¶ FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

For Staff

How do I get paid?

Tips go directly to your Stripe Express account — the account you set up during onboarding. Stripe transfers the funds to your bank on their standard schedule. TipLobby never holds your money.

What is the platform fee?

For every tip you receive, TipLobby deducts $1.00 flat plus 2% of the tip amount as a platform fee. This fee covers TipLobby's platform operations and payment infrastructure. On a $50 tip, that's $2.00 — you receive $48.00.

When will funds appear in my bank account?

Typically 2 business days after a tip is received, per Stripe's standard payout schedule. Stripe may occasionally hold funds in accordance with their own policies.

Do I need to pay taxes on tips?

Tips received through TipLobby may be taxable income. You're responsible for your own tax obligations. If your total receipts in a calendar year meet IRS reporting thresholds, Stripe will issue a 1099-K on TipLobby's behalf.

What happens to my account if I leave the building?

Your account manager can remove you from the building's listing. Any tips already in your Stripe Express account will still pay out on Stripe's normal schedule — removal doesn't affect pending funds.

Can I opt out of being listed?

Yes. You can remove yourself anytime by logging in and navigating to the building page. Scroll to the bottom and hit “Remove myself from this building” — you'll be taken off the tip page immediately and stop receiving new tips from residents there. Any tips already processed by Stripe will remain yours. Your Stripe account and tip history aren't affected.

If you change your mind, ask your account manager to re-invite you.

Is my personal information (SSN, bank details) safe?

Your identity information is submitted directly to Stripe during onboarding — TipLobby never sees or stores it. Stripe is a PCI-compliant payment processor that handles KYC verification for millions of businesses.

For Building Management

How do I add staff members to TipLobby?

From your account manager dashboard, invite staff by email. They'll receive an onboarding link to create their Stripe Express account. Once they complete onboarding, they're automatically listed at your building.

How do I remove someone who has left?

Remove them from your building's staff list in the dashboard. Their Stripe Express account remains theirs — any pending tips will still pay out to them. They simply won't appear to new tippers after removal.

What does TipLobby cost the building?

TipLobby is free to your building. Easy, secure, and free.

Can I see tip history for my building?

Your dashboard shows aggregate tip activity — total tip count, unique tippers, and a daily trend chart. Individual tip amounts and per-staff breakdowns are not visible to building managers; staff can see their own earnings in their personal dashboard.

How does the QR code work — can we replace it?

Each building gets a unique QR code that links residents to your building's tipping page. The code is permanent and tied to your building — losing a printed copy is fine, you can reprint it. Contact support if you need a new format or size.

What if a resident has a payment dispute?

Contact support@tiplobby.com with the resident's tip date and approximate amount. We'll investigate with Stripe and follow up directly.

For Residents

Is this legitimate — does my building endorse this?

TipLobby is set up by your building's account manager, who has invited the staff members you see listed. Tips flow directly to staff via Stripe — not through the building's finances. If you're unsure, ask your building management.

Is my card information stored?

No. All card processing is handled by Stripe. TipLobby never sees or stores your card number, CVV, or billing details.

Can I tip anonymously?

Yes. During checkout you'll be asked for your name and apartment — but there's a “Stay Anonymous” option if you'd prefer not to share. Either way, staff see the tip amount; whether they see your name is up to you.

Do I have to tip everyone, or can I choose?

You choose. You can tip one person, a few, or everyone — and set a different amount for each. There's no requirement to tip anyone you don't want to.

What does the "processing fee" on checkout cover?

It's Stripe's standard card processing fee (2.9% + $0.30), charged on top of your tip total. It covers the cost of securely processing your card payment. This fee goes to Stripe, not to TipLobby or staff.

Can I get a refund?

Tips are generally non-refundable once processed, as funds are transferred to staff. If you believe there was an error, contact support@tiplobby.com and we'll review it.

For Referrers

How does the referral program work?

You get a unique referral link. Share it with anyone who manages a residential building. When a building signs up through your link and tips start flowing, you earn a cash bonus — paid as tips accumulate at that building.

How much do I earn per referral?

$400 per building, paid in two installments: $200 when the building reaches $5,000 in tips processed, and another $200 at $10,000. If someone referred you to TipLobby, they earn a one-time $100 bonus when your first referred building hits $5,000 — that's the extent of their earnings on your activity.

When and how do I get paid?

Referral bonuses are paid via Stripe Express — the same way staff receive tips. You'll need to complete a brief Stripe onboarding if you haven't already. Payments are triggered automatically when a milestone is hit.

What counts as a qualified referral?

A building that signs up through your unique referral link, completes onboarding, and has at least one staff member receiving tips.

How do milestones work?

Each building you refer has its own two-milestone track. Milestone 1 is $5,000 in total tips processed at that building (you earn $200). Milestone 2 is $10,000 cumulative (you earn another $200). Milestones are per-building — a busy building can hit both; a quieter one may earn less.