If you search tax here in the forums, you’ll see my researched and cited posts on S/E taxes.
For those in states without a statutory fee, I would look for a comparative fee in another state (e.g.; $2 per notary act in NY). It’s generally to your benefit to find the state with the largest fees. Exempting the full fee is probably asking for trouble (although COVID-19 and effective budget reductions of 20% over the last 10 years, adjusted for inflation, have substantially reduced the probability of random exam or audit).
Last point… S/E taxes (and/or using the ‘farm method’ to compute them) are used in qualifying for, and accruing larger, SS benefits over lifetime employment. If this is a sideline, no problem; if this is your primary work, it’s worth some investigation.
If NSA work is your primary income, it might be worthwhile to have a consultation with a tax professional to make sure you’re effectively accruing SS benefits.
Not sure what all those numbers are that are appearing as a link…but
what hbleiwas was referring to citing $2/notary in NY was the statutory notary fee that is exempt from SE taxes - as a Signing Agent, none of your SA income is exempt from SE taxes.
I agree with the math done but as a newbie I feel I should take anything offered just to get experience. It’s been 2 weeks and I’ve only recieved 1 text from an agency for $75 and I took it. Luckily I was awarded. I want to stay in this game and be patient but it can get frustrating. Any advice is appreciated too!
I’m on 4 different agency sites, trying to work directly with title companies too.
Anyone expecting a signing service to take a loss just so that they can have a gain will be on here for a long time to come complaining about fees, because that’s not how business (or economics for that matter) works! If one can take take the same time and energy and put it into their business operations, then they could make ALL fees work for them. This concept is like the person who drove 20 miles to save 5 cents per gallon on gas because you thought 5 cents higher was too much. You might feel better, but you actually took a loss (economically) in this case.
I’ve never had to scan back a full package, only a few essential docs. Just out of curiosity hat happens if an original document gets jammed and messed up? Have you had this happen? Do you have to go back and get it re-signed?
I suggest the same as Hugo, market yourself by going to as many local companies as possible that use notaries. Offer to pick up rather than print packages. I’ve done a lot of attorney signings where you don’t print either.
Most of my scanbacks are when it’s an appointment after 5pm or when I won’t be able to make shipping same day. Some require only critical docs, but I do come across a few that want the entire package faxed. I’ve even had a few ask for scanbacks when I am sending docs same day which is kind of irritates me, but they usually pay extra for the scanbacks. So far I haven’t had any major jams with scanbacks. I flatten it out as much as I can and re-scan. I’ve only had one time where it jammed sorta bad, but I was able to smooth it out and it didn’t really ruin anything. I sent the docs off. I guess if it was unreadable, I would contact the company and ask what they would like me to do. Going back would be a pain in the backside, but I guess it’s gonna happen every so often.
I just bought the Brother L6200DW about a month ago and it’s super fast. I love it because it takes high yield toner cartridges that print up to 12,000 pages and it’s a dual printer. I appears to be a few years old, but I got it from Staples for $219. Amazon had it for $301, but I just checked and they have it for $219 now. Holds a lot of paper too. No scanning capabilities, but I already have 2 scanners. I highly recommend this printer. I can print a whole 150-160 page doc package in about 4 minutes. It does jam sometimes, like all printers but super easy to remove the jam.
Yes, brother printers are super easy to clear jams. I’ve never had mine serviced and it’s 12 years old! I have a MFC-8480DN, so I’ve been able to copy, fax & scan. I do use my scanner all the time. I never had the need for a separate scanner, but then I rarely do fax backs.
I buy toner from Staples, they reward me with free stuff and rebates. But, if do not count those freebies and rebates, a high yield toner for 2,800 pages costs $85 (rounded to the highest).
300 pages per one order = 9 orders. $10 per order (rounded)
Paper. I buy them by boxes. Free delivery to the door. 10 reams/500 sheet each box. Without freebies and rebates it is $87 for 5000 of letter size & 5000 for legal size. 10000 sheets = 33 orders. $3 per order. But 10 reams of the legal size lasts much longer and costs more than 10 reams of the letter size. But I am not taking it under consideration here.
Call the signers, confirm appointment, print out the docs, meet the clients, drive back home, scan - usually it all takes 4 hours for me. 4x$15 = $60.
HP printer with 35 sheet feeder costed me $260, I am using it second year. Last year I have made 130 signings (not my full time job). The printer expense was $2 per order but I use a lot of the printer for my other job.
I have paid $70 for background check and CE. That is 5 cents per order. I wont even count that.
So one average order costs me $10/toner + $3/paper + $5/gas + $2/printer = $20.
$125 order minus $20 expenses = $100 per 4 hours ($25 an hour). Rounded.
And I still have 20 hours a day left to do my other stuff.
If you only got 304 pages out of a full black cartridge, then you need to get your money back for it. You should be getting around 3000 pages out of a cartridge.
people have been giving me advice about toner and cartridges and is not me asking 
still thanks for the advices 
