If the only driving you are doing (on a given day) is for mystery shopping, then you start at your front door and you end at your front door. If you are doing mystery shopping on the way home from your "normal" job, you can only deduct mileage in excess of your normal commuting mileage.

@Shoptosay1 wrote:

Can you count mileage from your front door or do you have to go to the first location and then count mileage? I have been confused by that I guess and never wanted to "cheat" anyone. And NO, I don't want to give the government ANY money LOL.

When I started shopping I already had a checking account I had used for a previous business. All of my mystery shop earnings go into that (including what I sweep from PayPal). It makes it easy to figure out exactly how much I've brought in.

@Shoptosay1 wrote:

I deposit in the joint checking account but have never said I just put in x amount of dollars today. I don't know why I haven't and maybe that is why he doesn't think I make anything. lol.

Thank you!

That's is a good idea. I might have to pick up a shop and get a new account lol.

You may consider meeting with a tax professional to discover what deductions will be applicable (or best) in your case. You can decide later if to do your own taxes (TurboTax Business walks you right thru it all) or by a professional. For example, many shoppers deduct mileage. I'm lucky in that I don't have to do a lot of distance driving, so the 'actual expense' method (gas that is not reimbursed, oil changes, vehicle repairs, parts like bulbs and wipers), insurance, among other things, generally works best for me. Another example that may apply to you are supplies needed to perform your work, such as, printer paper (if you print guidelines, authorization forms for the client to sign, or some shops have you print a document to leave behind). There are a lot of things to explore on the deductions front. Once you know what makes the best sense for your business, then the saving receipts and keeping records will come automatically.

Thank you for your insight. I do have an accountant I work with for other things. I asked her briefly, and she told me save everything I spend on my business, right down to the paperclips. I think I am going to hire her for next year!

Perfect. You are on the road to discovery !

@Shoptosay1 wrote:

Thank you for your insight. I do have an accountant I work with for other things. I asked her briefly, and she told me save everything I spend on my business, right down to the paperclips. I think I am going to hire her for next year!

People who give attitude about one's legal work (or anything else) - be they relatives or not - are not friends. They are people to shed. Life is too short to have it burdened by anyone with attitude.

When I first started MSing my wife didn't oppose it but she just sort of humored me. Then one day we went to the bank so I could add her to a savings account that I had opened on a shop. In the course of the conversation with the bank rep the balance came up and I could tell she was surprised. The banker left the desk to get copies and I said, "You thought I was doing this for nickels and dimes"? and she said, "Yeah".
I'm not getting rich, and I couldn't make a living at it, but she has been on board ever since.

@Shoptosay1 wrote:

That's is a good idea. I might have to pick up a shop and get a new account lol.

I saw a $100 account openning shops for Wells Fargo the other day... just sayin'

I started mystery shopping because I was disabled and couldn't go back to fixing cars, It took me a while to me a while to figure out how to make it pay so that I can survive. I can't say that my family gives a d*** one way or the other. My children are grown, one of my parents is dead and the other doesn't care, my sister is probably watching on the sidelines waiting for me to fail so she can feel superior. But it doesn't really matter, I've got all of them blocked so they don't have any access to me or my lifestyle.

And you all wonder why I say that I am naturally paranoid..

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2022 09:17PM by Morledzep.

BirdyC, I am a CPA and I really don't think you need to use a professional tax preparer since all they are doing is taking the work you have already prepared and putting it on a form. If you can accurately complete Mystery Shopping forms, you can do your own taxes. Based on your comments, it sounds like you know how to account for you own expenses and do your own taxes.

Get a separate bank account, in your name only, and put all your MS earnings there. See how he likes it when the extra money isn't around. (I find that people who exchange "knowing" glances often "know" nothing at all!)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2022 10:49PM by chrisg0619.

freetaxusa is a great site to do your own taxers. It is free for federal including self business and schedule c. State cost me like $15 to file for NY.

You know it!

I retired from my full time job early thanks to mystery shopping. I stopped discussing what I do a long time ago. Sometimes you have to hustle in silence to be successful.

Honestly, I am trying to wrap my head around this. YOU RETIRED EARLY! That is so fabulous. I told my husband in a recent conversation, that I believe I could make a decent income from doing this. I have a unique opportunity of being on both sides of our state and surrounding areas monthly, There are A LOT of mystery shops that I could pick up on my way back and forth. I also have 4 decently sized cities within a few hours of me. You are right, it depends on the hustle. My kids are now grown so nothing holding me back!

@Angelbug wrote:

I retired from my full time job early thanks to mystery shopping. I stopped discussing what I do a long time ago. Sometimes you have to hustle in silence to be successful.

I love what you said. "Sometimes you have to hustle in silence to be successful."

Im wondering if i am replying correctly. ????????

Just show them several 1099s over a $1000 on each one, and they may shut up. If you do not do enough shopping for one company to get that much then just show them the tax return for the last several years.

Facts are not important to my hubby. He hazes. He does not know how to do anything else. Ironically, he recently became unemployed and available for unemployment insurance, other work, and-- get this-- mystery shops! He said "mystery shops" with an amazed expression and a smidgen of awe in his voice. Bwahaha!

BircyC, below this post, was talking about their tax preparation professional (I think). I appreciate my tax guy, too. I have not been able to break through and achieve some elevated status or high earnings, but I have learned something each year from him. Life itself is more hindrance than help for me and all work. Tax guy is more encouragement than anyone else.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/18/2022 06:58PM by Shop-et-al.

Nope. Because he doesn't just enter my numbers into forms. Once he runs the numbers, he figures out what should be amortized and what should be taken as a 100% deduction in that year, whether or not I can take my percentage of the utilities, and so on. He's so inexpensive that it would take me more of my time to do the work myself than to pay him. It's more cost and time effective for me to pay him, and he knows what he's doing much more than I do! Seriously. He's worth every single dime we pay him. He does our joint return as well, and when our kids were younger, he knew what we could claim and what we couldn't, advised us on student status tax laws, and so on.

When he doesn't know something, he says so, and he finds out the answers. That in and of itself speaks volumes to me about his character and his competence. Nobody knows everything, and someone who's not afraid to say, "I'm not sure, but I'll find out" is a real professional, in my mind.

If he were charging me hundreds and hundreds of dollars or a thousand bucks, I'd feel differently. But, thankfully, he doesn't!

Shoptosay1, if it's business related...it's business related.

Doesn't matter if it's down the block or across the state, those are business generated miles.

This is my 3rd year of retirement and I love it. I have a nice flow of shops that I do.

opps I was trying to reply to @Shoptosay1

I don’t think that I’ll ever stop mystery shopping, even though I’ve decided to go back to full-time teaching this Fall. I like having up to a thousand extra dollars put aside for my grandkids’ college fund, family vacations, and other luxuries. Just one $50 shop on my commute home from teaching gets me an extra $1,000 monthly to sock away or splurge. It’s the easiest part-time job ever.

@Shoptosay1 wrote:

I have hesitated to share this, as it is very hurtful and personal. My family doesn't really support my "jobs." Though I have been shopping for at least 15 years and you would think that they would be on board by now. My husband calls them a waste of time and why don't I just get a real job. (Though we have two houses that we spend equal time in, hundreds of miles a part, so how that would work, I have no idea.) Since gas has gone up, it seems to be even worse. With our unique situation, I told him I looked at neighboring areas (within 150 miles each) and there were so many opportunities that I felt I could build a really great route shopping opportunity and he was not supportive of that. The way he presents Mystery shopping or the Merchandising work I do to family and friends, makes them "smile politely" or exchange glances and smirks. The friends don't really know about the Mystery shopping work to be clear, but they do know about the Merchandising I have done for years. I used to do that kind of work for a retail store, ordering, etc. so that is really "up my alley." I don't make a fortune at this, that is true, but I have done this to supplement our income when our kids were at home. It has afforded a lot of the extras. Now, the kids are both in college and this area has grown so much I want to really invest in it. I think it could be a great success with the growth capability and the fact I can literally shop 5 states within my area. What has been your experience? I am curious if this is just mine or if we all get those little smirks from people who do not know a thing about this type of work. Thanks for letting me vent. My plan is to be a RAGING success and then they will need to step it all back.

Hi Shoptosay:

I don't know what to make of your situation but I can tell you what I have experienced from the mystery shopping. I lost my first wife in 2009 and my second to covid in 2020. Both were very traditional women. The first wife supported my mystery shopping "habit" greatly as we lived in Houston and I could make some serious coin if I wished--10 to 20 shops a week if I wanted. My second wife lived in South Texas and I moved to the Coastal Bend around 2014 to be with her. There aren't many shops down this way so I stopped doing them. While I was doing a few, her attitude was less than supportive although she wasn't overtly against me doing them. She would caution me to not tell people I did these shops. Anyway, my new girlfriend was one of the early adopters to the gig economy where I feel Mystery Shopping most correctly belongs so she is interested in doing some shops herself even. So I've seen it from my partner being pro, sort-of-against and enthusiastically support.

As for your situation, I can't imagine how distressing it is (I won't say painful) that you are not being supported in what you want to do. As long as it is not amoral, illegal, or dangerous, I'd expect my spouse and family to either keep their objections to themselves or support me. But that's just me.

The experience I have since I have told my co-workers at my "real job" about my mystery shopping exploits ranges from apathy to a few thinking its a scam--like I am trying to get them to join Amway or something. I haven't tried to recruit anyone but I mention what I do and how I haven't paid for an oil change or car wash in months and they don't ask how. Oh well. I don't push it.

I wish you all the success but more importantly--all of the happiness in the world. At the end of the day, the person you see in the mirror is the only one to whom you're accountable.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply and my condolences on the loss of your loved ones. I have been researching a lot, figuring out shops and companies I can turn into a "route." I have a few things I am finishing up regarding some estate business of my deceased parents and their company. That should take another month or so and then I am a "free agent" I believe the skies the limit and I LOVE THE GIG ECONOMY. It is a real testament to your own efforts reaping you the rewards. I am no longer caring what others think, because frankly it is strange. My husband is a great success in his career, and honestly, I think it is about me being there to be the more traditional wife 24/7. Of course, I will still care for both home and family, but I want to build something for myself! I am very happy for you that you found someone that is more like minded when it comes to the Gig Economy, just imagine the "vacation trips" you might be able to take, earning all the way!