fix: partner docs for Wise payouts, tax form, $20 minimum, username rules and Your account

content/blog/how-to-start-saas-affiliate-program.mdx

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: "How to Start an Affiliate Program for Your SaaS (Step-by-Step Guide 2026)"
 description: "Six steps take you from no program to your first partner payout: commission, software, tracking, recruiting, payout terms, and what to measure — with 2026 benchmarks and pricing verified July 2026."
 date: '2026-07-05'
-updated: '2026-07-05'
+updated: '2026-10-17'
 category: Guide
 image: /blog/covers/how-to-start-saas-affiliate-program.png
 authors: ["Son Piaz, Founder"]
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ Match the hold period to your refund window before launch. It is the one payout
 
 **Refund clawbacks.** When a payment is refunded or disputed, the commission should reverse automatically. Affitor does this out of the box, with every state change kept in an audit trail. Whatever tool you choose, confirm this behavior before you buy, because manual clawbacks are the kind of chore that stops happening after month two.
 
-**Payout thresholds.** A minimum balance before withdrawal keeps you from processing five-dollar payouts. Once a partner crosses your threshold, Affitor pays out by bank transfer, PayPal, Stripe, or Wise.
+**Payout thresholds.** A minimum balance before withdrawal keeps you from processing five-dollar payouts. On Affitor the minimum withdrawal is $20 for every program, and Affitor pays partners through Wise or by bank transfer.
 
 The mechanics are documented in [commission approval and cash flow](/docs/brand/quickstart/commission-approval-cash-flow) and [payouts](/docs/brand/quickstart/payouts); rate and hold configuration lives in [define commission](/docs/brand/quickstart/define-commission).
 

content/docs/brand/quickstart/payouts.mdx

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: Payouts
 description: How partner commissions move through Affitor's payout workflow.
 kind: concept
-last_updated: 2026-10-14
+last_updated: 2026-10-17
 ---
 
 When a commission clears its hold period, it is credited to the partner's balance. Once you pay the invoice that covers it, the partner can request a withdrawal, and Affitor approves and sends it. This page explains the lifecycle, payout methods, and your role as advertiser.
@@ -49,22 +49,22 @@ At a high level:
 2. A commission is created.
 3. The commission waits out the program's hold period. You can approve, reject, or extend the hold on it from the **Commissions** page.
 4. When approved, the commission is added to the partner's balance. It becomes withdrawable once you pay the invoice that covers it.
-5. The partner requests a withdrawal; Affitor approves it and sends the transfer.
+5. The partner requests a withdrawal; Affitor approves it and sends the transfer through Wise.
 
 You do not need to manage individual partner transfers yourself.
 
 ---
 
 ## Payout Methods
 
-Partners can withdraw by one of two methods:
+Affitor pays partners through Wise. A partner can be paid to:
 
 | Method | Notes |
 |--------|-------|
-| Bank transfer | Common partner payout path |
-| Wise | Used where supported |
+| Wise | The partner's Wise account email |
+| Bank transfer | ACH in the US, BIC/SWIFT elsewhere, in the partner's legal name |
 
-Partners manage their payout details inside the payout workflow; advertisers do not need to collect bank details directly.
+Before a first withdrawal, each partner adds a legal name, a payout method and a tax form (W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-9) in their own account. You do not collect bank details or tax forms, and you never see a partner's tax form. The minimum withdrawal is $20.
 
 ---
 

content/docs/partners/account-settings.mdx

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: "Account and Payout Settings"
 description: "Manage your profile, security, and the payout details that decide how you get paid."
 kind: guide
-last_updated: 2026-10-16
+last_updated: 2026-10-17
 ---
 
 Your account settings hold two things that matter: how brands see you, and how your money reaches you. This page walks through both so nothing blocks a payout when you've earned one.
@@ -18,37 +18,40 @@ Your account settings hold two things that matter: how brands see you, and how y
 
 ## Profile
 
-Your profile is what a brand sees when they review your application. Open **Settings** (from the menu at the top of the left rail, or **Profile** in your account menu), then **Account**:
+Your profile is what a brand sees when they review your application. Open the **⋯** menu on your profile row at the bottom of the left rail and choose **Your account**. It opens on **Profile**:
 
-- **Upload image** and **Full name**: the identity shown to brands. A real name and photo help your applications get approved.
-- **Email**: your sign-in email, shown read-only.
-- **Username**: your Refer a brand link, `affitor.com/r/<username>` (see below).
-- **Country**, **Website** and your **YouTube**, **X (Twitter)**, **Instagram**, **TikTok** and **LinkedIn** links: where you promote. Brands running manual review use these to decide.
+- **Avatar**: the photo shown to brands and partners you work with.
+- **Your details**: **Full name**, **Email** (your sign-in email, shown read-only), **Username** (your Refer a brand link, `affitor.com/r/<username>`, see below) and **Country**. **Save** saves this card.
+- **Website and social links**: your **Website** and your **YouTube**, **X (Twitter)**, **Instagram**, **TikTok** and **LinkedIn** links, where you promote. Brands running manual review use these to decide. This card has its own **Save**.
 
-**Save changes** saves the whole page, the username included.
+A real name and photo help your applications get approved.
 
 A complete profile is the single cheapest way to raise your approval rate: brands approve partners they can size up.
 
 ### Username
 
-Your username makes your Refer a brand link `affitor.com/r/<username>`. Use 3-48 lowercase letters, numbers and single dashes; the field checks right away whether the name is free and can suggest one. Your first username is free, then you can change it 3 times. Old links keep working for you: every username you saved, and your original code, still credit you.
+Your username makes your Refer a brand link `affitor.com/r/<username>`. It is 3 to 30 characters: lowercase letters, numbers and single hyphens. The field checks right away whether the name is free and can suggest one. Usernames are unique and share one namespace with brands' program URLs: when a name is taken, Affitor suggests others such as `name-hq`, `get-name` or `try-name`.
+
+- **Changing it**: your first username is free, then you can change it once every 14 days.
+- **Your old name**: when you change your username, the old link stops crediting you at once. The old name stays reserved for you for 14 days, then anyone can take it.
+- **Not affected**: your partner link codes (`?via=` or `?aff=` on program links) never change when you rename. Older usernames you replaced before this rule started still credit you.
 
 ## Security
 
-Under **Settings** → **Security**, change your password with **Current password**, **New password** and **Confirm new password**, then **Update password**. Changing it signs you out everywhere else. If you signed up with Google, **Set a password** lets you also sign in with your email address.
+Under **Your account** → **Login and security**, change your password with **Current password**, **New password** and **Confirm new password**, then **Update password**. Changing it signs you out everywhere else. If you signed up with Google, **Set a password** lets you also sign in with your email address.
 
 ## Payout details
 
-This is the part that blocks money if it's missing. Before your first withdrawal, add a payout method under **Settings** → **Payout** (see [Getting paid](/docs/partners/payouts) for the full flow):
+This is the part that blocks money if it's missing. Before your first withdrawal, finish **Get ready to be paid** under **Your account** → **Payouts**: your legal name, a payout method and a tax form (W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-9). See [Getting paid](/docs/partners/payouts) for each step.
 
-- **Payout method**: where Affitor sends your earnings when you withdraw. **Add payout method** adds one; **⋯** → **Edit** or **Remove** changes a saved one. Enter the details accurately: a typo in a payout address is the most common reason a withdrawal fails.
+- **Payout method**: where Affitor sends your earnings when you withdraw: Wise or a bank account. **Add payout method** adds one; **⋯** → **Edit** or **Remove** changes a saved one. Enter the details accurately: a typo in a payout address is the most common reason a withdrawal fails. PayPal is no longer supported: a PayPal method you saved before still shows, and you can remove it.
 - **Invoice details**: **Business name**, **Address** and **Postal code**, added to your payout invoices.
 
 ## Verify it worked
 
 <VerifySuccess
-  dashboard={["Your profile shows your full name and photo, and a brand reviewing your application sees the same", "Settings › Payout lists your payout method instead of \"No payout method yet\""]}
-  ifNotWorking={["If a withdrawal is blocked, open Settings › Payout and check that a payout method is saved, and that the amount is within your available balance. Pending withdrawals and commissions still awaiting the brand's payment are not available yet"]}
+  dashboard={["Your profile shows your full name and photo, and a brand reviewing your application sees the same", "Your account › Payouts shows Ready on Get ready to be paid"]}
+  ifNotWorking={["If a withdrawal is blocked, open Your account › Payouts and finish what Get ready to be paid lists, and check that the amount is within your available balance. Pending withdrawals and commissions still awaiting the brand's payment are not available yet"]}
 />
 
 ## Next steps

content/docs/partners/dashboard.mdx

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: "Your Partner Dashboard"
 description: "Where to find your programs, each program's numbers and links, your Refer a brand referrals, messages, and your payouts."
 kind: reference
-last_updated: 2026-10-16
+last_updated: 2026-10-17
 ---
 
 The partner dashboard has four sections in the left menu: **Programs**, **Marketplace**, **Referrals** and **Payout**. **Messages** is the message icon in the top bar (a menu row on phones). This page shows what each one holds.
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ The **Marketplace** lists the programs you can join. Each card has **Apply**, or
 
 **Payout** shows your balance and **Payout history**, and **Withdraw** opens the withdrawal. It's covered next.
 
-## Settings
+## Your account
 
-Open the menu at the top of the left rail and choose **Settings**, or open **Profile** from your account menu. See [Account and payout settings](/docs/partners/account-settings).
+Your profile row sits at the bottom of the left rail. Its **⋯** menu has **Your account**, with **Profile**, **Login and security** and **Payouts**. See [Account and payout settings](/docs/partners/account-settings).
 
 <NextStep title="Getting paid" description="Set up a payout method and withdraw your earnings." href="/docs/partners/payouts" />

content/docs/partners/faq.mdx

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: "Partner FAQ"
 description: "Common questions about joining programs, referral links, tracking, and getting paid."
 kind: faq
-last_updated: 2026-10-16
+last_updated: 2026-10-17
 ---
 
 ## Getting started
@@ -33,13 +33,16 @@ Your link carries a unique code, as `?via=`, `?aff=` or `/r/` depending on the b
 ## Getting paid
 
 ### How do I get paid?
-Add a payout method under **Settings** → **Payout**, then withdraw from the **Payout** page when you have an available balance. See [Getting paid](/docs/partners/payouts).
+Finish **Get ready to be paid** under **Your account** → **Payouts** (legal name, payout method and tax form), then withdraw from the **Payout** page when you have an available balance. See [Getting paid](/docs/partners/payouts).
 
 ### What payout methods can I use?
-Bank transfer (ACH in the US, BIC/SWIFT internationally) or Wise, depending on your country and currency.
+Wise, or a bank transfer (ACH in the US, BIC/SWIFT internationally), depending on your country and currency. PayPal is not supported.
+
+### Do I need a tax form?
+Yes, every partner signs one before the first withdrawal: W-8BEN (a person) or W-8BEN-E (a business) if you are not a US citizen or US tax resident, otherwise a W-9 that Affitor's accountant emails you to sign.
 
 ### Is there a minimum payout?
-Yes, $10. You can withdraw any amount from $10 up to your available balance.
+Yes, $20. You can withdraw any amount from $20 up to your available balance.
 
 ### How long do payouts take?
 After a withdrawal is reviewed and marked sent, the time for the funds to arrive depends on your bank or Wise.

content/docs/partners/payouts.mdx

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: "Getting Paid"
 description: "How commissions turn into a payout: balances, payout methods, withdrawal, and timing."
 kind: guide
-last_updated: 2026-10-16
+last_updated: 2026-10-17
 ---
 
 This page covers the money: how your commission becomes a balance, how to set up a payout method, and how to withdraw.
@@ -17,9 +17,17 @@ The **Payout** page shows three numbers:
 
 An approved commission is added to your balance, but you can withdraw it only once the brand has paid the invoice that covers it. Until then it shows on its own line, **Awaiting brand payment**, below **Ready to withdraw**. Commissions approved before October 9, 2026, 00:00 Pacific time (07:00 UTC) became withdrawable on approval.
 
-## 1. Set up a payout method
+## 1. Get ready to be paid
 
-Before you can withdraw, add a payout method under **Settings** → **Payout** with **Add payout method**. Pick the **Recipient country**, **Recipient currency** and **Type**, then enter the account details.
+Affitor pays partners through Wise. Before your first withdrawal, open **Your account** → **Payouts** (from the **⋯** menu on your profile row at the bottom of the left rail). The **Get ready to be paid** card lists what is still missing:
+
+1. **Legal name**: **Add legal name**, as on your bank account and ID. It goes on your tax form and payout records and is not shown to brands.
+2. **Payout method**: **Add payout method**, then pick the **Recipient country**, **Recipient currency** and **Type**, and enter the account details. For **Wise**, enter your **Wise account email**: Affitor sends USD, and Wise converts it if you hold another currency. A bank account must be in your legal name.
+3. **Tax form**: **Fill in** and answer **Are you a US citizen or US tax resident?**
+   - **No**: choose **A person · W-8BEN** or **A business · W-8BEN-E**, fill in your country of tax residence, address and the other fields, check the certification and sign. The form is valid for 3 calendar years, and you are reminded before it expires.
+   - **Yes**: select **Declare W-9**. Affitor's accountant emails you a W-9 to sign, and payouts start once it is received. Affitor never asks for your SSN or EIN.
+
+If your email is not verified yet, the card shows **Verify your email** first. When everything is done, the card shows **Ready**. Brands never see your tax form.
 
 Available methods depend on your country and currency:
 
@@ -32,23 +40,23 @@ Available methods depend on your country and currency:
 
 ## 2. Withdraw
 
-Select **Withdraw** on the **Payout** page (or under **Earnings** on **Referrals**). It is turned off while less than $10 is ready. The withdrawal has three steps:
+Select **Withdraw** on the **Payout** page (or under **Earnings** on **Referrals**). On the **Payout** page it is turned off while less than $20 is ready. The withdrawal has three steps:
 
 1. **Amount**: enter how much to withdraw. **To** shows your payout method (**Change** appears when you have more than one), and **Estimated fees** shows any processing fee
 2. **Review**: check the details under **Confirm your withdrawal**, then select **Confirm** to submit it
 3. **Pay**: the confirmation, with the net amount and fees
 
-With no payout method yet, the Amount step says so and **Go to Settings** opens **Settings** → **Payout**.
+If payout setup is not finished, the page says "Finish payout setup first" with what is missing, and **Go to Payouts** opens **Your account** → **Payouts**.
 
 :::note
 
-A processing fee may apply depending on the method; the exact amount is shown before you confirm. The minimum withdrawal is $10, and you can withdraw any amount from $10 up to your available balance.
+A processing fee may apply depending on the method; the exact amount is shown before you confirm. The minimum withdrawal is $20, and you can withdraw any amount from $20 up to your available balance.
 
 :::
 
 ## 3. When you get paid
 
-After you submit a withdrawal, the Affitor team reviews it and marks it as sent. Once it's sent, how long the funds take to reach your account depends on your bank or Wise. You can follow the status (pending, processing, completed) in **Payout history** on the **Payout** page. Search it, filter by status or type, and **Export** it as CSV; **⋯** → **View details** opens **Transaction details** with the timeline of that payout or commission.
+After you submit a withdrawal, the Affitor team reviews it, sends it through Wise and marks it as sent. Once it's sent, how long the funds take to reach your account depends on your bank or Wise. You can follow the status (pending, processing, completed) in **Payout history** on the **Payout** page. Search it, filter by status or type, and **Export** it as CSV; **⋯** → **View details** opens **Transaction details** with the timeline of that payout or commission.
 
 ## After a refund
 

content/docs/partners/quickstart/create-account.mdx

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: "Create Your Partner Account"
 description: "Sign up, verify your email, choose Join programs, and finish the three-step partner setup."
 kind: quickstart
-last_updated: 2026-10-16
+last_updated: 2026-10-17
 ---
 
 Your partner account is free and takes a few minutes to create. Two steps are easy to miss: **verifying your email** and **choosing Join programs**.
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ If you started by applying to a program, signing in takes you back to that progr
 Setup has three steps and opens right after you choose Join programs. You can leave with **Save and exit** at any point. Setup opens by itself once. After that, partner home shows a **Finish setup** card with how many steps are done and a **Continue:** button naming the next one.
 
 1. **Your profile**: your name, prefilled from sign-up, and an optional photo (an existing account photo shows when there is one). Your partner code is shown here; programs see it on your links and it does not change.
-2. **Get paid**: add a payout method available for your country and currency: Wise or a bank account (ACH or SWIFT). **Skip for now** is fine: you are asked again before your first withdrawal.
+2. **Get paid**: add a payout method available for your country and currency: Wise or a bank account (ACH or SWIFT). **Skip for now** is fine: before your first withdrawal you also add your legal name and a tax form under **Your account** → **Payouts** (see [Getting paid](/docs/partners/payouts)).
 3. **Pick your first program**: find a program on the Marketplace and apply from its page.
 
 Invited by a brand? After you accept the invitation, **Finish your profile** opens the same setup.