Okay new to mTurk, if you saw my other posts you know this. Just got prompted to put my tax information in which I did via social security number. I'm young, never did taxes in my life and know nothing about them, with stressful events going on I honestly don't want to deal with it or worry about it. I own a small business on Ebay, but I don't make enough yearly to report it to the IRS. So, how much money can I make on mTurk within a years time period before I have to report it? Also another question which isn't tax related (figured I'd squeeze it in the same post)- I'm not too well with writing essays and transcriptions, how strict the "bosses" are, are pretty intimidating, it seems like everything has to be perfect. I want to take a shot, but I'm nervous that everything I do will get rejected and then I'll look terrible to other "companies"... Any suggestions? I know at least someone felt the same way I do when starting out.
You must file a tax return if you had net earnings from self-employment of $400 or more. [From the IRS website] As for transcriptions and writing, I know there are people here who can help you out better than I can. I do home inspection transcriptions through SpeechInk and a few here and there for ClariTrans. Honestly, I get a bit intimidated by the various style guides and I'm not confident enough to try remembering them all so I just do the simple ones. I am still 'hoping' to someday tackle some of the writing HITs but for now.. nah. I have done loads of writing over the years but.. well to be blunt it was 'adult oriented' so, I'm not really comfortable trying my hand at article writing. I like my 99.8% approved, I'm not willing to risk it yet on a writing HIT. I just keep telling myself one of these days LOL Oops.. I rambled a little. I have the tendency to do that sometimes lol Good luck with Turking, I happen to love it [most of the time!].
I recommend doing work from trusted requesters for a little while. You can find threads about them here, and use TurkOpticon. I don't use it but that's because I mostly work for one requester. Build up your HITs approved and you won't have to worry about a stray rejection once in a while. If you want to start transcription - I do recommend CastingWords. You're qualified with a score of 80 once you request and there's usually something to work on with that qualification. If you listen to the audio, try to go by the style guide, and don't try to cheat, you probably won't be rejected. You may not get a bonus right off the bat, but you'll have a transcription under your belt. I recommend short, clear audio at the start. If you don't understand what's being said - return the HIT. It makes things a lot less stressful when you give yourself the chance to say no to some pieces and give yourself some time to get familiar with the style guide.
Thank you both so much for the information. I'm not much of a writer and sometimes I'll overlook the smallest things, especially right now since I'm going on well over 24 hours of sleep. And $400 seems a bit low to be reported to the IRS, but then again I don't know much about that stuff. I know with Ebay It's a couple grand or use to be anyways.
I'm not sure if Ebay is different, I'm assuming not but I don't know much about taxes which is why I pay someone else to do them for me LOL But I know my income last year was awful and I hoped I wouldn't have to file.. but sadly I did. I originally thought the amount was $600 until someone kindly linked me the same info I just gave you.
Wow if so I totally did not do taxes last year D: Guess it's not that big of a deal considering they haven't contacted me.
LOL Knowing the IRS they'll wait like 5 years down the road and then send you a letter about the back taxes you owe from 2012!
$600 is the point where the employer has to report your earnings to the IRS. That's why they ask for your social once you make more than $600 in a year. Of course it's the individual requesters who report how much they paid you to the IRS, not Amazon. So if you haven't done at least $600 work for one requester they won't report your earnings to the IRS and you will not get your W2. Since requesters don't report those who earn less than $600 in a year that could theoretically allow you to get away without reporting that part of the income. Not that I'm suggestive you shouldn't.
If that's the case I probably wont, I know it's highly frowned upon but if I'm not forced to why do it? I probably sound like the worst person ever, but I'm just being honest. If they want their money bad enough when the time comes they'll get it, but if no one presses for it then I'll keep it.. Makes sense.
Requesters like Real Estate Research will cut you off from doing their HITs if you get near the threshold - RER cuts you off at $500. My tax lady told me that it's $600 per employer, so it would depend on how much you make for each requester. There's no way to prove your income if they don't send official W2s. And if you never want to pay taxes in your life, only work at a company until you reach $600 then move to the next one Again.. just going by what my tax lady told me for my personal circumstances. If you're really concerned, you can talk to a tax pro like H&R Block.
Thank you for the suggestions! I'm sure there are a lot of people who are like "Pay your taxes or you're a shitty person".. But the government gets enough money from me so you best believe if there's away around it, I'll get around it. If some how I get in trouble, then I'll pay the damn taxes..
Aranda, your PDA pic is embarassing me and all the people who are ogling into my computer here. Can you change that pic of yours. Hehe
Wha? Are you saying my display picture is embarrassing you? How would a picture of me kissing my HUSBAND on the cheek be embarrassing to you or anyone else? I will NOT change it, there is nothing wrong with it..If I'm breaking some type of rule for this forum please let me know and I will deactivate my account immediately.
You are not breaking any rules and there is nothing wrong with your picture. You don't have to change it anyway. Just don't mind the occasional trolls which may appear in all communities. Cheers..
Hopefully this is a joke. I'll assume by the 'hehe' that it is supposed to be a funny haha. If it's not.. it's rather rude asking someone to change an obviously innocent [and sweet, I might add] picture.
Nothing wrong with you kissing your husbands but it's just that our Indian relatives here are a bit conservative and they see everything in a very different manner. Hehe.
But she is not in India and she should not be made to feel unwelcome here because someone gets offended over something extremely TRIVIAL. If her picture is that much of an 'embarrassment' or distraction for you and others looking at your computer perhaps you could simply go into your settings and turn off the ability to view pictures.
Well I'm in America and I find your comment ridiculous. Your beliefs are your beliefs. But I love my husband very much and I'm not ashamed of it. My avatar picture is one of my most favorite pictures of us. Everyone has different beliefs, but if my picture offended you or anyone else, I can't help to wonder why you're on the internet then. There are far more worst things that just pop up randomly. Thank you everyone for informing me that I'm not breaking any rules, I do apologize if I'm coming off a bit rude. Never had anyone complain over a kissing picture, let alone a kiss on the cheek.
Well some of our American relatives (myself included) may see your comment in a very different manner. One of a condescending and disturbing manner to be exact. BTW... unlike Aranda.... I don't really give a shit if I come off sounding rude.