How can I get paid to write and protect my privacy from clients?

February 13, 2013 6:19 PM

I want to only share my identity with the tax man when I write, and allow people to pay me online. How do I do this?

So I started providing free profile reviews (and writing) on a kink dating website. I am both a fairly good writer, patient and kink experienced enough to help nervous newbies get a better idea of the vocabulary of what they're looking for and how to go about asking for things like having a lady beat them.

And some of these people were grateful enough to offer compensation. And, as someone who writes professionally I kinda like getting paid. However there is always a chance that someone paying me will decide that they really, really want to get to know me.

So how do I set up a tip jar or flat rate system so they can get their receipt and I can get my small financial consideration without a deranged dude showing up at my doorstep? Bonus question- I'm pretty sure paypal might have a small issue with me using them to transfer funds if the service involves people getting 100-200 word blurbs on spanking or how they just want a nice middle class life with weekend bondage, so is there a better method for this that's classy an easy to use?

posted by anonymous to Work & Money (8 answers total)

Accept bitcoins.
posted by pompomtom at 6:26 PM on February 13, 2013

I don't see any reason why paypal would need to know the nature of the writings.
If you decide a flat rate, just create an invoice with whatever vague freelance writing gig description you like and have the client pay it.
posted by krix at 7:04 PM on February 13, 2013 [1 favorite]

If you wanted to be more complicated about it, you could setup an LLC as a pass through entity. This way the income passes through to you from the corporation, simplifying your tax situation. All the transactions take place under the name of the LLC.
posted by humanfont at 7:14 PM on February 13, 2013

Though be aware that you can look up the names of officers (ie you) and the address of a corporation (at least in some states). So if you set up a company you may have to take extra steps to maintain anonymity.
posted by zippy at 7:18 PM on February 13, 2013

I'm pretty sure paypal might have a small issue with me using them to transfer funds if the service involves people getting 100-200 word blurbs on spanking or how they just want a nice middle class life with weekend bondage

I can't speak to your primary question about keeping your real ID hidden from your customers while allowing them to pay online, but as to your bonus question, PayPal is going to have absolutely no interest in what you are doing, nor would they even ask, so I wouldn't worry about it from that angle.
posted by modernnomad at 7:22 PM on February 13, 2013

So, for those who don't know, Paypal has a well-documented history of erratic and unapologetic abuse of users whose income it deems porn-related or sex work-related. (Freezing accts and keeping large balances for months or years with no recourse.) PP absolutely has an "interest" and makes completely arbitrary judgments. I assume poster's concerned because of that reality.

And some people hate Paypal anyway (I don't myself, but in every context -- sexful or not -- I advise others that using PP as a sole payment method will, without question, cost them business sometimes).

I think humanfront's got a really interesting idea because an LLC could be useful for both tax and liability reasons.
posted by kalapierson at 11:44 PM on February 13, 2013 [1 favorite]

Here's Belle de Jour's account of how she managed exactly what you're talking about, at least for a while.
posted by emilyw at 3:22 AM on February 14, 2013

I've been very happy with WePay as an easy-to-use online payment system.
posted by rosa at 4:52 AM on February 14, 2013