How do I accept online payments with FreshBooks Payments powered by Stripe?

FreshBooks Payments powered by Stripe is one of our many online payment processors, also known as payment gateways, to allow businesses in Canada and the United States to receive online payments. Online payments using FreshBooks Payments can be accepted with all major debit cards, credit cards, and bank transfers (ACH) from clients in over 190 countries and 135+ currencies. 
 
FreshBooks Payments powered by Stripe is only available for businesses in Canada and the United States. International businesses can use Stripe Standard instead.
 
For information on migrating your WePay or Stripe Standard account to FreshBooks Payments powered by Stripe, review How do I migrate to FreshBooks Payments powered by Stripe? instead.
 
 

FreshBooks Payments Details

 

Set Up FreshBooks Payments

Before you set up FreshBooks Payments, make sure you have the following information ready:
  • Business background and contact details - Industry, job title, business website or social media
  • Business controller and owner details - Address, phone number, date of birth, last 4 digits of Social Security Number (SSN) or Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • Bank account details
    • Canadian businesses - Institution number, transit number, account number
    • US businesses - Your online banking’s login information
 
Set up your FreshBooks Payments account in your Online Payments settings with the below steps:
  1. Ensure you have a country selected in your Basic Information settings first
  2. Go directly to Online Payments here, or select the Settings section
  3. Under Connections and Integrations, select Online Payments
  4. Next, select Get Started with Online Payments
    FreshBooks Payments with get started button to begin setup.

  5. The email address associated with your FreshBooks account will be pre-populated, enter in a new Password for your new FreshBooks Payments powered by Stripe account and select Next
    1. Enter a Phone Number, then select Send text
      1. Or if needed, select the authenticator app link to use an authenticator app
      2. Or if needed, select the security key text to use a security key
    2. If asked to verify with a verification link via email, the verification link must be copied and pasted in the same browser window as the one FreshBooks Payments is being set up in
    3. Then enter the Code from your device or authenticator app, or use the security key
    4. Next, save your emergency backup code by selecting Download code or Copy Code and store it somewhere safe
    5. Select Next
  6. Choose your Type of Business, then select Continue
    Type of business section with dropdown to choose type.
  7. For personal details, enter your First Name and Last Name as specified on your government-issued ID or with government agencies like the IRS or CRA
    1. Then enter your Email Address, Job Title, Date of Birth, Home Address, and Phone Number
    2. For US-based businesses, enter the Last 4 Digits of your Social Security Number
    3. Then select Continue
  8. For business details, if available, enter a Tax Number
    1. Next, choose an Industry
      Business details section with fields to fill out.
    2. Then enter a Website that shows your business' online presence, like an online store or social media account
      1. If you don’t have an eligible website that can be submitted, contact Stripe
    3. Next, include a Product Description of what products or services your business sells
    4. Select Continue
  9. For your bank information, either login to your bank account online and choose an account, or enter your bank account's details manually and select Continue
  10. For your public details, specify a Statement Descriptor and Shortened Descriptor that will appear on your clients' statements
    Public details section with preview of statement descriptors.
    1. Next, review or enter a Customer Support Number, and if available, a Customer Support Address
    2. Then select Continue
  11. In the review section, ensure your information is correct, then select Agree and Submit. You'll be taken back to FreshBooks.
FreshBooks will review your submission and notify you by email if your application review is approved or if additional documentation is required. 
 
Notes:
  • Once your FreshBooks Payments powered by Stripe account has been set up, review How do I manage my FreshBooks Payments account? for information on your account’s status, payouts, disputes, and more
  • Once your FreshBooks Payments account’s Online Payments status is set to active, you can begin accepting payments on your invoices, recurring templates, and more
  • Your Payouts status must be set to active to receive the payments in your connected bank account
 

Activate FreshBooks Payments on Invoices

Once your FreshBooks Payments account is active, you can begin accepting payments with FreshBooks Payments using the below steps:
  1. When creating an invoice, under Settings, select the Accept Online Payments option
    Accept credit cards button.
  2. Check off the box(es) next to Accept Credit Cards and/or Accept ACH Bank Transfer (available for US businesses and clients only). If both are checked off, your clients can pay by either credit card or bank transfer on this invoice. If only one is checked off, your clients can only pay by the selected option
    Checkboxes next to Accept Credit Cards and Accept ACH Bank Transfers on invoice.
  3. If you want your clients to be able to pay the invoice partially (even with bank transfers or payment schedules activated as well), check off Allow Clients to make partial online payments for this Invoice
    Checkbox to enable partial payments.
  4. Select Done to finish applying the payment settings and continue editing the rest of your invoice.
 
Notes: