> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guides.paynow.gg/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guides.paynow.gg/getting-started/payout-account.md). # Setting Up Your Payout Account Before PayNow can send you money, complete payout onboarding. **Tipalti**, our payments partner, handles it, so parts of this flow open their forms rather than the PayNow dashboard. *Dashboard →* [*Billing*](/payments-and-payouts/billing.md) *→* [*Payouts*](/payments-and-payouts/payouts.md)*. Owner-only: the page isn't permission-gated and no role grants it. See* [*Account Payouts vs Store Payouts*](/payments-and-payouts/account-vs-store-payouts.md)*.* ## Two ways to use PayNow payouts | You want to… | Path | | ---------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Sell things through a store | Create a store, then complete payout onboarding as part of launch | | Receive affiliate settlements only | Register, choose **Setup Payouts** at first login, never create a store | You do **not** need a store to receive settlements through PayNow, and you can [create one](/getting-started/creating-a-store.md) from the dashboard later if you change your mind. ## Payouts-only setup (affiliates) ### 1. Register 1. Go to [dashboard.paynow.gg/auth/register](https://dashboard.paynow.gg/auth/register). 2. Click **Register Now**. 3. When asked **"What do you plan to sell?"**, choose the closest match. 4. Click **Continue** and finish sign-up. ### 2. Choose the payouts path at first login On first login you're asked how to proceed. Choose **Setup Payouts**, not *Create a Store* and not *Join a Store*, then click **Continue**. You can create a store later from the dashboard if you change your mind. ### 3. Complete Tipalti onboarding 1. Go to **Payouts** in the sidebar. 2. Click **Setup Payouts** in the top-right. 3. A **Payout Setup** dialog opens with Tipalti's form embedded in it. Provide your personal or business details (name, address, contact information), your payout method (local bank transfer, wire, and others depending on country, plus PayPal if your store is in USD), and your tax information. 4. Click **Next** through each section. 5. Submit. Your payout method is then reviewed. The tax step is a Tipalti-hosted form inside an iframe, and it's where people get stuck. [Tax Forms](/getting-started/tax-forms.md) covers which form applies to you and how to complete it. Once approved, you can withdraw.
The Payouts page before onboarding, showing the eligibility warning and Setup Payouts button.
### 4. Receive payments 1. Share your **PayNow Payout ID** with the platform paying you. 2. Confirm your payout settings on their side. 3. Settlements appear in your PayNow balance. Which platforms support PayNow as a payout destination depends on the affiliate network or service, so ask them. ## Choosing a payout method Which methods you're offered depends on your country. **PayPal is USD stores only** and isn't offered on any other store currency. You can change method later from the Payouts page; the new one goes through review again. Cost is the thing worth comparing, because the gap between methods is large. ### What the method costs you Tipalti sets these fees and deducts them from the payment. | Payment method | Transaction fee | | ---------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | | **ACH** | USD 1.12 | | **eCheck (Local)** | USD 1.12 | | **Check** | USD 2.24 | | **eCheck** | USD 6.74 | | **PayPal** (US resident) | USD 1.12 + 2.00%, capped at USD 2.25. **USD stores only** | | **PayPal** (non-US resident) | USD 1.12 + 2.00%, capped at USD 23.59. **USD stores only** | | **Wire transfer** (US resident) | USD 16.85 | | **Wire transfer** (non-US resident, paid in non-USD) | USD 22.47 | | **Wire transfer** (non-US resident, paid in USD) | USD 29.21 | **A wire costs roughly fifteen times an ACH for moving the same money.** Take the local option where your country has one. Because the fee is a flat charge per payment rather than a percentage, **how often you withdraw costs you more than which method you use**. Four weekly withdrawals pay the fee four times; one monthly withdrawal pays it once. ### FX fees Charged on top when the payment currency differs from the currency you chose to be paid in. **These vary by country**; the defaults are: | Payment amount | FX fee | | --------------------------- | ------ | | Up to USD 499.99 | 3.00% | | USD 500.00 to USD 99,999.99 | 2.50% | | Over USD 100,000.00 | 1.90% | {% hint style="warning" %} **Don't use payouts as a currency exchange.** On a $400 payout the FX fee alone is $12, more than ten times the ACH charge. Take the payout in your local currency where that option exists. PayNow earns nothing from payout fees or FX; we flag this so you keep more of your money. {% endhint %} ## Tax documents Requirements depend on where you are. US recipients receive a **1099-K** at year end, whether you sell as an individual or through a company. Make sure everything you supply about yourself or your business is accurate; withdrawals stay unavailable until payout setup is fully complete.