NorthPine Payment & Refund Policy

1. Purpose

This Payment & Refund Policy explains how payments, fees, refunds, cancellations, and disputes are handled through NorthPine.

NorthPine believes payment terms should be disclosed clearly before a transaction. The FTC has recently taken enforcement action involving undisclosed mandatory fees, reinforcing the importance of transparent total pricing.

2. Professional Service Fees

Professionals generally determine the fees they charge for their services.

Fees may be structured as:

  • Fixed-price fees
  • Hourly fees
  • Recurring monthly fees
  • Milestone payments
  • Other approved payment arrangements

Clients should review and agree to pricing before work begins.

3. NorthPine Platform Fees

NorthPine may charge:

  • Client fees
  • Professional subscription fees
  • Transaction fees
  • Marketplace fees
  • Payment processing fees
  • Other disclosed fees

All mandatory NorthPine fees will be disclosed before payment where required.

4. Payment Processing

Payments may be processed using third-party payment providers.

By submitting payment information, users authorize:

  • The applicable charge
  • Payment processing
  • Any disclosed fees
  • Applicable refunds or reversals

NorthPine may not directly store complete payment card information when it is processed by a third-party payment processor.

5. When Payment Is Charged

Depending on the engagement, payment may be:

  • Charged when work begins
  • Charged when a Professional is hired
  • Charged when a milestone is reached
  • Charged when work is completed
  • Charged according to a recurring schedule

The payment schedule will be clearly displayed before confirmation.

6. Funds Held Pending Completion

Where supported by the Platform, funds may be held until specified conditions are met.

Funds may be released when:

  • Work is completed
  • The client accepts the work
  • A milestone is completed
  • A specified waiting period expires
  • Other agreed conditions are satisfied

The exact mechanism depends on NorthPine's payment-processing configuration.

7. Cancellation Before Work Begins

If a client cancels before the Professional has begun substantive work, the client may be eligible for:

  • A full refund
  • A refund minus payment processing fees
  • A refund minus non-refundable Platform fees

The exact treatment will be disclosed at checkout or in the engagement agreement.

8. Cancellation After Work Begins

Once work has begun, refunds are not automatically guaranteed.

The amount eligible for refund may depend on:

  • Work already completed
  • Hours incurred
  • Costs incurred
  • Professional engagement terms
  • Milestones completed
  • Applicable law

Professionals may be entitled to payment for work already performed.

9. Completed Professional Services

Once services are substantially completed and delivered, payments are generally non-refundable unless:

  • The Professional agrees otherwise
  • The service was materially not provided
  • NorthPine determines a refund is appropriate under an applicable marketplace protection program
  • Applicable law requires a refund

Dissatisfaction alone does not automatically guarantee a full refund.

10. Tax Preparation Services

Because tax preparation may involve substantial work before filing, refunds for tax preparation services will depend on:

  • Work already performed
  • Documents reviewed
  • Returns prepared
  • Whether filing occurred
  • The engagement agreement

A client should not assume that cancelling before electronic filing automatically entitles them to a full refund if substantial preparation work has already occurred.

11. Bookkeeping and Recurring Services

Recurring bookkeeping subscriptions or monthly engagements may be cancelled according to the applicable billing schedule.

Unless otherwise stated:

  • Cancellation prevents future billing
  • Previously completed billing periods are not automatically refundable
  • Work already completed remains payable

12. Audits, Reviews, and Compilations

Refunds relating to audits, reviews, compilations, and other substantial professional engagements will generally be governed by the Professional's engagement agreement.

These engagements may involve significant work before a final report is issued.

13. Refund Requests

Clients requesting a refund should contact NorthPine within [Insert Number] days of the disputed charge.

Include the following in your request:

  • Job or transaction information
  • Professional name
  • Amount disputed
  • Reason for request
  • Supporting documentation

14. Payment Disputes

Before initiating a chargeback, users are encouraged to contact NorthPine.

NorthPine may:

  • Review the transaction
  • Request supporting information
  • Contact the Professional
  • Attempt to facilitate resolution

Unauthorized chargebacks or payment disputes submitted in bad faith may result in account restrictions.

15. Professional Payment Disputes

If a client disputes payment, NorthPine may temporarily delay payout where permitted.

NorthPine may consider:

  • Work completed
  • Messages
  • Deliverables
  • Agreement terms
  • Client instructions
  • Professional documentation

NorthPine's marketplace decision does not determine legal malpractice or professional liability.

16. Refund Processing Time

Approved refunds may take 5–10 business days or longer, depending on the user's financial institution or payment provider.

17. Non-Refundable Fees

Certain fees may be non-refundable when clearly disclosed, including:

  • Payment processing costs
  • Subscription periods already used
  • Platform fees
  • Administrative fees

18. Changes to Pricing

NorthPine may change its Platform fees. Changes to recurring subscriptions will be communicated in advance where required.

19. Contact

Payment questions may be directed to:

NorthPine Tax & Accounting Email: [Billing Email] Phone: [Phone Number]