Payouts report: Gross Sales less Expenses doesn't equal Net Sales

Topic summary

A user is confused because subtracting taxes, discounts, and refunds from gross sales in the Payouts Over Time report doesn’t equal the reported net sales figure. Credit card processing fees appear as $0.00, which seems incorrect.

Key clarifications provided:

  • Net sales includes taxes – One responder suggests not subtracting taxes from gross sales when calculating net sales
  • Credit card fees aren’t shown in sales reports – Processing fees only appear in the Payouts section (Finances → Payouts → Transactions), not in the Payouts Over Time report
  • Net sales ≠ net payouts – Net sales (from orders) and net payouts (after fees) are different metrics; fees are deducted separately during payout processing

Recommended solutions:

  • Check Admin → Settings → Shopify Payments → View payouts for detailed payout breakdowns
  • Export data from Finances → Payouts → Transactions using the Payouts by Date filter
  • Consider third-party apps (Report Pundit, Data Export) for comprehensive reports combining sales metrics with fee breakdowns

The discussion remains open with no confirmation from the original poster whether these suggestions resolved the discrepancy.

Summarized with AI on October 24. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.

I’m looking at my Shopify Payouts data. It doesn’t add up.

I’m looking at August 2025 payout data (Admin > Reports > Payouts Over Time).

When I subtract taxes, discounts, refunds from the gross sales showing in this report for August, the amount I get doesn’t equal the report’s net sales amount.

I have included the two metrics related to fees in the report (Return fees and Additional fees) but they are both $0.00 for August – which is odd since all of my orders should be impacted by cc processing fees.

How does Shopify derive the amount showing in the Payout report for net sales? What metrics/expenses are included in the net sales number?

How can I see any fees Shopify charges?

Try not subtracting the taxes from the gross sales. As far as I know, Shopify net sales includes taxes.

You cannot get the combined sales and payout report in Shopify. Shopify gives the total payout amount and the date of payout from Analytics > Reports > Payouts over time.

If you need a detailed payout breakdown, you can check from Admin > Settings > Shopify Payments > View payouts. Or you can use any third party apps like Report Pundit, Data Export and others, which can provide the detailed breakdown of the payout amount of each order and its sales metrics, like net sales (Gross sales – Discounts – Refunds) and total sales (Net sales + Shipping + Tax + Additional fees + Return fees + Duties), as well as credit card fees and payout fees.

Shopify will not give credit card fees for any order transaction

Shopify doesn’t include card processing fees in the Payouts Over Time reports. That’s likely why your numbers aren’t lining up with your expectations.

Here’s what usually helps clear it up:

  • Go to Finances → Payouts

  • Click on Transactions

  • Use Payouts by Date to select your desired range and export the report

The fees you’re looking for (like card processing or transaction fees) only show up in the Payouts section, not in sales reports.

A common mistake is mixing net sales (from orders) with net payouts (after fees). They don’t match because the fees are subtracted later. If you stick to the Payouts view, your reconciliation will make more sense.

Hope that helps clarify things!