When reviewers are paid, and how

1.1You set one fee per review in your profile, in the currency you choose. Authors see it before they pay, alongside your on-time record.

Your fee, your choice, shown to authors up front.

1.2You can change your fee at any time. A change applies only to invitations sent after it; invitations already sent keep the fee they showed.

Changing it doesn’t affect reviews already offered.

1.3CitePep does not set, suggest a minimum for, or negotiate your fee. Authors cannot bargain it down.

Nobody haggles.

2.1The fee is fixed the moment you accept an invitation. From then on it cannot change, not with the length of the manuscript, the time the review takes, or what your review concludes.

Accepting locks the price. Your verdict never changes it.

2.2The author’s payment is taken when you accept and held by CitePep until you deliver. You never have to chase payment.

The money is already there before you start.

3.1When you deliver the report, your fee is released to your balance, less CitePep’s service fee. The amount you will receive is shown on every invitation before you accept.

Paid on delivery. You see the amount before you accept.

3.2Balances are paid out on the first working day of each month to the bank account in your settings. Payout history and statements are in Earnings.

One payout a month, automatically.

3.3You are responsible for any tax due on your earnings. Statements show each review, its fee and your payout, for your records.

Tax is yours; the paperwork is ready for you.

4.1If you need more time, ask the author before the deadline. If they agree, the new date becomes the agreed date and your on-time record is unaffected.

Ask early and a new date counts as on time.

4.2If a review is not delivered by the agreed date, the author may cancel for a full refund. No payment is made, and the review counts as late on your record.

Miss the deadline and the author may cancel unpaid.

4.3If a delivered report is missing a required part of the five-part structure, the author can ask you to complete it within 3 days. Payment is released once it is complete.

An incomplete report is sent back once, not refused.

4.4If you discover a conflict of interest after accepting, withdraw at once. The author is refunded in full; no payment is made, and the withdrawal does not count as late.

Withdraw for a conflict and nothing counts against you.

5.1Authors cannot withhold payment because they disagree with your findings. A dispute can concern only delivery, completeness or conduct, and goes to the standards team.

Disagreeing with you is not grounds for a refund.

5.2The standards team replies within 2 working days and aims to resolve disputes within 14. Its decision on payment is final.

A named person decides, quickly.