Get paid: payouts and taxes
Stage 2 chapter 4 introduced the pending → approved → paid lifecycle of a single earning record. This chapter zooms out: how the bulk of approved earnings turns into money in your bank account, and what tax documents you'll receive.
Disclaimer up front: this is general information about how the platform reports payouts. It is not tax advice. Tax obligations vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified professional for anything beyond the basics.
Payout rail
Zyra pays device owners through Stripe Connect — verified in backend/app/services/stripe/connect.py. You set the rail up in Stage 1 chapter 4. It handles identity verification (KYC), bank/debit-card linking, and the actual transfer.
ACH transfer to a US bank is the default. Stripe Connect also supports international bank transfers and debit-card payouts in supported countries [VERIFY: full payout-method matrix at GA — depends on Stripe Connect country availability].
Payout threshold
You must accumulate above a minimum approved-earnings balance before a payout fires:
- Minimum payout: $10 [VERIFY: confirm threshold at GA — backend test
test_minimum_payout_thresholdreferences this number; payouts service not yet implemented as a dedicated module]
Below the threshold, approved earnings sit in your balance and roll forward.
Payout schedule
Two modes:
- Automatic weekly. Every Monday [VERIFY: day-of-week at GA], the previous week's approved earnings above the threshold are sent. Default on.
- Manual on-demand. Click Payouts → Pay out now whenever your balance is above the threshold. Useful for end-of-month timing or savings transfers.
Funds typically arrive in your bank account 1-3 business days after the payout fires. Stripe Connect runs the rails — Zyra hands off the moment the payout is created.
The first payout takes longer
Stripe runs full identity verification on the first transfer (KYC, document checks). Expect 5-7 business days for payout #1 to land. Subsequent payouts are 1-3 days.
What about taxes — US
If you're a US person and earnings cross the IRS threshold for the year, Stripe issues a Form 1099-K (third-party network transactions) on Zyra's behalf. Threshold for tax year 2026 [VERIFY: IRS may revise — historically $20,000 + 200 transactions, lowered to $600, raised again; check IRS.gov].
Form is downloadable from Settings → Tax documents in January for the prior tax year. Stripe also mails a paper copy if your account has a US mailing address.
What about taxes — EU
EU member states require platform reporting under DAC7 when an earner crosses the threshold. The threshold is EUR 2,000 or 30 transactions per year [VERIFY: DAC7 thresholds and which states Stripe Connect covers at GA]. Zyra reports earnings to your country's tax authority; you'll see a parallel statement in Settings → Tax documents.
What about taxes — UK
HMRC requires platform reporting under the OECD Model Rules for Digital Platforms (adopted by the UK). Threshold and form details [VERIFY: HMRC implementation rules at GA].
What about taxes — everywhere else
If your country isn't in the tables above, you're responsible for declaring earnings on your normal annual return. Stripe Connect provides a year-end earnings summary you can hand to your accountant.
Practical reconciliation tips
- Match payouts to your bank statement monthly. The payout history page shows Stripe transfer IDs you can search for in your bank's reference field.
- Categorize related expenses. Electricity attributable to compute, dedicated hardware purchases, and accountant fees are typically deductible. Keep receipts.
- Don't co-mingle with personal funds if you're earning meaningfully. A separate checking account simplifies year-end accounting dramatically.
What's next
← 4. Device health | 6. Earn from referrals →
Last reviewed: 2026-05-21