Draw tracking that shows every balance
A commission draw is money you pay a rep against commission they haven’t earned yet. ClearComp reconciles each draw against real commission every period — forgiving or carrying forward the shortfall according to the rep’s draw type — and shows the result on every payout.
Four draw types, built in
| Draw type | How it works | Carries a balance? |
|---|---|---|
| Forgivable draw | A guaranteed minimum. If commission falls short, the rep keeps the draw and the shortfall is written off. | Never |
| Non-forgivable draw | An advance against commission. A shortfall becomes a balance that future commission pays down first. | Yes, until recovered |
| Salary plus commission | The salary is paid in full every period and commission is added on top. No offset. | Never |
| Quarterly non-forgivable draw | The full quarter's draw is recovered against month-one commission; any shortfall carries into months two and three. | Within the quarter, then resets |
Draws can be paid weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.
The same month, two draw types
| Commission earned | $800.00 |
|---|---|
| Draw top-up to the minimum | $700.00 |
| Paid this period | $1,500.00 |
| Balance carried forwardThe $700 shortfall is forgiven. | $0.00 |
| Commission earned | $800.00 |
|---|---|
| Draw advance | $700.00 |
| Paid this period | $1,500.00 |
| Balance carried forwardRecovered from future commission first. | −$700.00 |
Try your own numbers in the commission and draw calculator, or read the full guide to forgivable vs non-forgivable draws.
Check your state's rules before recovering a balance
State wage laws restrict how employers can recover draws. Some limit deducting an unearned balance from wages or a final paycheck, and some require commission and draw terms in a written agreement signed in advance. ClearComp tracks balances; it doesn’t decide whether you can collect them. Check your state’s rules with an employment attorney.
Draw questions
What is a commission draw?
A commission draw is money paid to a rep against future commission, so they have a predictable paycheck while commission is lumpy or still ramping. It is reconciled against the commission the rep actually earns.
What's the difference between a forgivable and a non-forgivable draw?
A forgivable draw is a guaranteed minimum: shortfalls are written off. A non-forgivable (recoverable) draw is an advance: shortfalls become a balance the rep pays back out of future commission.
Can reps see their draw balance?
Yes. Once you activate a rep's portal, every payout shows the draw, the commission earned and any balance carried forward, line by line.
Does ClearComp handle partial months and bi-weekly pay?
Yes. A rep's tracking start date prorates the draw for their first month, and weekly or bi-weekly draws count the actual paychecks that fall in each month instead of assuming every month is the same.
More definitions in the commission glossary. Pay reps on splits too? See splits and overrides.
See how ClearComp pays your reps
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