
- International: Varies by country requirements
Access tax forms in your Stripe Express dashboard.
Platform Fee Tax Treatment
The 5% platform fee is a business expense and may be tax-deductible. Consult your tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Why are my payouts pending?
- New Account: Initial 7-day hold period
- Verification Needed: Check Stripe for required documents
- Negative Balance: Previous refunds exceeded balance
Solution: Log into your Stripe dashboard to see specific hold reasons.
Getting Help
- Stripe Support: For bank and payout issues
- Postion Support: For platform connection issues
Best Practices
✅ Do
- • Keep Stripe account info updated
- • Monitor your balance regularly
- • Respond to disputes promptly
- • Download tax documents annually
❌ Don't
- • Share Stripe credentials
- • Ignore verification requests
- • Let disputes go unanswered
- • Close your bank account without updating Stripe
Related Documentation
- Monetization Strategies: Maximize your revenue
- Subscription Plans: Set up recurring revenue
- Content Access Control: Configure paid content