Stripe Connect Setup

Before you can receive payments as a tutor, you need to set up a Stripe Connect account. This one-time setup takes about 10 minutes.

What is Stripe Connect?

Stripe Connect enables:

• Direct bank transfers (payouts)
• Secure payment processing
• Tax reporting (1099-K forms)
• Compliance with financial regulations
• Fraud protection

Why Stripe:

• Industry standard (used by Lyft, Shopify, DoorDash)
• PCI-compliant and secure
• Available in 40+ countries
• Fast, reliable payouts

Before You Start

Gather these items:

Personal Information:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Home address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Last 4 digits of SSN (US) or Tax ID

Business Information (if applicable):

• Business name
• Business type (sole proprietor, LLC, etc.)
• EIN (Employer Identification Number)

Bank Account:

• Bank name
• Routing number (9 digits, US)
• Account number
• Account type (checking or savings)

Verification:

• Government-issued ID (driver's license, passport)
• Proof of address (optional, may be requested)

Setup Process

Step 1: Start Connect Onboarding

Step 2: Create or Link Stripe Account

Two options:

Option A: Create New Stripe Account

• Enter email and create password
• Verify email address
• Proceed to information collection

Option B: Use Existing Stripe Account

• Log in with existing Stripe credentials
• Link to Sentuent
• Update information if needed

Step 3: Provide Personal Information

Required fields:

• Full legal name (as it appears on tax documents)
• Date of birth
• Home address
• Phone number
• Last 4 of SSN or full SSN
• Email (if not already entered)

Step 4: Business Information

Select your business type:

Individual / Sole Proprietor (most tutors)

• Simplest option
• Use your SSN
• Report on personal tax return
• No separate business entity

LLC, Corporation, Partnership

• Requires EIN
• Business bank account
• More complex tax reporting
• May need business documents

Step 5: Add Bank Account

Enter bank details:

1. Bank name - Select from dropdown or type
2. Routing number - 9-digit number (find on check)
3. Account number - Your account number
4. Account type - Checking or Savings
5. Confirm - Re-enter account number

Where to find routing/account:

• Check (routing = first 9 digits, account = next digits)
• Online banking (Account Details)
• Contact your bank

Step 6: Verify Your Identity

Stripe may request:

• Photo of government ID (front and back)
• Selfie (to match ID photo)
• Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)

Upload process:

1. Take clear photo of ID
2. Make sure all corners visible
3. Text is readable
4. Upload via Stripe interface
5. Verification typically completes in 1-2 hours

Accepted IDs:

• Driver's license
• Passport
• State ID card
• National ID (international)

Step 7: Agree to Terms

Review and accept:

• Stripe Connected Account Agreement
• Sentuent Terms of Service
• Payout terms and fee structure

Key terms to note:

• 5% platform fee
• Weekly payout schedule
• Dispute resolution process
• Refund policies

Step 8: Complete Setup

Final steps:

1. Review all information
2. Click "Submit"
3. Stripe processes your application
4. Receive confirmation email
5. Return to Sentuent

Processing time: Usually immediate, can take up to 24 hours

Verification Process

Identity Verification

Stripe verifies:

• Name and date of birth
• Address
• SSN (US) or Tax ID
• Bank account ownership
• Identity documents

Verification levels:

Level 1: Basic information verified

• Can accept up to $500

Level 2: Full verification complete

• Unlimited earning potential
• Full feature access

Bank Account Verification

Micro-deposit method:

Instant verification (some banks):

• Log in to your bank via Stripe
• Instant connection and verification
• No waiting for micro-deposits

After Setup

Access Stripe Express Dashboard

Your Stripe dashboard:

Settings > Billing > Stripe Dashboard

What you can do:

• View payout history
• Update bank account
• Download tax forms
• Manage disputes
• Update personal information

First Payout

Timeline for first payout:

1. Complete first session
2. Wait 7-day security hold
3. Payout initiated on next Monday
4. Bank transfer (2-5 business days)

Total: ~11-13 days for first payout

Updating Information

When to update:

• Changed bank account
• Moved addresses
• Legal name change
• New phone number

How to update: Settings > Billing > Stripe Dashboard > Edit Information

Troubleshooting Setup

"Verification Pending"

If stuck in verification:

• Check email for Stripe requests
• Upload clearer ID photos
• Provide additional documents if requested
• Contact Stripe support (support@stripe.com)

Common issues:

• Blurry ID photos
• Name mismatch
• Address doesn't match records
• SSN/Tax ID issues

"Bank Account Can't Be Verified"

Solutions:

1. Verify routing/account numbers are correct
2. Ensure account is active
3. Try different account
4. Contact your bank (ensure they accept ACH)
5. Use manual verification (micro-deposits)

"Additional Information Required"

Stripe may request:

• Proof of business registration
• Personal address verification
• Additional ID documents
• Bank statement

Respond promptly - Account limited until provided

International Tutors

Supported Countries

Stripe Connect available in 40+ countries including:

• United States, Canada
• United Kingdom, Ireland
• Australia, New Zealand
• Most EU countries
• Singapore, Hong Kong
• Japan, Mexico
• Brazil, and more

Full list: stripe.com/global

Country-Specific Requirements

Requirements vary by country:

Europe:

• VAT number (if applicable)
• IBAN instead of routing/account
• Additional business verification

UK:

• National Insurance number
• Sort code and account number
• Proof of address

Canada:

• SIN or Business Number
• Institution and transit number
• Void cheque

Australia:

• ABN (Australian Business Number)
• BSB and account number
• Tax File Number

Currency and Payouts

Payout currency:

• Received in your local currency
• USD earnings converted automatically
• Conversion rate set by Stripe
• Minimal conversion fee

Security & Privacy

Data Security

How Stripe protects you:

• Bank account numbers encrypted
• PCI-DSS Level 1 certified
• 2-factor authentication available
• Fraud detection and prevention

What Sentuent sees:

• Last 4 digits of bank account
• Payout status
• NOT full account numbers

Privacy

Stripe Privacy Policy:

• Data used only for payments
• Not sold to third parties
• GDPR compliant (Europe)
• CCPA compliant (California)

Opt-ins:

• Marketing emails (optional)
• Fraud prevention (required)
• Data sharing with Sentuent (required for operation)

Fees

Stripe Fees

Included in platform fee:

• Payment processing: ~2.9% + $0.30
• Payouts: Covered by Sentuent
• Currency conversion (if applicable)

Additional fees:

• Instant Payout: 1.5% (optional)
• Dispute fee: $15 (refunded if you win)

You pay: Nothing extra (all included in 5% platform fee)

Common Questions

Do I need a business bank account?

No - Personal bank accounts work fine for most tutors. Business accounts optional.

Can I change my bank account later?

Yes - Update anytime in Stripe Dashboard. New account requires verification.

What if I don't have a US bank account?

Use local bank - Stripe supports local bank accounts in 40+ countries.

Is my information safe?

Yes - Stripe is PCI-compliant and uses bank-level encryption.

How long does verification take?

Usually instant - Can take up to 24 hours. Additional verification may add 1-2 business days.

Can I use the same Stripe account for multiple platforms?

Yes - One Stripe account works across multiple platforms (Uber, Sentuent, etc.)

Need Help?

Setup issues:

• Email: support@sentuent.com
• Include error messages/screenshots

Stripe-specific questions:

• Stripe Support: support.stripe.com
• Stripe Phone: 1-888-926-2289

Verification problems:

• Check Stripe Dashboard for specific requests
• Respond to Stripe emails promptly
• Provide clear document photos