what s the difference between a referral fee and a kickback 
these terms can vary by business type but a referral fee that s paid between two licensed real estate professionals is legal in some states the fee is usually limited to no more than 25 of commissions and other restrictions apply a referral fee becomes a kickback and is illegal when it s paid by a real estate professional to a service provider 4the bottom lineit s illegal to pay or receive a kickback in the u s and this rule prevails over a wide range of industries and professions a kickback is a bid to receive preferential treatment and it doesn t necessarily have to be transmitted in the form of money it can be anything of value such as concert tickets that are impossible to buy on the legal market always ask questions if you spot any warning signs as a consumer or at the very least switch to another service provider of your own choosing 