Q: I have heard of paid surveys, but I am still skeptical. Why would anyone pay me to take a survey?

A: The answer is very simple. Companies spend millions of dollars on advertising and, in order to promote their product or service properly, they must research the market and know whether or not it's worth their time and money. This is where paid surveys come in. Before they spend millions of dollars on advertising, many companies would rather pay some participants to voice their thoughts and opinions on a product and/or it's need.

Q: How will I know if a company offering online surveys is legitimate?

A: If a company promises you instant wealth, look out. The truth is that your own success is determined by the amount of time and effort that you put into the job and nothing more. A company cannot promise you overnight riches and, if they do, walk away. The only thing that will get you rich overnight is the lottery and everything else takes both time and work. Other signs that a paid surveys company may not be worth your time is if they have poor customer reviews and/or complaints lodged with the Better Business Bureau.

Q: I want to participate in paid surveys, but I'm not sure that I have the time. How long will it take?

A: The majority of paid surveys will take less than 15 minutes of your time and, best of all, you can complete them according to your schedule. Unlike a traditional job, you won't have a boss standing over your shoulder and waiting to growl at you if the work isn't done. If you don't have time, simply turn down the opportunity. You will still remain a member of the paid surveys website and will continue to receive surveys as they become available. When you work at home, you set the hours and you work as little or as much as you want.

Q: Will my income be taxable?

A: When you participate in online surveys regularly, you may need to pay taxes on the income. In most cases, you would be considered as self-employed and your income would be reported on Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ with the IRS. The marketing research company who provides the paid surveys will not typically withhold taxes, so it will be up to you to make sure that your income is properly reported as required.

Q: Will I be able to quit my day job and get rich with paid surveys?

A: Online surveys are not designed to make you rich, but they can provide you with a terrific source of supplemental income. Whether you need some extra money every month or you simply like having a few extra bucks in your wallet, participating in paid surveys may be well worth your time and effort. Because it lacks the common hassles associated with starting your own business and requires that you provide nothing more than your opinion, an opportunity to work with paid surveys may give your bank account a real boost.

The information contained in this article is designed to be used as reference purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional legal, tax or financial advice relating to paid surveys, online surveys or learning how to make money from home.