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Global AccountingGeneral AccountingUpdated: Sep 13, 2026
General Guidance: The principles described for Global Accounting are broadly applicable but should be verified against your specific local tax laws.
Direct Answer
To reconcile gateway fees, record the original sale at the gross amount to a clearing account. When the net payout hits your bank, transfer the net amount from the clearing account to your bank, and book the difference as merchant processing fees.
The Gross vs. Net Problem
When a customer pays a $100 invoice via Stripe, Stripe deducts a $2.90 fee and pays out $97.10. If you just record a $97.10 sale, your revenue is understated and your expenses are missing. This violates the matching principle.
The Clearing Account Solution
- Create a Clearing Account: Set up an asset account named 'Stripe Clearing'.
- Record Gross Sale: When the invoice is paid, Debit 'Stripe Clearing' ($100) and Credit 'Sales' ($100).
- Record the Payout: When the $97.10 hits your bank, Debit 'Bank' ($97.10), Debit 'Merchant Fees' ($2.90), and Credit 'Stripe Clearing' ($100).
By doing this, the clearing account balance drops to zero, and your Profit & Loss statement correctly shows $100 in revenue and $2.90 in fees.