Your payout doesn't match your sales. Here's why that's fine.
Fees, refunds, holds, sales tax — the platforms take their share before the money ever reaches your bank. This workbook proves it, payout by payout, so nothing hides in the gap.
What's inside
Two files. Works with Etsy, Shopify, Stripe, Square, PayPal — anything that pays out.
The payout log
When a payout lands, log it. Copy in gross sales, fees, and refunds from the platform's own payout detail. The Expected column does the math; any unexplained difference turns amber until you resolve it.
Monthly check
Totals it all: deposited, expected, unexplained, and how many payouts are still open. Three minutes at month-end instead of a weekend of doubt.
Why payouts shrink
The six reasons every payout is smaller than your sales — processing fees, refunds, chargebacks, holds, sales tax, shipping — each in one plain sentence. Printable one-pager.
The six reasons, in one breath
This is the whole product's core idea — the workbook just makes you prove it to yourself.
Where the money goes before your bank
Honesty first: the platforms already track all of this. This workbook doesn't replace their reports — it makes you the one who can prove the deposit is right, and catch the payout that isn't.
When a difference won't close after fifteen minutes with the payout detail, that's exactly what the free consult is for. Bring one month; we'll find it together.
Questions, plainly answered
The ones people actually ask.
I sell on more than one platform. Does it still work?
Yes — the log has a platform dropdown for Etsy, Shopify, Stripe, Square, PayPal, and Other, so one sheet holds all of them. Many payouts, one truth.
Do I need to download reports from the platforms?
Helpful, not required. The payout detail screen on each platform shows the breakdown you'll copy in — fees, refunds, gross. If you can read a bank deposit, you can run this.
Will this fix my books for taxes?
It keeps your records straight, which is the part you control. Filing and tax decisions stay with your CPA — the workbook's records make their job cheaper.
Pairs well with
The rest of the shelf, if you want it.
Small Biz Books Starter Kit
The Kit's chart of accounts and income tracker are where reconciled payouts belong.
Books Health Check
Wonder how much else is wobbling? Ten questions, three minutes, one honest score.