How to Cancel Zettle by PayPal (UK 2025)

Zettle Account Terms

Zettle by PayPal operates on a pay-as-you-go basis with no binding contracts:

Why People Leave Zettle

1. High Fees for Volume - 1.75% becomes expensive for £30k+ monthly turnover
2. PayPal Issues - Account holds or disputes affecting Zettle payments
3. Better Rates Available - Providers like Dojo offer 0.3%+ for busy businesses
4. Limited Hardware - Basic readers vs. full POS systems
5. Support Quality - Email-only support for most issues

Important: Zettle vs PayPal

Zettle is separate from your PayPal account, but they're linked:

• Closing Zettle - Does NOT close your PayPal account
• PayPal Access - You keep full access to regular PayPal
• Transaction History - PayPal retains Zettle transaction records
• Payouts - Zettle payments go to your PayPal balance (then bank)

Before Closing Your Zettle Account

1. Export Transaction Data

Download your Zettle records while you still have access:

1. Log into Zettle app or web dashboard
2. Go to "Reports" or "Sales"
3. Export last 12+ months of transactions
4. Download as CSV or PDF
5. Save securely (HMRC requires 6 years)

Alternative: Your transactions also appear in PayPal, so you'll always have access there.

2. Wait for Pending Payments

Zettle processes payments to your PayPal account within 1-2 business days:

• Check PayPal balance for all Zettle payments
• Resolve any disputes or chargebacks
• Wait for pending transactions to clear

3. Your Zettle Reader

You own the Zettle hardware (purchased for £29-£169). You can:

• Keep it - Reactivate Zettle anytime
• Sell it - £20-£100 on eBay depending on model
• Recycle it - Electronics recycling

How to Close Your Zettle Account

Zettle makes it relatively easy to close your account:

Method 1: Through the App (Easiest)

1. Open Zettle Go app
2. Go to Settings (gear icon)
3. Scroll to "Account"
4. Look for "Close account" or "Delete account"
5. Follow prompts to confirm
6. Verify via email

Method 2: Contact Support

Email Template

To: support@zettle.com Subject: Close My Zettle Account Hello, I would like to close my Zettle by PayPal account. Account Email: [your@email.com] Business Name: [Your Business] I confirm: ✓ All payments have been received ✓ No outstanding disputes ✓ I have exported transaction data Please confirm closure and that my PayPal account will remain active. Thank you, [Your Name]

What Zettle Will Ask

• Reason for closing - Helps them improve service
• Outstanding balance - Any pending payments?
• PayPal confirmation - Confirm you want to keep PayPal active
• Data export - Have you downloaded records?

Closure Timeline

What Happens to Your Data

• Zettle App: You lose access after closure
• PayPal: Transaction history remains visible in PayPal account
• Tax Records: Accessible via PayPal for 7+ years
• Card Reader: Yours to keep but won't work without active account

Better Alternatives to Zettle

Common Questions

Will closing Zettle affect my PayPal account?

No. They are separate services. Your PayPal account remains fully active.

Can I still accept PayPal payments without Zettle?

Yes. You can accept PayPal online payments, send invoices, and use PayPal Here (their other card reader app).

What happens to my Zettle reader after closure?

It won't work without an active Zettle account. You can sell it (£20-£100 depending on model) or keep it in case you reactivate later.

Can I reopen my Zettle account?

Yes, but you'll need to sign up as a new customer. You can use the same card reader if it's still in working condition.

How long does Zettle keep my data?

Zettle retains data for regulatory compliance (6-7 years) but you won't have dashboard access. However, all transactions remain visible in your PayPal account permanently.

Do I need to pay VAT on Zettle fees?

Zettle's 1.75% fee is inclusive of VAT. This is shown on your PayPal statements.

Tax Implications

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