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Commission Agreement

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Leasing Commission Agreement

Agreement made on the between of referred to herein as Broker, and of referred to herein as Owner, and of referred to herein as Tenant.

Whereas, Owner has legal title to a property located at and more particularly described in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof; and

Whereas, the said property contains office space described in Exhibit B attached hereto and made a part hereof; and

Whereas, Broker has presented the office space needs of Tenant to Owner and has and will render services in connection with the leasing of office space to the Tenant; and

Whereas, should a Lease be consummated, Owner has agreed to pay Broker a real estate commission in consideration for services rendered and to be rendered in consummating a Lease pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

Whereas, Owner understands and agrees that Broker is serving solely as a representative of the interests of Tenant. Likewise, Owner acknowledges that the applicable fee structure(s) defined below, as mutually agreed between Owner, Broker and Tenant, has been considered and included within the Owner’s proposal for lease;

Now, therefore, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

I. Agreement to Pay Commission. Owner hereby agrees to pay a real estate commission to Broker in a sum equal to of the total Gross Rentals to be paid to Owner over the term of the Lease (with no offset). Should a lease term be for a period greater than years, Owner will pay only of the total Gross Rentals to be paid to Owner for the period exceeding the month of rental payments. The commission on any expansion shall be equal to of the total additional Gross Rents added to, or above the total rents of the original Lease, if the Broker is involved. The commission on any renewal shall be Total Gross Rentals.

II. Payment of Commission. The commission shall be due and payable to Broker in cash (i) one half (1/2) at the time the Lease is signed and (ii) the balance on the earlier to occur of (a) the first day that Tenant occupies all or any portion of the space covered by the Lease, or (b) commencement of the term under the Lease. If Tenant's space is expanded or if the Lease is renewed, the commission in relation to such renewal or expansion will be due and payable in full at the time a modification or renewal notice covering the expansion or renewal is executed by Owner and Tenant, if Broker is involved.

III. Successors and Assigns. The obligation to pay and the right to receive any of the commissions described above shall inure to the benefit and obligation of the respective heirs, successors and/or assigns of Owner or Broker. In the event of a sale or an assignment of the Property which includes Tenant's demised premises, Owner agrees to secure from the purchaser or assignee a written recordable agreement under which the new owner or assignee assumes payment to Broker all commissions payable hereunder.

IV. Representation of Tenant. Although Owner will pay the commission to Broker, Broker will not be representing Owner in the contemplated lease transaction. Broker will be representing only Tenant in such transaction. Owner acknowledges and agrees that he/she is responsible for any commissions due any other broker with respect to this transaction

V. Owner agrees to disclose to Broker and to Tenant any and all information which Owner has regarding the condition of the property including, but not limited, to structural, mechanical and soil conditions, the presence of and location of asbestos, PCB transformers, other toxic, hazardous or contaminated substances, and underground storage tanks in, on, or about the Property. Broker is authorized to disclose any such information to Tenant.

VI. Severability. The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.

VII. No Waiver. The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

VIII. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

IX. Notices. Unless provided herein to the contrary, any notice provided for or concerning this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given when sent by certified or registered mail if sent to the respective address of each party as set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.

X. Mandatory Arbitration. Any dispute under this Agreement shall be required to be resolved by binding arbitration of the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and both arbitrators shall then select a third. The third arbitrator so selected shall arbitrate said dispute. The arbitration shall be governed by the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in force and effect.

XI. Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

XII. Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

XIII. Assignment of Rights. The rights of each party under this Agreement are personal to that party and may not be assigned or transferred to any other person, firm, corporation, or other entity without the prior, express, and written consent of the other party.

XIV. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

XVI. Compliance with Laws. In performing under this Agreement, all applicable governmental laws, regulations, orders, and other rules of duly-constituted authority will be followed and complied with in all respects by both parties.

Witness our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

Enter text✕

What a Commission Agreement Covers

A Commission Agreement is a written contract that sets the terms under which one party pays another for sales or services delivered, typically using a percentage or fixed fee tied to performance. It identifies parties, scope of work, commission formula, payment timing, reporting obligations, termination conditions, and dispute resolution. These agreements govern relationships between employers and agents, independent contractors, brokers, and sales representatives. Accurate, signed Commission Agreements reduce misunderstandings, document compensation triggers, and provide enforceable proof of the parties’ obligations under U.S. contract and employment laws.

Why a Clear Commission Agreement Matters

The Commission Agreement clarifies payment mechanics, aligns expectations, and creates enforceable compensation rights. It mitigates disputes by documenting calculation methods, reporting requirements, and timing. Properly drafted agreements also help ensure compliance with wage laws and recordkeeping obligations under federal and state rules.

Why a Clear Commission Agreement Matters

Who Commonly Uses and Signs Commission Agreements

Typical signers include employers, sales agents, brokers, independent contractors, and companies that pay performance-based compensation.

  • Sales representatives and brokers who earn commissions on closed transactions.
  • Employers documenting commission plans, reporting, payroll treatment, and tax withholding practices.
  • Independent contractors or referral partners engaged under fee-for-service commission arrangements.

Use the Commission Agreement when payments depend on sales activity or measurable performance to document rights and remedies.

Core Sections Every Commission Agreement Should Include

Essential sections define parties, commission formula, payment schedule, reporting, termination, confidentiality, dispute resolution, and responsibilities to reduce ambiguity and enforceable interpretation.

Parties

Identify each party with full legal name, business entity type, and principal address; include contact for commission notices and specify whether the agent is employee or independent contractor for tax and labor law purposes.

Commission Formula

Describe calculation method (percentage, tiered rates, bonuses), define gross versus net revenue base, address returns, chargebacks, and allocation for split commissions or multi-party deals to avoid disputes.

Payment Terms

State payment frequency, due dates, minimum thresholds, invoicing requirements, acceptable payment methods, and consequences for late payments including interest or offset rights and reconciliation procedures.

Reporting

Require regular sales and commission statements, supporting transaction details, timing for disputes, format for delivery, and audit access for verification and reconciliation of amounts owed.

Termination

Specify termination triggers, notice periods, treatment of pending commissions, post-termination payment schedule, survival of certain clauses, and any non-compete or non-solicit provisions if enforceable under state law.

Dispute Resolution

Include governing law, venue, and mechanism for resolving claims such as mediation, arbitration, or litigation, and allocate costs and attorneys’ fees where permitted by statute.

Required Data Elements at a Glance

Full Legal Name: Exact legal name on ID.
Business Entity: Type and jurisdiction of formation.
Commission Rate: Percent or fixed dollar amount.
Payment Schedule: Frequency and due dates.
Termination Clause: Notice period and treatments.
Signatures: Printed name, title, date.

Step-by-Step: Complete and Execute the Agreement

Follow these steps to complete and execute a Commission Agreement accurately, including verification, signatures, and record retention for compliance purposes.

  • 01
    Prepare: Gather party details, role descriptions, and compensation metrics.
  • 02
    Draft: Specify formula, timing, reporting, and exceptions clearly.
  • 03
    Review: Have legal and tax review for wage and withholding issues.
  • 04
    Execute: Obtain signatures, notarization if required, and distribute executed copies.

How to Configure an Online Signing Workflow

Configure your digital workflow to automate field population, signer order, authentication, reminders, and delivery for faster, auditable execution.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Sequential or parallel signing order.
Authentication Email, SMS code, or KBA options.
Auto-Reminders Set cadence and escalation emails.
Templates Reusable templates with conditional fields.

Where to Send and How Signed Copies Are Delivered

Typical routing and submission steps clarify who receives the signed Commission Agreement and how final copies and audit records are delivered.

  • Upload: Attach final contract PDF or draft document.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, date, and calculation fields.
  • Send: Email or link to signers with instructions.
  • Storage: Store executed copy and audit trail securely.

Digital Signing and Compliance Essentials

Digital signing requires a compliant eSignature provider, secure storage, and signer authentication appropriate to transaction risk and regulatory needs.

  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX supported.
  • Integrations: CRM and storage connectors available.
  • Security: TLS in transit, AES-256 at rest.

Key Timing Considerations and Deadlines

Timing depends on payment cycles, dispute windows, termination notice periods, and tax reporting deadlines; set internal schedules to avoid missed payments and reporting issues.

Payment Cycle:

Typical monthly or quarterly payouts based on close date.

Dispute Window:

Specify time to contest calculations, e.g., 30 days.

Notice Periods:

Contract may require 30–90 days’ notice before termination.

Reporting Frequency:

Monthly statements recommended for high-volume sales.

Tax Reporting:

Retain records to support IRS reporting and audits.

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

  • Ambiguous commission formulas that omit deductions, refunds, or chargebacks lead to disputes and delayed payments, especially when gross versus net revenue is not defined.
  • Failing to specify treatment of returned goods, canceled orders, or customer credits can result in overpayments and retroactive recovery conflicts.
  • Not documenting seller versus agent status causes tax and withholding misclassification risk; legal counsel should confirm worker classification before execution.
  • Missing signatures, undated signature blocks, or inconsistent signatory names can render a Commission Agreement unenforceable or delay payments and audits.

Penalties and Practical Risks

Tax Penalties: Backup withholding, reporting fines.
Payment Liability: Overpayment recovery disputes.
Classification Risk: Misclassification fines and audits.
Contract Voidance: Signature failures risk unenforceability.
Interest Charges: Late payment interest accrues.
Breach Claims: Damages and legal costs.

Practical Examples of Commission Agreement Use

Examples below show how Commission Agreements function across sales, brokerage, and referral arrangements with practical outcomes and compliance notes.

Real Estate Broker

A regional real estate brokerage documents agent splits and referral fees across multi-listing transactions to ensure transparent payouts and avoid double-counting.

  • Clarifies tiers, splits, and clawback on cancellations.
  • The Commission Agreement allowed the brokerage to reconcile monthly statements, process disputed adjustments within the contract window, and support accurate 1099 reporting, reducing audit exposure and preserving agent relations through predictable payment practices.

Independent Sales Rep

An independent sales representative used a written Commission Agreement to document territory, exclusivity, and minimum performance thresholds tied to commission eligibility.

  • Protected unpaid commissions after early termination.
  • Clear formulae and post-termination payment provisions allowed the rep to collect earned commissions despite contract termination, and provided the company with a documented audit trail for payroll and tax reporting purposes.

How a Commission Agreement Differs from an Employment Agreement

Compare Commission Agreement with an employment agreement to show distinctions in compensation, tax withholding, and control affecting classification and legal obligations.

Criteria Commission Agreement Employment Agreement
Tax Withholding contractor employee
Control Level independent employer control
Benefits Eligibility yes typically
Termination Rights contract terms employment law protections

eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Comparison

Vendor pricing and feature trade-offs for eSignature options often influence platform choice for executing Commission Agreements across organizations of varying size.

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 Yes, 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
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About Commission Agreements

Answers to common questions about drafting, e-signing, signing authority, notarization, amendments, and storage for a Commission Agreement in the U.S.


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