Legal Agreement & Disclaimers Effective: November 2026

Terms of Service & Regulatory Disclaimers

Please read these Terms of Service carefully before using PayoffCraft ("the Service", "the Platform", accessible at payoffcraft.com and its subdomains). By accessing or using our financial calculators, simulations, content, or comparison tools, you signify your irrevocable acceptance of these terms.

1. Nature of Service: Educational Simulation Software (Public Beta)

PayoffCraft provides automated, client-side algorithmic calculators, mathematical comparison schedules, and educational financial content. The Platform operates in an ongoing, iterative Public Beta state to continuously reflect changing tax codes, interest benchmarks, and statutory formulas. All software, calculations, outputs, and schedules are provided on an "as-is" and "as-available" basis without warranty of any kind.

2. Non-Advisory & Non-Fiduciary Status (General Disclaimer)

PayoffCraft is not a licensed financial advisor, investment advisor, broker-dealer, certified public accountant (CPA), chartered accountant (CA), legal counsel, or wealth manager.

No Professional Relationship: Your use of our calculators, tables, or articles does not establish a fiduciary, advisory, accountant-client, attorney-client, or agency relationship between you and PayoffCraft or its creators.
Illustrative Modeling: All mathematical figures—including monthly payments, amortizations, tax liabilities, interest savings, and payoff dates—are hypothetical simulations based on self-reported variables and standardized formulas. Real-world financial products involve institution-specific underwriting, variable compounding methods, day-count conventions (e.g., Actual/360 vs 30/360), fees, and credit assessments.
Mandatory Independent Consultation: You must always consult a licensed CPA, tax professional, certified financial planner (CFP), or legal attorney before making major debt restructuring, investment, or tax-filing decisions.

3. United States Regulatory Disclaimers

A. IRS Circular 230 Notice

In accordance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, any tax advice or calculations contained on this website (including but not limited to the 1099 Self-Employment Tax Calculator, Section 199A QBI estimations, and standard deductions) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

B. Non-Lender & CFPB Compliance

PayoffCraft is not a lender, mortgage broker, or loan originator. We do not originate, broker, underwrite, fund, or service any mortgage, auto loan, personal loan, or credit card. We do not collect credit applications or determine loan eligibility. Any rate quotes or product options displayed on the platform are educational estimates or third-party sponsor promotions provided by participating networks.

C. Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA, 15 U.S.C. § 1679)

PayoffCraft does not provide credit repair services, credit score improvement programs, or direct dispute filing services. We do not charge fees to improve, counsel, or alter your credit report.

4. India Regulatory Disclaimers (RBI & Statutory Compliance)

A. Non-Banking / Non-LSP Status (RBI Digital Lending Guidelines)

PayoffCraft is an independent informational publisher. We are not a bank, Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Lending Service Provider (LSP), Digital Lending App (DLA), or payment system operator regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). We do not disburse loans, manage collections, access bank accounts, or solicit deposits under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 or the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

B. Debt Settlement & Recovery Disclaimer (RBI Fair Practices Code)

Regarding our Credit Card Settlement Calculator and related educational guides:

No Representation or Mediation: PayoffCraft does not act as a debt settlement intermediary, recovery agent, or negotiator between borrowers and commercial banks or NBFCs. We never contact financial institutions on your behalf, nor do we charge fees or commissions for settlement outcomes.
One-Time Settlement (OTS) Discretion: Any settlement hair-cut percentages (e.g., 30% to 50% waiver simulations) are strictly hypothetical illustrations. In India, One-Time Settlements (OTS) remain at the absolute, non-negotiable discretion of the creditor bank or NBFC in compliance with internal board-approved recovery policies.
Credit Score Consequences: Settling an uncollateralized loan or credit card results in a permanent "Settled" or "Written-Off" status reported to credit bureaus (TransUnion CIBIL, Equifax, Experian, CRIF High Mark), severely restricting access to fresh unsecured credit for up to 7 years. Users are strongly advised to explore structured restructuring or moratoriums before considering settlement.
Borrower Rights: All borrowers are entitled to civil, dignified treatment under the RBI Master Direction – Recovery Agents engaged by Banks. If facing illegal recovery agent harassment, intimidation, or contact outside statutory hours (08:00 to 19:00 IST), borrowers should immediately lodge a formal complaint with the bank's Principal Nodal Officer or the RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (cms.rbi.org.in).

C. Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (CICRA)

PayoffCraft does not hold, retrieve, store, or pull credit reports or official CIBIL credit scores from any of the four licensed Credit Information Companies in India. All credit score ranges referenced in our tools are self-selected user benchmarks.

5. Affiliate Marketing & Advertising Disclosures (FTC 16 CFR Part 255)

PayoffCraft strives to keep its calculations 100% free, private, and accessible to everyone without paywalls or subscriptions. To fund our ongoing hosting, development, and algorithmic maintenance:

Affiliate Partnerships: We may include affiliate links and product comparison cards for credit cards, personal loans, high-yield savings accounts, tax software, and refinancing platforms. If you click on an affiliate partner link and subsequently open an account or obtain approval, PayoffCraft may receive a referral commission or marketing fee from the sponsor network (e.g., Impact, FlexOffers, CJ Affiliate, EarnKaro, or direct partner banks).
Zero Impact on Calculation Math: Affiliate relationships never dictate, bias, or alter mathematical calculation logic, amortization schedules, or formula accuracy. The math runs purely on standard algebraic principles.
Third-Party Display Ads: We may display contextual banner advertisements through Google AdSense or certified ad exchanges. We do not endorse or guarantee the products, warranties, or claims presented in third-party advertisements.

6. Limitation of Liability & Indemnification

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in the United States, India, and any other jurisdiction:

Under no legal theory (whether in contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or otherwise) shall PayoffCraft, its founders, operators, or affiliates be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages—including loss of profits, tax penalties, interest charges, credit score degradation, or financial loss—resulting from your access to or inability to use the Platform, or your reliance on calculations, tables, or articles presented herein.
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless PayoffCraft and its operators against any claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses arising from your violation of these Terms or your reliance upon our computational models.

7. Information Technology Act, 2000 & Safe Harbor

PayoffCraft operates as an informational publisher and intermediary under Section 79 of the Indian Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

8. Inquiries & Editorial Discrepancies

If you spot a mathematical discrepancy, an outdated statutory threshold, or have questions regarding these Terms, please contact our compliance and editorial desk at [email protected].