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Tasks & labor · Checked November 2026

Secret Hopper requirements

Mystery shopping at breweries and taprooms: visit, order, and file a report. No experience needed. Paid by PayPal or direct deposit after your report is approved.

Go to Secret Hopper ↗Compare with the quiz

At a glance

Source: Secret Hopper.

Minimum age
21
Background check
ID only
Vehicle
No vehicle
Payout
After review
Reported pay
$20–50 per visit
Worker type
Contractor

What you'll need

Before your first Secret Hopper shift.

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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.

    Source: IRS: Manage taxes for your gig work

  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.

    Source: IRS: Manage taxes for your gig work

  5. 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.

The full first-week checklist →

Secret Hopper questions

How old do you have to be to work for Secret Hopper?
21.
Does Secret Hopper require a background check?
No criminal background check is listed. Secret Hopper verifies your identity instead.
How fast does Secret Hopper pay?
After your report is reviewed and approved.
How much does Secret Hopper pay?
Reported pay is $20–50 per visit, according to Secret Hopper.
Do you need a car for Secret Hopper?
No. You don't need a vehicle for Secret Hopper.
Is Secret Hopper a W-2 job or independent contractor work?
Independent contractor work. Secret Hopper workers are contractors, so you cover your own expenses and set aside money for self-employment taxes.

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Sources

  1. Secret Hopper: Become a Secret Hopper
  2. Secret Hopper: FAQ

Last checked November 2026. Requirements change often, so confirm with Secret Hopper before you rely on them.