Hello fellow turkers! I'm Kerwin and live in NYC. I've been lurking for the past few days and thought it's time to say hi. I'm not new to micro-tasks. I'm, more or less, a microworkers.com refugee. I've been doing that since mid November of last year and it's just starting to rub me the wrong way. For the lack of a better word, it's cut-throat. I really have to stay on top of it. I have a full-time job and some freelance work on the side. I've managed to eke out about $25 to $30 per week on microworkers, I thought it was time for a change of pace. I'm still in my mturk probation period, but wow! I like the vibe of the hits. The instructions are clearly written and the site just seems a little more laid back. I'd love to ask the veterans out there some questions: 1. I've installed the TO script and I'm wondering about promptness. What does a 5/5 rating actually mean in terms of promptness? Does that mean a few hours after submitting a hit? A few minutes? I've been doing batch hits for a requester with a 3.01 promptness rating and my hits have been approved the next day. 2. Does mturk take a percentage of what I make? On microworkers, you need a minimum of $9 before withdrawing funds to Dwolla or Paypal and there's a 6.50% fee on top of that 3. Do we get 1099s? If not, how much do you stash away for taxes? 10%? 20%? When you've reported the income, is it from Amazon or mturk.com? Thanks in advance and I look forward to turking with you!
Kerwin, Hello. I'm surprised that the moderators are at least not answering the introductions. What is the point of having them, if no one responds. Here are my answers to your questions. 1. The TO script usually tells the overall quality of a requester. Most hits, are never approved right away. I would say the hits that are approved away fall into the ten percent category. Most hits are usually approved within 24-48 hours. About 20 percent of the hits are approved in 4-7 days. The TO script allows us turkers to rate a hit, that they've never done before and share it with the community. This can include any interaction with the requester, the quality of their hit, the time, the payout and son on. 2. Mturk does not take anything that you make. Every hit that you do and is accepted, you're paid for if the requester deems your work as acceptable. You have to make at least ten dollars in order to have it withdrawn to your bank account. Amazon does not charge any fees, if you're in the US. Other fees would depend on your banking institution. 3. Once you reach the $500 mark on Mturk, you will be required to do file taxes after anything on 500 or more. Amazon makes you sign that as soon as your register. Further inquiries about this matter can be found at amazon.com PS microworkers sucks. From my own past experience. I've been a turker since 09. I would recommend the doing the hits that pay the most, but also only do the ones that your fast at. The point of doing these types of hits is to make a profit, for something that is extra. Paying a bill, saving for a trip..etc..etc. If you're spending more than two hours a day online and only making two or three dollars, something is wrong. MOney can be made on Mturk, if you play your cards right. Meego
Hey Meego, Thanks for the answers! Very helpful. I think I'm getting the hang of turking. I've been doing batch jobs almost exclusively for now because I actually enjoy looking at the images. After crunching some prelimary numbers I could stand to make double or triple what I make a week on microworkers. I will keep doing microworkers however because it's funding my retirement. Thanks again!
Hi Kerwin, 1. 5/5 in promptness is the max score as rated by the individual user based on his/her experience at the time of rating. Requesters are given 30 days by Amazon to reject or approve HITs, so it's up to each Worker how to score in this category. 2. mTurk takes a 10% commission from Requesters (minimum $0.005, or half-a-cent) which will not affect the Pay Amount listed in HIT listings 3. Amazon will send a 1099 to the IRS and to you if you exceed $599.99 in earnings from a single Requester or $19,999.99 from Amazon Payments. 15.3% of net profits will be taxed. If you made over $399.99 in self-employment (ie mTurk) you have to attach Schedule SE to your 1040 (which you file every year you make income). Absolutely disregard any advice implying you have no tax obligations until an X amount.
Thanks, adaaam! Very useful tax info to keep in mind. I was actually thinking off putting away about 18%. Nice to know I can stash a little less.