SIDE GIG I’m a tech pro – you can earn up to $200 an hour for testing tools online, and all you need is your phone

MORE and more Americans are taking up side hustles as inflation pushes up the cost of living.

In fact, 22% of households have started a side hustle or second job recently, according to a new survey by Financebuzz.

Meanwhile, more than one in five (23%) think they will have to work until they die. 

If you’re looking to make some extra cash, a self-proclaimed “tech nerd” on TikTok has shared a simple way to earn $200 an hour.

New York-based Nik Pollina, 29, said: “I’m a user experience researcher and as part of my job, I used something called usability tools.

“The thing about usability tools is that we need actual people to test our products.”

The products can be real items, websites, apps and more, which is where you come in.

Nik said there’s a variety of different tools to sign up for that’ll give you money to test the items.

The tests can last from just five to 30 minutes, meaning you don’t need to have a lot of time.

Nik added: “They’ll pay you anywhere from $5 to up to $200 an hour.

“I really don’t know why more people don’t do this, it’s all on your phone.”

She went on to recommend the following sites:

• Usertesting.com
• UserZoom
• Maze
• Respondent
• UserFeel
• Testing Time
• TryMyUI
• Validate my

Nik added in the comments section that her aunt says three separate sites UserInterviews, UserCrowd and Branded Surveys pay the best.

While another follower commented: “As a UX researcher, thank you. I need more participants!!”

Before you sign up for anything, make sure to do your own research.

Tax rules of a side hustle

Whether you work a side hustle in addition to a full-time job or juggle multiple part-time gigs, your earnings are taxable.

Not only that, but you need to report your earnings from a side hustle or freelance job differently than you report standard income.

A Form 1040 is required for those with multiple sources of income, as you have to list all your income on a single form.

In addition, you’ll need to file a Schedule C and a Form SE to report your self-employment taxes.

If you have multiple streams of income, speaking to a tax professional can help you sort out what forms you need to submit and how to properly fill them out.

The additional income may also move your household into a different tax bracket, which will impact how much you have to pay the IRS.

Working a side hustle does allow you to claim more exemptions on your taxes, however, as you can report your expenses for potential tax deductions.

You’ll need to have proof of the money you spent on your side hustle though, so make sure to keep any relevant receipts for tax season.

For those looking for other side hustles to make some extra money, here is how you can make $10,000 in a month on Amazon.

There are even ways to make big money from thrifting old and used clothes and accessories.