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Business Referral Programme

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BUSINESS REFERRAL PROGRAMME AGREEMENT

This Business Referral Programme Agreement (the "Agreement") is made effective as of between

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Company is engaged in the business of providing products and services as set forth in the Scope of Work and desires to increase market reach through referrals from third parties;

WHEREAS, Referrer has contacts and potential clients in relevant markets and is willing to identify and refer prospective clients to Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth the terms under which Referrer will be eligible to receive referral fees for Qualified Referrals made to Company.

1. SCOPE OF WORK

Referrer shall identify and introduce prospective clients to Company. A "Qualified Referral" means a prospective client who (a) was introduced to Company by Referrer in writing, (b) is not an existing Company client as of the Effective Date, and (c) enters into a written agreement for Company’s products or services within the Referral Period.

2. PAYMENT TERMS

Company shall pay Referrer for each Qualified Referral in accordance with the fee structure elected below. Payment is contingent on Company's receipt of payment from the referred client for the invoiced goods or services.

Percentage of net revenue    Fixed fee per accepted referral

Payments will be issued within days after Company’s receipt of cleared funds from the referred client and receipt of a correct invoice from Referrer.

Late payments shall accrue interest at percent per month, or the maximum rate permitted by law, whichever is lower.

3. TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement shall commence on and shall continue until unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Section.

Either party may terminate this Agreement without cause by providing written notice to the other party at least days prior to the intended termination date.

Either party may terminate immediately for material breach by the other party if such breach remains uncured thirty (30) days after written notice of such breach. Termination shall not affect Referrer’s right to receive fees previously earned prior to termination subject to the conditions of this Agreement.

4. CONFIDENTIALITY

During the Term and for a period of two (2) years thereafter, each party shall hold in strict confidence and shall not use or disclose Confidential Information of the other party except as required to perform its obligations under this Agreement. "Confidential Information" means non-public business, technical, financial or customer information disclosed by one party to the other, but does not include information that is or becomes generally available to the public other than through a breach of this Agreement.

Referrer shall not solicit or accept business from any referred client for goods or services that are competitive with Company’s offerings for a period of one (1) year following termination of this Agreement with respect to that referred client.

5. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND LIMITATIONS

Each party represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement. Referrer represents that it will make referrals ethically and in compliance with applicable laws and will not misrepresent Company’s offerings. Company makes no warranty with respect to the commercial success of any referral and the sole remedy for any dispute regarding fees is limited to payment corrections as provided in this Agreement.

6. INDEMNITY

Each party shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the other party from and against any third-party claims arising out of the indemnifying party’s breach of this Agreement, gross negligence or willful misconduct.

7. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, including any exhibits and attachments expressly incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, proposals and communications, whether written or oral. Any modification or waiver must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

9. MISCELLANEOUS

Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, except that Company may assign to an affiliate or in connection with a sale of substantially all of its assets. The parties are independent contractors; nothing in this Agreement creates a partnership, joint venture or agency relationship or authorizes either party to bind the other.

Company:

By:

Date:

Referrer:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Business Referral Programme Is

A Business Referral Programme is a written agreement that sets out how one party (the referrer) introduces potential clients, customers, or leads to another party (the recipient) in exchange for a defined fee, commission, or other consideration. The document defines eligibility for referral fees, the process for submitting and qualifying leads, payment timing and calculation, confidentiality and non-solicitation terms where applicable, and termination conditions. It is used by companies across industries to formalize expectations, avoid disputes, and provide a clear record for tax and compliance purposes.

Why a Formal Referral Programme Matters

A written programme clarifies obligations, reduces disputes over compensation, and creates an auditable record for tax reporting and internal controls under IRS rules and company policy. It standardizes lead intake and payment timing to reduce administrative overhead and supports consistent data capture for performance measurement.

Why a Formal Referral Programme Matters

Who Typically Uses a Business Referral Programme

Common users include businesses that rely on external partners, independent agents, or affiliate networks to generate sales leads or client introductions.

  • Independent sales agents and brokers who receive fees for qualified client introductions.
  • Channel partners and affiliates that drive customer acquisition for recurring or one-time services.
  • Small and mid-size businesses that want standardized referral tracking and payment processes.

Using a standard programme helps these groups document referrals, align expectations, and support accurate payment and tax reporting.

Core Components of an Effective Programme

A complete Business Referral Programme contains clear eligibility rules, a defined referral submission process, fee calculation mechanics, payment terms, confidentiality and data-processing provisions, and termination or dispute-resolution steps. Each element limits ambiguity and supports consistent execution.

Eligibility

Which leads qualify, lead age, and pre-existing customer exceptions.

Submission Process

How to deliver referrals, required information, and proof of contact.

Fee Structure

Fixed fee or percentage of revenue, mounting/tracking methodology.

Payment Terms

Net payment window, conditions for holdbacks or clawbacks.

Confidentiality

Data handling, permitted disclosures, and non-solicit expectations.

Termination

How to end participation and resolve outstanding payments.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up and Using the Programme

Follow a consistent process from enrollment to payment to ensure clarity and compliance across referrals.

  • 01
    Enroll Referrer: Collect legal name, tax ID, and payment details.
  • 02
    Submit Referral: Use the standard form with required lead data and referral date.
  • 03
    Verify Lead: Confirm qualification against documented conditions.
  • 04
    Issue Payment: Process payment per agreed schedule and retain records for tax reporting.

Typical Referral Workflow

A reliable workflow minimizes delays and preserves documentary evidence for audits and payouts.

  • Create Agreement: Define terms, fees, and required fields in the template.
  • Distribute to Partners: Share forms and instructions via email or secure portal.
  • Receive Submissions: Log referrals and assign tracking IDs for verification.
  • Reconcile Payments: Validate revenue, approve payment, and issue 1099s if required.

Configuring an Online Referral Workflow

Set up fields, authentication, and routing to match internal approval and payment processes.

Field Configuration
Recipient Email or secure signing link for referrer
Authentication Email link, SMS code, or stronger as needed
Conditional Fields Show payment details only after qualification
Audit Trail Record timestamps, IP, and signer identity

Delivery and Integration Options

Decide how you'll distribute forms and capture signatures based on volume and integrations.

  • Email Links: Simple distribution method
  • API Integration: Connect to CRM or ERP
  • Bulk Send: High-volume partner outreach

Match the distribution method to partner technical ability and compliance needs; integrate with CRM or document storage as appropriate.

Key Timing Rules and Reporting Dates

Track submission, payment, and tax-reporting timelines to avoid penalties and maintain good partner relationships.

Submission Window:

Submit referrals promptly; many programmes require notification within 30–90 days.

Payment Timing:

Payment often due Net 30 or Net 60 after qualification; specify in the agreement.

W-9 Requests:

Obtain W-9 before first payment to avoid backup withholding.

1099 Reporting:

Report eligible payments on Form 1099-NEC; recipient and IRS deadlines apply Jan 31.

Record Retention:

Keep records to support 1099s and audits per retention rules.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to define a clear qualification event, which creates disputes over when fees are owed and for what revenue.
  • Not collecting a completed W-9 before payment, which can trigger backup withholding and tax reporting issues.
  • Using ambiguous fee language such as 'reasonable commission' instead of a specific percentage or amount.
  • Neglecting termination or clawback clauses, leaving the company exposed if a referred sale is later cancelled.

Potential Legal and Financial Risks

Tax Reporting: 1099 liability if payments meet IRS thresholds
Backup Withholding: 24% if TIN is missing or incorrect
Contract Disputes: Unclear terms may lead to litigation
Data Privacy: Improper data handling risks HIPAA/CCPA issues
Clawbacks: Repayment obligations if sales reverse
Compliance: Failure to follow ESIGN/UETA procedures

How Referral Programme Documents Differ from Related Forms

Compare document types to choose the right agreement and control scope of payment obligations.

Document Type Enforceable Typical Fee Structure
Referral Agreement percentage or flat fee
Finder's Fee Agreement one-time flat fee
Lead Purchase Agreement per-lead price
Affiliate Terms tiered or performance-based

eSignature Pricing Comparison for Signing Referral Agreements

Common vendor options and entry-level pricing for electronic signing solutions; signNow is listed first for comparison purposes.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Essential Data Elements to Capture

Referrer ID: Legal name
Referee Contact: Company and email
Referral Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Fee Terms: Amount or percentage
Qualification: Conditions for payment
Payment Details: Wiring or ACH info

FAQs and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about creating, signing, and managing a Business Referral Programme.


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