MS Notary Notary Fees and Compensation 3

Question 1

A Mississippi employer pays for an employee's notary commission and supplies. Who may keep fees collected during work hours?

Accepted Answer

The employer, if the notary and employer have agreed to that arrangement

Answer

An employer and employee-notary may agree that fees collected on the job belong to the employer.

Question 2

May a Mississippi employer require an employee-notary to notarize documents for customers free of charge?

Accepted Answer

Yes, an employer may direct that no fee be charged for business-related notarizations

Answer

Because fees are optional, an employer may lawfully instruct its notary employees to waive them.

Question 3

A client disputes the fee after the notarization is complete. What could the notary have done to avoid this situation?

Accepted Answer

Quoted and agreed on the fee before performing the act

Answer

Advance fee agreement prevents disputes and demonstrates fair dealing.

Question 4

How should a Mississippi notary treat notary fee income for tax purposes?

Accepted Answer

Report it as income, though self-employed notary fees are exempt from self-employment tax under federal law

Answer

Notary fees are taxable income, but federal law exempts them from self-employment tax.

Question 5

A signer offers a Mississippi notary a $100 tip to notarize a document for someone who is not present. The notary should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse, because no amount of compensation justifies violating personal appearance requirements

Answer

Compensation never excuses performing an unlawful notarization; the signer must personally appear.

(MS Notary) Mississippi Notary Exam Practice Test