Payment & Refund Policy
This policy explains how project payments work on IF Media Connect, how funds are held and released, and how refunds and disputes are handled.
1. How Payments Work
All transactions on IF Media Connect are processed in Canadian dollars (CAD) through Stripe. By using the platform, you agree to Stripe's terms of service.
Project funding is secured before work begins. When a brand hires a creator, payment is held by IF Media Inc. until the payment release conditions are met. IF Media Inc. is not a bank and does not operate a regulated escrow service — funds are held as part of our platform transaction process.
The general payment flow is:
- Brand hires a creator and submits payment through Stripe
- Project funding is secured by IF Media Inc.
- Creator accepts and begins work
- Creator submits deliverables
- Brand approves — or auto-approval triggers after 48 hours
- Creator is paid out within 2 business days of release
2. Platform Fees
IF Media Connect charges a platform fee on each completed transaction. The fee is shown in full at checkout before the brand confirms the hire. No additional fees are added after checkout.
Example breakdown:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Creator fee | $800.00 |
| IF Media Connect platform fee (15%) | $120.00 |
| GST on platform fee (Alberta, 5%) | $6.00 |
| Total charged | $926.00 |
The creator fee passes through to the creator. IF Media Inc. earns only the platform fee.
3. GST/HST on the Platform Fee
IF Media Inc. charges applicable GST/HST on its platform fee where required by Canadian law. The rate depends on the brand's province:
| Province / Territory | Tax |
|---|---|
| Alberta | 5% GST |
| British Columbia | 5% GST + 7% PST |
| Saskatchewan | 5% GST + 6% PST |
| Manitoba | 5% GST + 7% PST |
| Ontario | 13% HST |
| Quebec | 5% GST + 9.975% QST |
| Nova Scotia | 15% HST |
| New Brunswick | 15% HST |
| Prince Edward Island | 15% HST |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 15% HST |
| Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon | 5% GST |
Tax is displayed at checkout and included on all invoices.
4. Creator Tax Responsibility
Creators on IF Media Connect are independent contractors. Creators are solely responsible for:
- Reporting and remitting income tax on platform earnings
- Determining whether they are required to register for GST/HST
- Filing their own tax returns
IF Media Inc. does not withhold income tax or deductions from creator payouts. IF Media Inc. may issue T4A slips where required under CRA reporting rules.
5. Creator Payouts
Once payment is released, IF Media Inc. aims to initiate creator payouts within 2 business days. Payout timing may vary depending on the creator's payout method and banking processing times.
Creator payout account details are managed through Stripe.
6. Payment Release
Payment is released when one of the following occurs:
Brand approval — The brand explicitly approves the deliverables through the platform. Payment release is triggered immediately.
Auto-approval — If the brand does not approve, request revisions, or open a dispute within 48 hours of deliverable submission, the project is automatically approved and payment is released.
Brands receive reminder notifications at 24 hours and 6 hours before auto-approval. It is the brand's responsibility to review deliverables within this window.
7. Refunds
Refunds are assessed based on the stage of the project. IF Media Inc. may determine the appropriate outcome based on the evidence available through the platform.
Before creator acceptance
If the brand cancels before the creator accepts, or the creator declines or does not respond within 48 hours:
- Full refund of project funds to the brand
After acceptance, before work starts
If the brand cancels after the creator has accepted but before work has materially commenced:
- Full or partial refund may apply depending on circumstances
After work has started
Once a creator has materially commenced work, refunds are not automatic. IF Media Inc. will assess based on:
- Evidence of work completed
- Whether the brand provided a complete project brief
- Whether the brand changed scope or creative direction after work began
- The proportion of the project completed at time of cancellation
A reasonable kill fee may be awarded to the creator to compensate for work already performed.
After deliverables are submitted
Once deliverables have been submitted, refunds are available only through the dispute process. The brand must approve, request revisions, or open a dispute.
After approval or auto-approval
Once the brand has approved deliverables and payment is released, the transaction is generally final. Refunds at this stage are at IF Media Inc.'s sole discretion and only in exceptional circumstances.
8. Revisions
The default revision policy is two rounds of revisions per project, unless a different number is specified in the project brief.
A revision is a reasonable change to submitted work that remains within the original project brief.
A revision is not:
- A new concept, theme, or creative direction
- A new script, storyboard, or narrative
- New products, locations, talent, or props not in the original brief
- A change in deliverable format or platform
- New or expanded usage rights
- Any change requiring substantially new work
Requests outside this scope may require a new agreement and additional compensation.
9. Disputes
Either party may open a formal dispute through IF Media Connect if they believe the other party has not fulfilled their obligations.
The process:
- Either party opens a dispute through the platform
- Both parties submit evidence (project brief, messages, deliverables, revision history)
- IF Media Inc. reviews the available evidence
- IF Media Inc. issues a determination
- Funds are released or refunded accordingly
IF Media Inc. aims to resolve most disputes within 5 business days. Complex matters may take longer. Funds remain held while a dispute is open.
IF Media Inc.'s determination is final within the platform process.
10. Chargebacks
If a brand initiates a credit card chargeback after deliverables have been approved or payment has been released:
- The creator's payout may be frozen pending investigation
- The brand's account will be suspended from new project activity
- IF Media Inc. will submit evidence to Stripe including the contract, messages, deliverables, revision records, and approval timestamps
- Accounts found to have initiated fraudulent chargebacks may be permanently terminated
11. Failed Payments
If a brand's payment fails during project funding:
- The project will not proceed until payment is successfully completed
- The creator will be notified of the payment status
- Repeated payment failures may result in account review
12. Fraud Review
IF Media Inc. may place a hold on any transaction or account pending a fraud review. During a review, payouts and refunds may be delayed. We will notify affected users where appropriate.
13. No Off-Platform Payments
All payments for work originating through IF Media Connect must be processed through the platform. Direct off-platform payments are a violation of the Terms of Service, remove dispute protections for both parties, and may result in account suspension.
14. Account Termination with Active Funds
If an account is terminated while project funds are held, IF Media Inc. will determine the appropriate disposition of those funds based on project status and the circumstances of termination.
15. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify registered users by email and update the effective date at the top of this page.
Questions?
IF Media Inc., operating as IF Media Connect Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada support@ifmedia.ca · (403) 545-0195 Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM MT