Payments & Invoices
Understanding Payment Terms
Automate America facilitates payments between customers and professionals. Understanding how payment terms work helps you plan your finances and set expectations.
Payment Terms Explained
| Term | Payment Due | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Net-15 | 15 days after invoice | White Glove, premium contracts |
| Net-30 | 30 days after invoice | Standard contracts |
| Net-45 | 45 days after invoice | Enterprise, large projects |
Pro Tip
Check your SSA (Supplemental Service Agreement) to confirm your specific payment terms. White Glove contracts typically offer faster payment processing.
Payment Methods
Automate America supports multiple payment methods for both receiving and sending payments.
For Professionals (Receiving Payments)
- ACH Direct Deposit — Free, 2-3 business days, recommended
- Wire Transfer — $25 fee, same-day (before 2 PM ET)
- Paper Check — $5 fee, 5-7 business days, mailed to address
For Customers (Sending Payments)
- ACH Bank Transfer — Preferred, lowest processing cost
- Credit Card — Accepted, additional processing fees apply
- Wire Transfer — For large or international payments
The Invoice Process
Invoices are automatically generated when your timesheets are approved:
Invoice Generation Flow
- Submit Timesheet — Record your hours worked each week
- Customer Approves — Review takes 1-3 business days
- Invoice Generated — System creates invoice automatically
- Invoice Sent — Customer receives invoice for payment
- Payment Received — Based on payment terms (Net-15/30)
- You Get Paid — Funds deposited via your selected method
What's Included on an Invoice
- Invoice Number — Unique identifier for tracking
- Invoice Date — When the invoice was generated
- Due Date — Based on payment terms
- Regular Hours — Standard hours worked at base rate
- Overtime Hours — Hours at 1.5x or 2x rate
- Per Diem — Daily allowances (if applicable)
- Approved Expenses — Reimbursable items with receipts
- Service Fee — Platform fee (transparent breakdown)
- Net Amount — What you receive
Viewing Your Invoices
Access your invoices at Dashboard → Invoices:
- View invoice details and line items
- Download PDF copies
- Track payment status
- View payment history
Late Payment Policies
What Happens When Payments Are Late
- Day 1 Past Due — Automatic reminder sent to customer
- Day 7 Past Due — Collections team reaches out
- Day 14 Past Due — Escalation to Account Manager
- Day 30 Past Due — Additional collection actions
White Glove Protection
For White Glove contracts, you're protected from late customer payments. Automate America pays you on your regular schedule regardless of when the customer pays.
Important
For Standard contracts, your payment timing depends on the customer. If you experience repeated late payments, contact support to discuss options.
Setting Up Direct Deposit
Initial Setup
- Navigate to Settings → Banking
- Click Add Bank Account
- Enter your banking information:
- Bank name
- Routing number (9 digits)
- Account number
- Account type (checking or savings)
- Verify via micro-deposits (2 small deposits under $1)
- Enter the deposit amounts to confirm
Changing Bank Information
- Go to Settings → Banking
- Click Update Account
- Enter new bank details
- Re-verify with micro-deposits
- Allow 3-5 business days for changes to take effect
Security Note
Your bank information is encrypted using bank-level security (256-bit SSL). We never share your details with customers or third parties except as required for payment processing.
Tax Documents
W-9 Requirements
Before receiving payments, you must provide a completed W-9 form with:
- Legal name (as shown on tax return)
- Business name (if applicable)
- Tax classification (individual, LLC, etc.)
- Address
- Taxpayer ID (SSN or EIN)
1099-NEC Tax Form
At year end, you'll receive a 1099-NEC if you earned $600 or more:
- Available by January 31 each year
- Download from Settings → Tax Documents
- Reports all payments for the calendar year
- Consult a tax professional for filing guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Payment timing depends on your contract terms. Net-15 contracts pay within 15 days of invoice, Net-30 within 30 days. Once the customer pays, funds are deposited to your bank account within 2-3 business days via direct deposit (ACH).
Professionals receive payments via direct deposit (ACH) to a U.S. bank account. Customers can pay invoices via ACH bank transfer, credit card, or wire transfer. International payment options are limited — contact support for specific situations.
Net-15 means payment is due 15 days after the invoice date. Net-30 means payment is due 30 days after. Most contracts use Net-15 or Net-30 terms. The payment terms are specified in your SSA (Supplemental Service Agreement).
Standard overtime is 1.5x your base rate for hours over 40/week. Some states require overtime for hours over 8/day. Double time may apply for hours over 12/day or weekend/holiday work depending on your contract. Always check your SSA for specific overtime policies.
Automate America monitors all payments. If a customer is late, our collections team follows up. For White Glove contracts, you're protected — we pay you on schedule regardless. For Standard contracts, payment depends on customer timing.
Wire transfers provide same-day payment (submitted before 2 PM ET) but incur a $25 fee. Standard ACH deposits are free and arrive in 2-3 business days. Contact your Account Manager about expedited payment options.
A small service fee is deducted from payments to cover platform operations, support services, and payment processing. The exact fee varies by contract type and is transparent in your contract documents. White Glove contracts have higher fees for the additional managed services provided.
Questions about payments?
Contact Payment Support