BestMark requirements
Mystery shopping company: visit stores, restaurants, and dealerships and report on the experience. Free online application; shoppers work as independent contractors.
At a glance
Source: BestMark.
What you'll need
Before your first BestMark shift.
Never cash a check and send money back
Honest mystery shopping companies pay you; they never charge for training, certification, or job lists. If anyone sends you a check and asks you to buy gift cards or wire part of it back, it's a fake check scam. Find companies through the free MSPA directory and report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Source: FTC: Mystery shopping scams · MSPA Americas: Field talent FAQs
Set aside money for taxes
Nobody withholds taxes from contract pay. If your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more in a year, you owe self-employment tax of 15.3% (Social Security and Medicare) on top of regular income tax. You have to report all of it, even if the platform never sends you a 1099. Move a share of every payout into a separate account so the bill doesn't surprise you.
Source: IRS: Self-employment tax · IRS: Manage taxes for your gig work
Know the quarterly tax dates
Independent contractors may need to pay estimated taxes four times a year to avoid a penalty: April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. If a date lands on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. If you also have a regular W-2 job, you can have extra tax withheld from that paycheck instead, using a new Form W-4.
Keep receipts and payout records
Save receipts for work expenses (phone, gear, supplies, fees) and keep a record of every payout. Deductible expenses lower the tax you owe, but only if you can show them. A free spreadsheet works; so does a separate debit card used only for work costs.
Have a bank account or debit card ready
Platforms pay by direct deposit or to a debit card, and faster cash-out options usually need a debit card. Check the app's payout terms before your first cash-out, since instant transfers can carry a fee.
Get the monthly update
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BestMark questions
How old do you have to be to work for BestMark?
Does BestMark require a background check?
How fast does BestMark pay?
How much does BestMark pay?
Do you need a car for BestMark?
Is BestMark a W-2 job or independent contractor work?
Similar tasks & labor
Sources
Last checked November 2026. Requirements change often, so confirm with BestMark before you rely on them.