> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.guile.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Businesses overview

> Register a business for payments, then manage payout destinations and balance

Use the Businesses API to register a shop with the payment processor and manage the accounts that receive payouts. Stripe is the supported processor today.

## Register the business

To accept payments, [register with the payment processor](/api-reference/businesses/register-a-business). The payload differs for an individual versus a company.

Individuals send the last four digits of their SSN, date of birth, and address. Companies also send the legal name and EIN.

If the business is already registered, you get `businessAlreadyRegistered`.

## Add financial accounts and cards

After registration, [add financial accounts](/api-reference/businesses/add-a-business-financial-account) for payouts, manually or through Plaid for faster verification.

You can also [add payout cards](/api-reference/businesses/add-business-payout-card) for faster access, usually at a higher fee. Mark one account or card as the default destination.

You cannot [remove a default financial account](/api-reference/businesses/remove-a-business-financial-account) or [remove a default payout card](/api-reference/businesses/remove-business-payout-card). That returns `cannotRemoveDefault`. Set a different default first, then remove the old one.

## Read the balance

[Get the business balance](/api-reference/businesses/get-business-payment-processor-balance) across four buckets:

**Available**: ready for standard bank payouts. **Available for instant**: the share you can send instantly to a card, subject to daily limits. **Pending**: still settling. **Allocated**: already tied to payouts in flight.

If processor setup is incomplete, you get `paymentProviderNotSetup`.

## Match destinations to payout methods

When you [list financial accounts](/api-reference/businesses/list-the-business-financial-accounts) or [list payout cards](/api-reference/businesses/list-business-payout-cards), filter by payout method to see which destinations work for the transfer you want.

Guile routes the payout from the method you choose to a destination that supports it.

## Common failures

| Problem                     | What it means                         | What you do               |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------- |
| `businessAlreadyRegistered` | Registration already exists           | Use the existing business |
| `cannotRemoveDefault`       | That destination is still the default | Set another default first |
| `paymentProviderNotSetup`   | Processor setup is incomplete         | Finish registration       |

## Suggested order

1. Register the business
2. Finish identity and business verification
3. Add bank accounts or cards
4. Watch balances before you pay out
5. Create payouts under [Payouts](/api-reference/Payouts/overview)