How To Get Paid

[edit] Step 1: Learn About The Payment Structure

1. Mahalo Greenhouse Guides and Mahalo Mentors are paid as follows:
   1. Mahalo Greenhouse Guides are paid for the search results pages (SeRPs) they create that are accepted for use on the Mahalo.com website. Each SeRP is paid at the rate stipulated on the Most Wanted List at the time of acceptance. To see a list of your accepted SeRPs, visit your Greenhouse profile page and click "Terms Accepted To Mahalo."
   2. Mahalo Mentors and Mentor Directs are paid for the SeRPs they have accepted to Mahalo.com, as above. They are also compensated half the amount of the price of each reviewed SeRP as stated on the Most Wanted List.
2. For all freelance contractors, Mahalo distributes payments by the end of the month for SeRPs accepted, QCs completed, or other work completed to Mahalo's expectations in the previous calendar month.

[edit] Step 2: Complete The Contract

• Before you can be paid for the accepted SeRPs you create, you must complete the Master SeRP Purchase Agreement (MSPA) and send the entire agreement to Mahalo.com. You will not be paid for your work until we receive your Master SeRP Purchase Agreement completely and correctly filled out.

1. Download the MSPA here.
2. The MSPA is in Portable Document Format (PDF) and requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader to open and print. You might have this free software on your computer. If not, you can download it here.
3. Print the MSPA.
4. The MSPA is consists of four pages with six places that require information from you:
   1. Date: This is the date you fill out the MSPA. Please use MM/DD/YYYY (12/01/2007, for example.)
   2. Your Full Legal Name: This is your full name. Do not use a pseudonym, nickname, or Internet User Name.
   3. Your User ID Number: Your UID is the number associated with your user account on the Mahalo Greenhouse site. To find your UID:
      1. On the Greenhouse site, go to a SeRP you have authored.
      2. Scroll to the bottom of the page.
      3. You will see "This search result page was written by," your avatar icon, and a green link to your Profile Page. Click the link.
      4. Once your Profile Page loads into the web browser, check the browser address bar on the top of the browser window. You should see a link like this: http://greenhouse.mahalo.com/Special:Mahaloprofile?uid=8 In this example, "8" is the UID.
      5. Enter the UID on line 3 of the MSPA.
   4. Line four is exactly the same as line 3.
   5. On the Signature Page:
      1. Write your signature where "Seller" is indicated.
      2. If you are under the age of 18, your parent or legal guardian must print and sign their name next to "By." If you are 18 years old or older, do not write anything here.
      3. Print your primary mailing address where it says "Address."
      4. You do not need to fill out the right side of the signature page.
   6. Attachment 1 is completed exactly the same as step 3, above.
5. Please review your MSPA. Have you filled out every section according to the instructions? Is your writing neat and legible? The Mahalo Greenhouse is not responsible for errors resulting from illegible information. If we cannot read your writing, you risk delaying your payments. Please make sure you complete the form as neatly as possible.
6. If you would like a signed copy of the MSPA, please send two original copies via postal mail to the address below.

[edit] Step 3: Tax Forms

• Mahalo.com is required to report to the IRS what we pay our Greenhouse Guides. Whether or not you intend or need to declare your Greenhouse income on your tax return, you must complete and submit the necessary tax form to Mahalo.

1. If you are a United States citizen, you need to submit a W9 form:
   1. Download the W9 form here.
   2. The W9 form is a PDF file. See Step 2, part two, above, for how to read PDFs.
   3. The W9 form includes instructions. Please read them thoroughly if you are unsure of how to complete the W9.
   4. You must complete the W9 form on your computer. Hand-written forms will not be accepted. After completing the form on your computer, you will need to print it to add your signature.
   5. Be sure to save the W9 file after you complete it on your computer.
2. If you are a citizen of a country other than the United States and you do not pay taxes in the United States, you need to submit a W8-BEN form:
   1. Download the W8-BEN form here.
   2. Download the W8-BEN instructions here if you are unsure of how to complete the W8-BEN.
   3. You must complete the W8-BEN form on your computer. Hand-written forms will not be accepted. After completing the form on your computer, you will need to print it to add your signature.
   4. Be sure to save the W8-BEN file after you complete it on your computer.
3. If you change your address or name, you must complete and submit a new W9 or W8-BEN form.

[edit] Step 4: Choose A Method Of Payment

We offer several different ways to compensate Greenhouse Guides. All payments are made in United States dollars.

1. Direct Deposit, also called Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment is our preferred method of payment and takes priority over PayPal and printed checks. With Direct Deposit, money owed is transfered to the Greenhouse Guide's bank account. The transfer typically appears in your bank account within twenty four hours of being processed. There are no fees and no paper checks to get lost in the mail or take to the bank. If you have a bank account in the United States you are strongly encouraged to select Direct Deposit.
   1. Download the Direct Deposit Authorization form here.
   2. The Direct Deposit Authorization form is a PDF file. See Step 2, part two, above, for how to read PDFs.
   3. You must complete the Direct Deposit Authorization form on your computer. Hand-written forms will not be accepted. You will need to print it to add your signature.
   4. Be sure to save the file after you complete it on your computer.
   5. How to fill out the Direct Deposit Authorization form:
      1. Select New Agreement if you have never applied for Direct Deposit with us.
      2. Select Change Account if you currently have Direct Deposit with us and want to change to a different account.
      3. Select Cancel Agreement if you want to stop the Direct Deposit. By default, future payments will be made by check unless you indicate otherwise.
      4. Designate your bank account as either Checking or Savings.
      5. Complete the Name, Branch name or location, City, State, and ZIP Code of your bank.
      6. Provide your bank's Transit Number (also called an ABA or Routing Number.) This number is always 9 digits.
      7. Provide your Bank Account Number.
      8. To assist you, examine a check or savings deposit slip. A mock check is illustrated on the Direct Deposit Authorization form as an example of where the Transit and Bank Account Numbers are located.
      9. Print your name as it appears on your bank account.
      10. Print your UID. If your primary work is done in the Greenhouse (Greenhouse Guides, Mentors, and Mentor Directs) then use your Greenhouse UID. If your primary work is done on Mahalo.com, use your Mahalo.com UID. Note that your UID is not your Username -- see the instructions on the MSPA for how to find your UID.
      11. Print the sheet
      12. Sign your signature
      13. Write the date on which you complete the form.
2. PayPal. This is an online payment transfer service that enables nearly anyone with an e-mail address to send and receive money to and from dozens of countries. Please see http://www.paypal.com for more details. After Direct Deposit, this is the most efficient way to be paid. To receive compensation via PayPal:
   1. Indicate that you would like to use PayPal when you send you MSPA and tax documents to the Greenhouse.
   2. Indicate the e-mail address you have associated with your PayPal account, either in the body of your email, the cover of your fax, or in writing in the envelope you mail. See Deliver Your Paperwork, below, for more details.
   3. Mahalo.com is not responsible for potential fees charged by PayPal. Please consult PayPal for more details.
3. Bank Check. Payment by check is the default payment method. It is also the slowest, depends on the postal service, requires you to travel to the bank or an ATM, and could require a waiting period between when you deposit the check and when the money is available to you. Check payments are processed after Direct Deposits and PayPal payments. We do not recommend payment by check unless Direct Deposit and PayPal are unavailable to you. No action is required to be paid by check.

[edit] Step 5: Deliver Your Paperwork

• We must receive your paperwork before we can process payments for you. Please have your paperwork to us before the 25th of the month if you would like to be included in that month's payment cycle.
• There are three ways to send your paperwork, listed in order of preference:

1. Scan the paperwork and send it via e-mail to contracts@mahalo.com. If you would like to use PayPal, please indicate your PayPal e-mail address in the body of the e-mail message.
2. Fax the paperwork to 1-310-388-0993. If you would like to use PayPal, please indicate your PayPal e-mail address on a cover sheet. Please make sure that your fax machine is in good working order and delivers clean, crisp faxes. Mahalo.com is not responsible for errors or delays resulting from illegible or unreadable faxes.
3. Mail the paperwork. If you would like to use PayPal, please indicate your PayPal e-mail address on a note. Mail to:
   • Mahalo.com
   • Attention: Greenhouse Paperwork
   • 902 Colorado Avenue
   • Santa Monica, CA 90401-2717
4. We cannot automatically confirm that we received your paperwork. If you require confirmation, please e-mail contracts@mahalo.com. You will receive confirmation when we process your paperwork. Please use the following format in the subject line:
   • Confirm Delivery FirstName LastName UID
   • For example:
     • Confirm Delivery Nate Charters 1985

[edit] Step 6: How To Change Your Information

• If you move, change your name, your e-mail address, or your bank, you may need to change your records with the Greenhouse.

1. We require a new W9 or W8-BEN form if you change your name or physical address. Please re-submit the form according to the instructions listed above.
2. We require a new Direct Deposit Authorization form if you change banks, bank accounts, or wish to have your payment deposited to a different account. Please re-submit the form according to the instructions listed above.
3. If you are using PayPal with us and change the e-mail address associated with your PayPal account, please e-mail contracts@mahalo.com and advise us of the change.

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