Mystery shopping jobs are excellent sources of additional or side income. Mystery shoppers are self –employed professionals and are not bounded by any form of contract. They are free to join multiple mystery shopping companies and carry out several mystery shopping assignments depending on their capability. As mystery shoppers, individuals are subject to certain tax deductions based on their income. This is because they fall into the category of self- employed professionals, as mentioned earlier. Therefore, whatever equipments they use relevant to the business, the charges for all are deductible as per the Income Tax slab.
Different companies have different needs and accordingly they design their mystery shopping programs. They hire mystery shoppers, train them as per their requirements and provide them with proper guidelines before they start their assignments. As per company requirements, mystery shoppers can carry out the assignments in person, over the phone or online through the Internet. As such, the cost of gasoline for the vehicle used for travelling across the stores may be deductible when used for a mystery shopping job. In order to deduct the cost of gasoline, it is essential to save the receipts. If a mystery shopping assignment is done using the internet and/or telephone, a part or all of the cost of the computer, internet connection and/or a telephone line, are deductible.
Those mystery shoppers who work from home need to fill in questionnaires and submit them. This can either be a paper work or can be done online. In the former case, the cost of office supplies, like, pens, papers, office furniture or a fax machine, may be deductible.
Though mystery shoppers enjoy a plethora of exciting perks apart from their basic pay, they are deprived of other long term benefits, like the health and medical benefits, provident funds, etc. unlike other full-time job holders. Nonetheless, the benefits they enjoy during their assignments surpass any other privileges. It is imperative to mention here that mystery shoppers get to enjoy dinners with friends and family at expensive restaurants, watch the latest movies in multiplexes, get expensive skin or hair treatments done, go on small vacations with family – all for free!
Also, the fees paid for travel and memberships in conjugation with mystery shopping assignments are tax deductible. When the date of tax submission nears, it is necessary to have all the receipts organized for quick reference.
Apart from enjoying exciting perks and other benefits, mystery shoppers have ample scope to choose their convenient work hours and have total control over their daily, weekly or monthly income as they are free to choose to do the amount of work depending on their ability.
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