tractatus/docs/STRIPE_ACCOUNT_NAME_FIX.md

Stripe Account Name vs Bank Account Mismatch - URGENT FIX

Current Problem

Your Stripe Settings:

• Account name: "MySovereignty Digital"
• Opportunity to: "Create organisation"

Your TSB Bank Account:

• Needs verification: What is the EXACT owner name?

Issue: If names don't match exactly, TSB will reject all payouts.

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STEP 1: Check Your TSB Bank Account Owner Name

Do this RIGHT NOW:

Option A: TSB Online Banking

1. Log into https://www.tsb.co.nz/online-banking
2. Go to account details
3. Look for "Account holder" or "Account name"
4. Write down the EXACT name

Option B: Call TSB

1. Phone: 0800 872 000
2. Ask: "What is the exact account holder name on my account?"
3. Write down what they tell you

Option C: Bank Statement

1. Find a recent TSB statement (paper or PDF)
2. Look at the top - account holder name
3. Write down the exact name

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STEP 2: Determine Your Account Type

Based on what you found in Step 1:

Scenario A: Bank Account Shows "John Stroh"

This means: Personal/individual bank account

What to do in Stripe:

• ✅ Keep account type: Individual
• ✅ Change account name to: "John Stroh"
• ✅ Business name (for receipts): "Tractatus AI Safety Framework"
• ❌ DON'T create organization (not needed)

Scenario B: Bank Account Shows "MySovereignty Digital" or "MySovereignty Digital Ltd"

This means: Business bank account

What to do in Stripe:

• ✅ Create organization OR change account type to Company
• ✅ Legal entity name: "MySovereignty Digital" or "MySovereignty Digital Ltd"
• ✅ Account holder name: Must match bank exactly
• ✅ Business name: "Tractatus AI Safety Framework"

Scenario C: Bank Account Shows Something Else

This means: Could be a trust, trading name, or other entity

What to do:

• Write down the EXACT name from bank
• Use that EXACT name in Stripe
• Contact TSB to understand the account type

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STEP 3: Fix Stripe Settings

Based on your TSB account owner name:

If TSB Account = "John Stroh" (MOST LIKELY)

3A. Change Stripe Account Name

1. Go to: https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/account
2. Look for "Account details" or "Business details" section
3. Find "Account holder name" or "Legal name"
4. Change it to: John Stroh
5. Click "Save"

3B. Update Bank Account Payout Name

1. Go to: https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/payouts
2. Click on your TSB bank account
3. Look for "Account holder name" field
4. Change to: John Stroh
5. If you can't edit:
   • Remove existing bank account
   • Add new one with correct name "John Stroh"
   • Verify new account
   • Set as default

3C. Keep Business Name for Customers

1. Go to: https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/public
2. "Public business name": Tractatus AI Safety Framework
3. This appears on customer receipts - it's SEPARATE from payout name

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If TSB Account = "MySovereignty Digital" or Business Entity

3A. Create or Update to Company Account

1. Go to: https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/account
2. Look for "Create organization" or "Account type"
3. Click "Create organization" or change to "Company"
4. Fill in:
   • Legal entity name: MySovereignty Digital (or exact from bank)
   • Business type: Company/LLC/Partnership (as registered)
   • Business number: Your NZ company number (if incorporated)
   • Tax ID: Your IRD number

3B. Verify Bank Account Matches

1. Go to: https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/payouts
2. Bank account holder name should match your business entity
3. If it shows "John Stroh", you need to:
   • Option A: Change Stripe to individual account (John Stroh)
   • Option B: Change TSB account to business name
   • Option C: Use a different bank account that matches

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STEP 4: Verify Everything Matches

Create this checklist and verify:

Item	TSB Bank	Stripe Setting	Match?
Account owner name	________	________	☐ Yes ☐ No
Account type	Personal/Business	Individual/Company	☐ Yes ☐ No
Business name (receipts)	N/A	Tractatus AI Safety Framework	☐ OK

All items MUST match for payouts to work.

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Common Scenarios and Solutions

Scenario 1: Personal Bank Account + Wrong Stripe Name

• TSB account: John Stroh
• Stripe account: MySovereignty Digital ❌
• Fix: Change Stripe to "John Stroh"
• Result: Payouts will work

Scenario 2: Business Bank Account + Personal Stripe

• TSB account: MySovereignty Digital Ltd
• Stripe account: John Stroh (individual) ❌
• Fix: Create Stripe organization, change to company account
• Result: Payouts will work

Scenario 3: Trading Name on Bank

• TSB account: John Stroh trading as MySovereignty Digital
• Stripe account: MySovereignty Digital ❌
• Fix: Use "John Stroh" in Stripe (the legal account owner)
• Result: Payouts will work

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What "Create Organisation" Means in Stripe

When you see "Create organisation" in Stripe, this is for:

Use it when:

• ✅ You have a registered business entity
• ✅ Your bank account is in the business name
• ✅ You want business account features (team access, multiple users)
• ✅ You're operating as a company/LLC

Don't use it when:

• ❌ Your bank account is in your personal name
• ❌ You're operating as a sole trader/individual
• ❌ You just want a business name for receipts (use "Public business name" instead)

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Quick Decision Tree

1. What name is on your TSB bank account?

   A. "John Stroh" (personal)
      → Keep individual Stripe account
      → Change account name to "John Stroh"
      → DON'T create organization
      → Business name = "Tractatus AI Safety Framework" (for receipts only)

   B. "MySovereignty Digital" or "MySovereignty Digital Ltd" (business)
      → Create organization in Stripe
      → OR change to company account type
      → Legal entity = match bank exactly
      → Business name = "Tractatus AI Safety Framework"

   C. Not sure
      → Check TSB online banking NOW
      → Or call TSB: 0800 872 000
      → Get exact account owner name
      → Then choose A or B above

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URGENT: Do This Today

5-Minute Fix:

1. ☐ Check TSB bank account owner name (online banking or call)
2. ☐ Write down EXACT name: ___________________
3. ☐ Go to Stripe: https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/account
4. ☐ Update account name to match TSB exactly
5. ☐ Go to: https://dashboard.stripe.com/settings/payouts
6. ☐ Update bank account holder name to match TSB exactly
7. ☐ Save all changes
8. ☐ Wait for next payout (should work now)

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What Happens If You Don't Fix This

Oct 25-28: Funds become available in Stripe Oct 26-29: Stripe attempts payout to TSB Payout recipient name: "MySovereignty Digital" TSB checks: "MySovereignty Digital" ≠ "John Stroh" (if personal account) TSB action: ❌ REJECT PAYMENT Oct 27-30: Funds return to Stripe balance You get: Email saying payout failed You must: Fix name, request payout again, wait another week

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After You Fix It

Once names match exactly:

Timeline:

• Funds in Stripe: Available now
• Fix name: Today
• Next payout: Automatic (daily/weekly schedule)
• Or request manual payout: Settings → Balance → "Pay out funds"
• Bank receives: 2-3 business days
• Money in account: 3-4 business days total

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Summary

The issue:

• Stripe account name: "MySovereignty Digital"
• TSB account owner: Probably "John Stroh"
• TSB will reject if mismatch

The fix:

1. Check TSB account owner name (5 minutes)
2. Update Stripe to match exactly (5 minutes)
3. Verify both match (1 minute)
4. Wait for payout (automatic)

Most likely scenario:

• Your TSB account is personal (John Stroh)
• You need to change Stripe to "John Stroh"
• Keep "Tractatus AI Safety Framework" as business name for receipts
• Don't create organization (not needed for personal account)

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Created: 2025-10-18 Status: URGENT - Fix before Oct 25 to avoid payout rejection Next: Check TSB account name, update Stripe to match