Key Takeaways:
- Multiply eligible receipts by the collection percentage—then check for any separate minimum, fixed-payment cap, fees, or balance limit
- The first multiplication does not always tell you the complete amount due
- Always start with the correct sales figure—eligible revenue may differ from bank deposits or accounting revenue
- A ledger prevents surprises—track both what has been collected and what remains due
Start with the Correct Sales Figure
Suppose your contract collects 12% of eligible receipts. For $2,000 in eligible receipts, the calculated collection is $240.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Eligible receipts | $2,000 |
| Collection percentage | 12% |
| Collection | $240 |
Critical Point: This is a repayment calculation, not a measure of profit or financing cost.
Why Starting with Bank Deposits Can Mislead
A processor can deduct fees before transferring money. Your eligible receipts could therefore be larger than the amount arriving at the bank.
| What You See | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Bank deposit | Eligible receipts minus processing fees, reserves, and financing deductions |
| Eligible receipts | The full amount subject to your financing collection |
Action Step: Use the eligible-revenue definition in your agreement—not your bank statement—to calculate collections.
Build a Simple Payment Ledger
Assume:
- $20,000 advance
- $3,000 fixed fee
- 12% collections
- No minimum is due during these four days
| Day | Eligible Receipts | Collection | Remaining Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting balance | — | — | $23,000 |
| 1 | $2,000 | $240 | $22,760 |
| 2 | $500 | $60 | $22,700 |
| 3 | $0 | $0 | $22,700 |
| 4 | $1,500 | $180 | $22,520 |
Verification: $4,000 receipts × 12% = $480. $23,000 - $480 = $22,520.
What This Means For You: An ordinary fixed-total example stops collecting when that obligation is satisfied. Do not continue a spreadsheet's percentage deduction beyond the balance.
Add the Actual Payment Checkpoint
A percentage collection can coexist with a minimum. PayPal's U.S. Working Capital guidance, for example, describes a minimum every 90 days, based on the selected loan terms.
Hypothetical 60-Day Requirement
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Required minimum | $2,000 |
| Eligible collections | $1,350 |
| Qualifying manual payment | $250 |
| Credited payments | $1,600 |
| Shortfall | $400 |
Formula:
Shortfall = max(0, required minimum − eligible credited payments)
Important: If the checkpoint is cumulative, use cumulative payments from the specified start date. If it is periodic, use only credits that the agreement assigns to that period.
Distinguish a Minimum from a Fixed-Payment Cap
| Feature | Definition | Impact on Strong Sales |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | The least you must pay over a specified period | Collections continue beyond the minimum until the obligation is satisfied |
| Fixed-Payment Cap | Collections stop once the specified amount is met for the period | At 12% of $30,000, collections may stop at a periodic amount |
Key Point: Stripe explicitly describes this distinction in its documentation. A forecast that treats both as the same will be wrong.
Do Not Calculate Fee Allocation by Guesswork
A $240 collection reduces the obligation, but it does not automatically mean $240 is a deductible expense or $240 of principal. The provider's ledger and accounting treatment determine allocation.
Track the Total Obligation: The balance table tracks only the total obligation. If monthly fees accrue, add those fees on the dates specified.
Check Your Result Against Actual Records
Reconciliation Checklist:
- Eligible receipts match the agreement's definition
- Agreed percentage was applied correctly
- Credited collections match your records
- Remaining balance matches the provider's statement
- Pending transactions, refunds, and adjustments are accounted for
Investigate Differences:
- Pending transactions
- Refunds
- Rounding
- Manual adjustments
- Multiple sales channels
Next Steps
| If You Need To... | Read This Guide |
|---|---|
| Identify eligible receipts | What Counts as Revenue? |
| Plan for a shortfall | What You Still Owe in a Slow Month |
| Understand total cost | How Much RBF Really Costs |
| Compare offers | Offer Comparison Worksheet |
| Review an offer | Red-Flag Checklist |
Disclaimer: This is an educational guide for U.S. businesses, not legal or financial advice. Your signed agreement governs all calculations. Sources checked September 2026. Numerical examples are hypothetical.