FAQs
You can use Stripe to sell a product if you have not established a separate business entity to do so. Stripe supports the following alternative business types that you can choose from when signing up: Sole proprietorship: If you do not have a separate entity and operate by yourself.
Can I have a Stripe account without a business? ›
Can I use Stripe as an Individual (not a company)? Yes, Stripe is built for all kinds of businesses, which includes individuals who may not have a company in their name. When you activate your account, you should select that you are a Individual/Sole proprietor.
Do you need a business website to use Stripe? ›
To start using Stripe, you must provide a URL for any website, social media profile, or mobile application you use to promote your business or sell products. If you submit a social media profile, please provide the full URL (for example facebook.com/profile/yourbusiness) and not just the social media handle.
Do you need separate Stripe accounts? ›
Stripe requires you to have a separate account for each legal entity. Businesses might need to create different legal entities to accommodate international operations, set up financial isolation for different business units, or handle acquisitions.
What are the business requirements for Stripe? ›
To have a US Stripe account, you must be incorporated in the US and have a valid physical US address. Stripe will verify your legal entity name, entity type, EIN, and business address on your articles of incorporation or other documents. P.O. Box addresses are not accepted.
Do you need an LLC to sell on Stripe? ›
You can use Stripe to sell a product if you have not established a separate business entity to do so. Stripe supports the following alternative business types that you can choose from when signing up: Sole proprietorship: If you do not have a separate entity and operate by yourself.
Can Stripe be used for personal account? ›
While Stripe's account creation language is business-centric in some cases, Stripe is equally easy to set up and use for personal or non-profit events. Regardless of your event type, you will still need to complete the 'Account Application' to accept and process payments of any kind.
Can you use Stripe without an EIN? ›
Signing up as a sole proprietor without employer ID number : Stripe: Help & Support. If you are a sole proprietor and do not have a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), or if you would rather use your social security number instead, you can skip the EIN field in the account onboarding form altogether.
Does Stripe report to IRS? ›
Stripe sends 1099-K forms when your activities on the platform exceed certain IRS thresholds. For tax year 2023 and those before, you'd get a 1099-K if you earned more than $20,000 and completed at least 200 transactions on a payment platform. However, those thresholds are now changing.
Do I need a merchant account with Stripe? ›
To get started with Stripe, businesses need to create a Stripe account. For businesses that already use Stripe for payment processing, Stripe automatically provides merchant account functionality, which eliminates the need for businesses to apply for a separate merchant account with a bank.
- Choose an account type.
- Express connected accounts.
- Standard connected accounts.
- Custom connected accounts.
What is better than Stripe? ›
Square: Best overall Stripe alternative. Shopify Payments: Best for Shopify websites. Helcim: Best for interchange pricing. PayPal: Best for easy integration.
Why does Stripe need a business website? ›
Why does Stripe need my business website? If you use a website, social media profile or mobile app to promote your business or sell products, Stripe needs to review it to understand your business and verify what you are selling in order to comply with financial regulations.
What if I don't have a business address for Stripe? ›
Provide a website or social media profile for your business. While this is optional, it helps us process your company more quickly. If you don't have an official company address yet, you can use a virtual or home address.
Should I use Stripe for my small business? ›
Is Stripe good for small businesses? Yes, but primarily for small businesses that do most of their sales online. It's also a better choice for small businesses with an in-house web developer who can handle an in-depth setup.
Can anyone open a Stripe account? ›
In order to open a Stripe account, you'll need to have the following, in any country Stripe currently supports: List of supported countries: https://stripe.com/global. A bank account in that country denominated in a supported transfer currency for that country.
Do I need an EIN for a Stripe account? ›
Stripe requires a verifiable Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) to use their services; individuals without an EIN are generally able to use their SSN instead. You must enter a verifiable tax ID number (Employer Identification Number or Social Security Number) in order to use Stripe.
Is Stripe business account free? ›
Stripe is free to set up and the company does not charge a monthly or annual fee for its services. Instead, all Stripe fees are per transaction with transparent pricing. Online sales cost businesses 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction.