9.1. Requirements: As a condition of payment of accrued Cash Back or other rewards, you must establish and maintain an Active Account (defined below) with the information necessary to process your payment: a valid email address at which you are able to receive email, a valid postal address, your first and last name, and a password to protect your Account. If you elect to receive payment via PayPal, you must provide us a valid PayPal email address. You must not use a PayPal account associated with another Ebates Account. A single PayPal email address cannot be connected to multiple Ebates Accounts. Also as a condition of payment, you must not be a resident of a country subject to economic or trade sanctions by the U.S. State Department or U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) or be listed as a “Specially Designated National,” a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist,” a “Blocked Person,” or similar designation under the OFAC sanctions regime. You further agree to provide additional information we may reasonably request to verify your identity as a condition for receiving payment. The minimum payment amount is $5.01. Balances below $5.01 remain in your account for potential payment during the next payment period.
9.2. Payments: Ebates pays members in U.S. dollars via check, PayPal, or other payment options as Ebates may make available from time to time. Members may select or change their payment options in the account settings through the Ebates Properties. Ebates typically pays its Members accrued Cash Back and other rewards every three (3) months in accordance with the current payment schedule. Please note that accrual rates vary depending on the Affiliate Store’s policies and reporting schedules. For example, Cash Back for travel-related purchases typically does not accrue until after travel has been completed. Ebates reserves the right to delay payment for any purchase based on changes to Affiliate Store policies at any time. Ebates also reserves the right to modify the payment schedule at any time. Ebates is not responsible for payments delivered to the wrong address through no fault of Ebates or for payment errors made by payment partners like PayPal. If your check expires without being cashed or deposited, or if it is returned uncashed to Ebates, the payment amount will be returned to your Account, where it may be subject to inactive account maintenance charges described in Section 10.2 below unless you take the proper steps to restore your Account to Active status.
9.3. Gift Cards: Periodically, Ebates may offer gift cards in connection with a promotion or as a redemption option for your Cash Back. Gift cards are subject to the terms and conditions of the gift card issuer and the applicable Affiliate Store policies. Ebates is not responsible for lost or stolen payments, including gift cards.
9.4. Account Adjustments: In our sole discretion, we may deduct Cash Back from your account in order to make adjustments for returns and cancellations with respect to Qualifying Purchases. Any such adjustments, however, will be made in accordance with this Agreement, any applicable Ebates policies and terms, the terms of any Affiliate Store offers, and any and all applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The determination of whether a purchase made through an Ebates Affiliate Store qualifies for Cash Back is at the sole discretion of Ebates. If an Affiliate Store fails to report a transaction to Ebates or fails to make payment to Ebates for any reason, Ebates reserves the right to cancel the Cash Back associated with that transaction. It is your responsibility to check your Account regularly to ensure that Cash Back has been properly credited and paid and that your Account balance is accurate. If you believe that Cash Back has not been correctly credited to your account, you must contact Ebates Member Services within ninety (90) days of the transaction. Should you disagree with any adjustments made to your account or payments made to you, your sole remedy is to withdraw from the Program.
9.5. Taxes: You may be taxed on your receipt of bonuses and other consideration (merchandise, travel, etc.) for member referrals or other promotional activities (such as prizes from a sweepstakes) depending on the tax laws of federal, state, and local jurisdictions. You will be solely responsible for any and all tax liability arising out of the consideration received in connection with any member referrals or promotional activities.