What is Autopay?

Autopay sends affiliate commissions automatically through Stripe when an affiliate reaches your configured payout threshold or scheduled payout date. You connect a bank account, debit card, or credit card for the merchant payment method, and Simple Affiliate sends the affiliate’s full commission while adding the applicable processing fee to your cost.

This helps you avoid handling each eligible payout manually. Set expectations with affiliates that Autopay follows the threshold or schedule configured for your store; it does not reduce their commission. For eligible U.S. affiliates, Simple Affiliate can also facilitate IRS Form 1099-K and 1099-NEC when the applicable volume and IRS thresholds require them.

How Autopay works

1. Open the Autopay setup in Simple Affiliate.
2. Choose a supported payment method.
3. Connect your bank account, debit card, or credit card through Stripe.
4. Configure the payout threshold or schedule for your store.
5. Review the processing fee for your plan and payment method.
6. Save the Autopay configuration.

When an affiliate becomes eligible under your threshold or schedule, Simple Affiliate processes the payout through Stripe. The affiliate receives the full commission amount. The processing fee is charged to you separately and is not taken from the affiliate’s commission.

Autopay processing fees

The fee depends on your Simple Affiliate plan and whether you use a bank or debit method or a credit card. These fees apply to Autopay payouts:

For example, a $100 commission paid through Autopay on the Pro plan with a bank payment method costs the merchant $103.90. The affiliate still receives the complete $100 commission.

For more worked examples, see https://help.simple-affiliate.com/en/articles/6326866-auto-pay-overview-processing-fees.

Manual payouts and plan differences

• Starter, Basic, and Pro: Autopay processing fees are 3.9% for bank or debit payments and 8.9% for credit-card payments.
• Premium: Autopay processing fees are lower, and manual payouts have no Simple Affiliate processing fee.

PayPal and store credit payouts have no Simple Affiliate processing fee on every plan. Manual payouts on Premium also do not incur a Simple Affiliate processing fee. Manual payouts are not automatic; you remain responsible for completing those payouts.

Tax forms and merchant responsibilities

For eligible U.S. affiliates receiving Autopay payouts, Simple Affiliate can facilitate Form 1099-K and Form 1099-NEC when volume and IRS thresholds require them. Affiliates can access issued forms from their affiliate dashboard.

Tax-form support does not replace your responsibilities as a merchant. You remain responsible for your own tax compliance and for providing accurate business and payout information.

What happens next

After Autopay is connected and configured, monitor the payout status and your connected payment method. Explain your threshold or schedule and the commission rules to affiliates so they know when to expect a payout. If you disconnect the payment method or stop using Autopay, future payouts must follow the payout method available in your Simple Affiliate setup; Simple Affiliate does not infer a replacement payment method or payout schedule.