Frequently Asked Questions
Arbiter Pay
Getting Started
What is Arbiter Pay?
Arbiter Pay is a K-12 payments platform that schools use to pay officials, event staff, and other 1099 workers quickly and securely. It eliminates paper checks and cash handling and provides 1099 records and compliance reporting.
Who uses Arbiter Pay?
Arbiter Pay is built for athletic directors, business offices, and finance teams that need a centralized, compliant way to pay 1099 workers. Officials, referees, and event staff benefit from faster, more reliable payments.
How does Arbiter Pay help schools save time?
Arbiter Pay school payment system saves hours each week by replacing paper checks and manual reporting. Finance staff avoid duplicate entry, and ADs no longer track down unpaid officials. Lubbock-Cooper ISD saved $7,000 annually with Arbiter Pay.
Payments and Processes
Can Arbiter Pay handle payments beyond officials?
Yes. Arbiter’s payment processing for schools supports all 1099 workers, including officials, event staff, and ticket takers – across athletic and non-athletic events.
Can schools use Arbiter Pay with their current bank?
Yes. Arbiter Pay connects to your existing bank account to fund payments. No new banking setup is required, and reconciliation is simplified with digital reporting.
How do 1099 workers (officials, event staff, etc.) get paid?
Workers are paid directly into their Arbiter Pay account. From there, they can transfer to a bank account (often same day), use the Arbiter Pay debit card, or set up automatic withdrawals. See how schools simplified 1099 payments.
Does Arbiter Pay replace 1099 reporting for schools?
Yes. Arbiter Pay tracks worker earnings and generates 1099s for all workers paid over $600, reducing manual prep and compliance risk.
Security and Compliance
How does Arbiter Pay keep financial data secure?
Arbiter Pay uses bank-level encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and SOC 2 certified infrastructure. Explore Arbiter’s MFA and encryption safeguards.
Does Arbiter Pay support tax reporting requirements?
Yes. Arbiter Pay automates 1099 reporting for workers earning over $600 annually, simplifying compliance for both schools and workers.
Is Arbiter Pay SOC 2 compliant?
Yes. Arbiter Pay meets SOC 2 requirements for data security, system integrity, and confidentiality. Learn about Arbiter’s security and compliance standards.
Supporting Your Officials
How do officials receive their money?
Officials are paid directly into their Arbiter Pay account. From there, they can:
- Transfer to a personal bank account (often same day).
- Use the Arbiter Pay debit card for purchases or ATM withdrawals.
- Set up automatic transfers for convenience.
Do officials get taxed differently when using Arbiter Pay?
No. Arbiter Pay doesn’t change how taxes work. Just like with checks, officials earning $600+ in a year receive a 1099. The difference is Arbiter Pay automates reporting, making it easier for both schools and officials.
How can I reassure officials worried about Arbiter Pay?
We hear these concerns often, but they often prefer Arbiter Pay once they see the benefits: Here’s what ADs tell us helps:
- No lost checks.
- Faster, more reliable payments.
- Fewer missed games (no “pay block” when balances lag).
- Easier visibility into earnings and mileage.
What if an official doesn’t want to use Arbiter Pay?
Adoption policies vary by school, but most see near-universal usage once officials experience the benefits. Providing a short FAQ handout or directing them to Arbiter Pay support can smooth the transition.
Finance Office Benefits
How does Arbiter Pay simplify reconciliation?
Every payment is recorded digitally with detailed reports by event, worker, and program. Finance offices no longer need to reconcile stacks of checks or cash records.
Can Arbiter Pay integrate with other Arbiter products?
Yes. Arbiter Pay integrates with Arbiter Game for scheduling making it easier to connect rosters, assignments, and payments.
How do schools budget for Arbiter Pay?
Schools typically fund Arbiter Pay from their activities or athletics budget. Reporting features help track expenses by season or activity.
How is pricing structured?
Pricing is based on usage and scale. Talk to our team for a tailored quote.