Tip Recipient Terms

Acorns Invest My Tips Recipient Terms & Conditions

Acorns’ Invest My Tips Program (“Invest My Tips” or the “Program”) is subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. By enrolling in or using the Program, you agree to the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “Terms”), as may be updated from time to time.  

1. General

Invest My Tips allows eligible Tip Recipients to create a public Tipping Profile and generate a personalized QR code or link (the “Code”) through which a Tipper may send a Qualified Tip for an Eligible Service. When a Tipper sends a Qualified Tip, the tip amount is directed to the Tip Recipient’s Acorns Invest Account and automatically invested according to the Tip Recipient’s Invest Account settings.

2. Definitions

When the following capitalized terms are used in these Terms, the following definitions apply:

Acorns means Acorns Grow, Inc. or any of its Affiliated Entities, as applicable to the relevant service.

Acorns Advisers means Acorns Advisers, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser.

Acorns Customer Account means an Acorns User Account as defined in the Program Agreement. 

Acorns Customer means an individual who has an Acorns User Account in Good Standing as defined in the Program Agreement. 

Acorns Securities means Acorns Securities, LLC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer and Member FINRA/SIPC.

Affiliated Entity means any other person or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with that entity. “Control” means ownership of more than 50% of the entity’s voting interests or the power to direct its management and policies.

Eligible Service means a lawful service personally provided by a Tip Recipient while performing the duties of an occupation listed in Table 1 to 26 C.F.R. § 1.224-1(h), as amended. An assistant or apprentice qualifies only while performing the same services described for the listed occupation. Acorns may determine and change eligible occupations and service categories in its sole discretion. 

Invest Account has the same meaning as Acorns Invest Account in the Program Agreement. 

Qualified Tip means a genuine and voluntary payment submitted through Invest My Tips by a Tipper for an Eligible Service provided by the Tip Recipient that: (i) exceeds the amount agreed to or required to be paid for the Eligible Service; (ii) is at least $5.00 and no more than $250.00; (iii) has successfully settled and has not been charged back, reversed, or otherwise returned; and (iv) was not submitted by the Tip Recipient, a person acting on the Tip Recipient’s behalf, or through conduct intended to circumvent these Terms, the agreement applicable to Tippers, or any transaction limit or control, or for any unauthorized or unlawful purpose. A Qualified Tip does not include, by way of example and without limitation, a mandatory service charge, required fee, commission, or gift, or a payment that is unrelated to an Eligible Service, is paid between colluding persons, or is made for any unlawful purpose.

Program Agreement means the Acorns Program Agreement, including all applicable supplements, available at https://www.acorns.com/program-agreement/.

Settlement Date means the date on which a Qualified Tip has successfully settled and the corresponding securities are posted to the Tip Recipient’s Invest Account and are available to trade.

Tip means any payment submitted through the Program, whether or not it qualifies as a Qualified Tip. 

Tipper means an individual who personally receives an Eligible Service and sends a purported Tip to the Tip Recipient using the Tip Recipient’s Code. Tipper also includes an individual who, as the parent or legal guardian of a minor who personally receives an Eligible Service, sends a purported Tip using the Tip Recipient's Code. The parent or legal guardian, not the minor, is the Tipper.

Tipping Profile means the public profile created by a Tip Recipient through the Program and associated with the Tip Recipient's Code. 

Tip Recipient, “you,” or “your” means an eligible Acorns Customer who agrees to these Terms and uses the Program to receive Qualified Tips for Eligible Services.

All capitalized terms not defined in these Terms have the meanings given in the Program Agreement.

3. Eligibility and Use of Invest My Tips. 

To use and remain eligible for Invest My Tips, you must, at all relevant times: (a) be an Acorns Customer in Good Standing with an open Acorns Invest Account, subject to the Program Agreement; (b) personally provide Eligible Services; (c) complete the Invest My Tips enrollment process, including profile setup and any required attestations and agreements; (d) provide complete, accurate, and current information and promptly update any information that becomes inaccurate; and (e) comply with these Terms and the Program Agreement. You may not be an Ineligible Person as set forth herein. Acorns may request information or documentation to verify eligibility, activity, or compliance at any time. 

4. How Tips Work

When a Tipper uses your Code: 

a. The Tipper selects a tip amount and submits payment using a payment method Acorns makes available.

b. Acorns’ third-party payment service provider processes the payment, subject to the service provider’s applicable terms and privacy notice. 

If the payment is accepted and successfully processed and settled, the Qualified Tip amount is directed to your Acorns Invest Account and invested automatically in accordance with your account settings. 

5. Tip Limits and Fees

The following daily and monthly caps (the “Tip Limits”) apply to tips you may receive through Invest My Tips:

(a)  Maximum tip amount for a single Qualified Tip: $250

(b)  Maximum Qualified Tips receivable per day: $1,000

(c)  Maximum Qualified Tips receivable per calendar month: $7,500

Daily limits reset at 12:00 AM UTC. Monthly limits reset at 12:00 AM UTC on the first day of the new calendar month.

Acorns reserves the right to adjust the Tip Limits, impose additional limits on Qualified Tips, such as, by way of example and not limitation, frequency, per-transaction amount, or source, to restrict types of payment methods, or to decline transactions at any time in its sole discretion.

Invest My Tips is included as a feature available for all Acorns Subscription Plans. Acorns does not charge an additional fee for use of the Program or before investing a Qualified Tip into your Invest Account, but may introduce or change Program-specific fees in its sole discretion in accordance with applicable law. 

6. Qualified Tips for Eligible Services Only

You represent and warrant that you will use Invest My Tips only to receive Qualified Tips up to the Tip Limits for Eligible Services that you personally provide. Each time you display or share your Code, or receive a purported tip through the Program, you represent that the payment is intended as a Qualified Tip for an Eligible Service. You may not use Invest My Tips to receive money for any other purpose. Acorns may determine in its sole discretion whether a transaction qualifies as a Qualified Tip for an Eligible Service and may reject, delay, investigate, or reverse any transaction Acorns reasonably suspects does not qualify or otherwise violates these Terms or the Program Agreement.

You may provide an Eligible Service to a minor only if the purported Tip is sent by the minor’s parent or legal guardian. You may not solicit or permit a minor to access or use Invest My Tips, submit a Tip, provide payment credentials or other information through Invest My Tips, or use your Code. You must direct the minor’s parent or legal guardian to complete the Tip transaction. You may not collect, use, disclose, or submit personal information about a minor in connection with Invest My Tips. If you know or reasonably suspect that a purported Tip was submitted by a minor or that a person lacks authority to act for the minor, you must not accept or encourage the transaction and must promptly notify Acorns Customer Support. 

7. Tipping Profile and Public Content

Your Tipping Profile may include, by way of example, a display name, photograph, profession or service category, and a brief statement or story, as determined by you and subject to the options Acorns makes available, which may change from time to time in its sole discretion. You understand and agree that your Tipping Profile will be visible to anyone who accesses your Code. You are responsible for ensuring that all profile information is accurate, current, lawful, and appropriate for a public audience. Acorns may review, format, reject, remove, or disable any profile content or Tipping Profile at any time in its sole discretion. 

You may not impersonate another person or include another person’s personal information, provided that the display name you choose may be a nickname or include initials if permitted by Acorns at that time. You may not submit content that is false, misleading, harassing, infringing, defamatory, discriminatory, obscene, threatening, or unlawful. You may not include sensitive personal information, make false claims, make financial claims, or state or imply Acorns’ endorses you or your services.

You grant Acorns, its Affiliated Entities, and its service providers a perpetual, nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable license to host, reproduce, display, format, and distribute your profile content as reasonably necessary to operate, secure, support, and promote the Program, maintain records, investigate disputes, or otherwise comply with applicable law. You represent and warrant that you own or otherwise have all rights and permissions needed to submit your profile content and grant this license.

8. Use Of Materials Provided

Your Code and any related materials provided to you or related to your Tipping Profile (collectively, the “Materials”) are issued by Acorns and unique to you. Acorns may replace or disable your Materials at any time in its sole discretion. If Materials are replaced, you may use only the most current Materials made available to you. You may display or share only those Materials provided to you by Acorns and for the purpose of inviting your customers to send Qualified Tips for Eligible Services that you personally provide. To protect yourself and your customers:

a. Use only Materials you receive directly from Acorns.

b. Do not replace, redirect, or share your Code in response to an unsolicited communication. Promptly confirm any such request through Acorns Customer Support at support@acorns.com or 1 (855) 739-2859. 

c. Promptly stop using affected Materials and contact Acorns Customer Support if you know or suspect that any Material or Tipping Profile has been copied, altered, or otherwise compromised. 

You must stop using and, if requested, destroy any Material when Acorns replaces or disables it or when your participation in the Program ends.

You may not sell, transfer, sublicense, alter, or spoof your Materials, or display or distribute Material in a manner that is unlawful, deceptive, or likely to mislead any individual, including by way of example and not limitation, about the identity of the Tip Recipient, the purpose of the payment, the nature of the Program, or Acorns’ relationship with you. 

You may not provide or purport to provide investment advice or recommendations on behalf of Acorns or any Affiliated Entity, or represent that any statement you make has been reviewed or approved by Acorns, except for the Materials provided and used without modification. 

In connection with your use of Invest My Tips, you further agree: 

8.1. No Spam. You will not distribute the Materials through unsolicited mass communications, automated systems, bots, purchased advertising, websites or platforms, or physical locations where you lack permission to display them. You may not use any device or scheme intended to generate unsolicited or deceptive traffic to your Tipping Profile, or for any other purpose other than inviting customers to make Qualified Tips for Eligible Services.  

8.2. No Misrepresentations. You will not make any false, misleading, or unsubstantiated statement about the Program attempting to mislead anyone in connection with the Program. You may truthfully state that you are an Acorns Customer participating in Invest My Tips, but are expressly prohibited from stating or implying that Acorns employs, endorses, or recommends you or your services. 

8.3. No Modifications. You will not modify, reproduce, or create derivative works from your Materials. 

8.4 No Prohibited Content. You will not use the Materials with content that is false, misleading, infringing, defamatory, discriminatory, harassing, or otherwise unlawful or inconsistent with these Terms or the Program Agreement.

8.5 No Fraud or Abuse. You will not engage in, facilitate, or attempt any fraud, abuse, impersonation, unauthorized account access, or other unlawful conduct in connection with the Program. Prohibited conduct includes without limitation creating or using false accounts, profiles, or identities, and using another person’s information or payment method; sending a Tip to yourself or through a person acting on your behalf; arranging reciprocal, circular, or collusive Tips; splitting a transaction; or otherwise structuring activity to evade the Tip Limits, these Terms, the Program Agreement, or any legal or compliance requirement. 

8.6. Limited Permission to Use Materials. Acorns grants you a limited, revocable, nonexclusive, nontransferable license to use the Materials solely as permitted by these Terms. No other right or license to any Acorns name, logo, trademark, or other right is granted. You will not sell Acorns links or create websites, email addresses, advertisements, or social media accounts using the Acorns’ name, logo, images or content. 

Compliance with the above restrictions, at all times, is a condition of participating in the Program. If Acorns determines in its sole discretion that you have violated this Section, Acorns may disable the applicable Materials or Tipping Profile, reject, delay, or reverse transactions, suspend or terminate your participation in the Program or the Acorns Platform, and/or exercise any other rights available under these Terms, the Program Agreement, or any other terms and conditions applicable to you. 

9. Tip Processing and Investment

A Tipper authorizes payment through the payment methods Acorns makes available. A displayed, authorized, or pending payment does not constitute a Qualified Tip and is not credited to your Acorns Invest Account until the Settlement Date. Processing, settlement, and investment timing may vary. Acorns does not guarantee that a transaction will settle, post, or be invested by any particular date. A transaction may be delayed, held for review, or rejected for reasons including, by way of example and not limitation, payment failure, verification measures, account status, Tip Limits, technical issues, or other controls. Acorns may require you to promptly provide information or documentation reasonably related to the transaction, the applicable Eligible Service, or your compliance with these Terms. Failure to provide requested information may result in a continued hold, rejection, return, reversal, or restriction. Following its review, Acorns may process, reject, return, reverse, or otherwise restrict the transaction. Any hold may continue for as long as reasonably necessary to complete the review or as required by law, legal process, the Program Agreement, or a payment service provider. Once invested, a Qualified Tip is subject to market gains and losses, including possible loss of principal.  

10. Reversals, Chargebacks, Refunds, and Shortfalls

Acorns may cancel, reverse, or adjust a transaction after authorization, deposit, or settlement. Reasons include, by way of example and not limitation, a Tipper dispute, a chargeback, refund, unauthorized payment, processing error, or violation of these Terms or the Program Agreement. If a shortfall or negative balance results, you will be responsible for it if Acorns reasonably determines that it resulted from activity by you or at your direction. To the extent permitted by the Program Agreement and applicable law, Acorns may recover the shortfall by liquidating securities, deducting funds from an Acorns account, offsetting future Tips, rewards, or other amounts otherwise payable to you, or requiring you to repay the amount.

In the event Acorns determines or suspects in its sole discretion that you participated in unlawful conduct, unauthorized activity, or a violation of these Terms, the Program Agreement, or any other terms applicable to your relationship with Acorns, Acorns may further (i) restrict or terminate your use of Invest My Tips; (ii) place a hold on, or cancel, your Acorns Customer Account and any and all open product accounts; and/or (iii) require your cooperation and supporting documentation in connection with its investigation.  

11. Information About Tippers

Acorns may show you limited information about a Tipper or transaction, such as the Tipper’s chosen display name, Qualified Tip amount, date, and payment status (collectively, “Tipper Information”). You agree to keep Tipper Information confidential and to store it securely. You may use Tipper Information only as reasonably necessary for, and related to, the Qualified Tip and your Eligible Services. You may not use Tipper Information for marketing, resale, unlawful purpose, or any purpose unrelated to the applicable Qualified Tip or Eligible Service except with the Tipper’s express written consent for that specific use. 

You agree to keep Tipper Information confidential and to use reasonable safeguards to protect Tipper information. You may not publicly disclose or share it except as permitted by these Terms. You must promptly notify Acorns Customer Support if you suspect unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse of any Tipper information.

12. Taxes and Records

Qualified Tips generally constitute income and may be subject to federal, state, or local taxes. You are solely responsible for determining, reporting, and paying all taxes associated with your income, Qualified Tips, your Eligible Services, and any related investment gains, losses, or withdrawals. Acorns does not determine whether a payment is deductible, excludable, or eligible for any tax benefit or whether any Tip or Qualified Tip is a qualified tip for purposes of any tax law. Eligibility for, or use of, Invest My Tips does not establish that any payment qualifies for a tax deduction or other specific tax treatment pursuant to applicable law. 

The Program is available only to individual Acorns Customers and not to any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity. If you provide Eligible Services through or on behalf of a business or other entity, you remain responsible for determining whether any Qualified Tip is income of you, the business, or another person and for properly recording, allocating, transferring, and reporting the Qualified Tip and addressing all related tax, accounting, ownership, and other legal consequences arising from its deposit into your individual Acorns Invest Account. For purposes of the Program, the Tip Recipient and owner of the Acorns Invest Account is you in your individual capacity. Acorns will not allocate, reconcile, transfer, or account for a Qualified Tip between you and any business or other entity, except for any reporting or withholding Acorns is required to perform by law. You represent and warrant that your use of Invest My Tips does not violate any agreement, obligation, or law applicable to you or any business through which you provide Eligible Services.

Acorns, its Affiliated Entities, or any third party service provider may report transactions, furnish tax forms, or statements, or request taxpayer information or withhold amounts when required by law. You must provide complete and accurate taxpayer information and promptly cooperate with reasonable requests related to reporting or withholding. The records Acorns provides may not include all information you need for tax, accounting, employment, or business purposes. You are responsible for maintaining complete records of your services (including Eligible Services), tips, and other relevant information. NONE OF ACORNS OR ITS AFFILIATED ENTITIES, OR THEIR SERVICE PROVIDERS PROVIDES TAX, ACCOUNTING, OR LEGAL ADVICE. NOTHING IN THESE TERMS IS A COMPLETE PRESENTATION OF TAX OR REPORTING RULES THAT MAY APPLY TO YOU.

13. No Employment, Service, or Agency Relationship

Acorns is not a party to any relationship or agreement between you and a Tipper. Nothing in these Terms creates an employment, agency, partnership, joint venture, or other relationship between you and Acorns or any Affiliated Entity, except for the relationship expressly established under the Program Agreement. Participation in the Program does not constitute Acorns’ recommendation or endorsement of you or your services. You may not represent that you are employed by, act for, are affiliated with, or are endorsed by Acorns because you participate in Invest My Tips. You are solely responsible for the Eligible Services you provide and for all related obligations, including without limitation compliance with applicable law. 

14. Suspension, Termination, and Program Changes

Acorns may investigate, restrict, suspend, or terminate your access to Invest My Tips at any time in its sole discretion. During a review, Acorns may require additional information, disable your Tipping Profile or Materials, reject new Tips, delay, hold, or reverse pending transactions, restrict withdrawals, or take other steps as permitted by the Program Agreement or applicable law. Suspension, termination, or closure does not affect rights or obligations arising from prior transactions, including any investigation, cooperation, reversal, tax, indemnification, or recordkeeping obligation. Acorns may change, pause, or end Invest My Tips, including its eligibility criteria, features, payment methods, limits, fees, or availability, at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with applicable law.  

15. Ineligible Persons.

You represent, warrant, and agree that: you are not an “Ineligible Person” as defined in Rule 206(4)-1(e)(9) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and are not subject to any disqualifying Commission action or disqualifying event described in Rule 206(4)-1(e)(3) or (4). You must promptly notify Acorns if any event occurs that may make this representation inaccurate. You authorize Acorns, in its discretion, to conduct an appropriate inquiry (which may include a background check or search of public records) to verify that you are not an Ineligible Person. Acorns will not restrict, suspend, or terminate participation based solely on automated output. Acorns may restrict, suspend, or terminate your participation in the Program if Acorns determines you may be an Ineligible Person or that such action is appropriate to comply with applicable law. 

16. Other Promotions

Acorns may offer a match, referral reward, bonus investment, or other promotion in connection with Invest My Tips. Each promotion is governed by its separate terms. Participation in Invest My Tips does not guarantee eligibility for any promotion or receipt of any promotion reward. If separate promotion terms conflict with these Terms regarding the applicable promotion, the separate promotion terms control solely with respect to that promotion. 

17. Miscellaneous and Investment Disclosures

17.1 Modification and Termination. Acorns reserves the right to modify these Terms or to terminate the Program at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law. Modification or termination of the Program will not affect a Qualified Tip received before its effective time. Termination of your participation in Invest My Tips does not terminate the Program Agreement or close any Acorns account unless otherwise specified. 

17.2 Restrictions. The Program is personal to you and may not be sold, transferred, assigned, sublicensed, or used by another person. The Program is available only to lawful U.S. residents or active members of the United States Armed Services who maintain a valid U.S. address and are temporarily located outside the United States in connection with their service, in each case subject to the Program Agreement and Acorns’ eligibility requirements. The Program may not be combined with certain other promotions as identified by Acorns.

17.3. Indemnity. Without limiting your indemnification obligations under the Program Agreement, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Acorns, its Affiliated Entities, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from third-party claims, losses, liabilities, damages, penalties, and reasonable costs arising from or relating to your Eligible Services, including Eligible Services provided to a minor; your interactions with a minor in connection with the Program; personal information about a minor that you collect, use, disclose, or submit in connection with the Program; your Tipping Profile or profile content; your use of the Code or Materials; taxes or business obligations; or your breach of these Terms, except to the extent caused by the applicable indemnified party's gross negligence, willful misconduct, or violation of applicable law. 

17.4 Interpretation. These Terms supplement and are incorporated into the Program Agreement. The Program Agreement and the Acorns Privacy Policy continue to govern your Acorns accounts, use of the Acorns Platform, and your participation in the Program. If these Terms conflict with the Program Agreement or any other terms regarding Invest My Tips, these Terms control solely with respect to Invest My Tips. Nothing in these Terms modifies the Program Agreement’s arbitration, class action waiver, limitation of liability, indemnification, electronic communications, governing law, account security, or account closure provisions. Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation. Acorns’ failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination, including without limitation provisions concerning investigations, reversals, taxes, records, intellectual property, indemnification, and interpretation, will survive. 

17.5 Disclaimers. Acorns does not guarantee that the Program, any Tipping Profile, Code, payment method, or feature will be available, uninterrupted, secure, or error-free, or that you will receive any particular number, frequency, or amount of Tips. Invest My Tips is a feature of the Acorns Platform and is not a retirement account or employee benefit plan. Qualified Tips are directed to your taxable Acorns Invest Account, not to an Individual Retirement Account. Nothing in these Terms is intended to provide deferred compensation or create an employee pension benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Participation in Invest My Tips is not a recommendation of any investment or investment strategy. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Please consider your objectives, risk tolerance, and Acorns’ fees before investing. Investment advisory services are offered by Acorns Advisers, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Brokerage products and services are provided by Acorns Securities, LLC, an SEC-registered broker-dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment products are NOT FDIC INSURED, NOT BANK GUARANTEED, and MAY LOSE VALUE. View additional investing disclosures at https://www.acorns.com/disclosures/.