dilemma

<p>ive been working at a small business for the past six months, and have been paid sub-minimum wage wages and under the table. can i put this business on my basic college application as work experience if i wont have any tax returns for my financial aid form?</p>

<p>You can describe yourself as a contractor, and file your taxes as self-employed. It isn’t that hard to do. Visit [Internal</a> Revenue Service](<a href=“http://www.IRS.gov%5DInternal”>http://www.IRS.gov) and look up the forms for self-employment. Lots of people have self-employment income.</p>

<p>But really, try to convince your employer to put you on the payroll. If you would get hurt on the job, as things stand now, you wouldn’t be covered by workman’s compensation, and it would be a huge insurance headache for your employer.</p>

<p>Someone else might have a different opinion, but I don’t think those two things are tied together. Unless you earn over a certain amount, you don’t need to file tax returns anyway. However, happymomof1 is right. You shouldn’t be working under the table.</p>

<p>I agree with Itparent. You can list the job. I suggest you get a calender and note approximately how much time you worked there and what you earned. Also write down the name of some of your managers so they can vouch for you. This is important for when you look for a job.</p>

<p>I realize that no one should be working under the table for a number of reasons, but in NYC, for example, many of the jobs, particularly in the restaurant industry work that way. YOU should keep record as I suggested above and if you earned over a certain amount, you should be reporting it for tax purposes. If you can find a legal job, do so. But by all means, keep your nose clean in reporting the income. Right now, it doesn’t seem to be any big deal, but if you get an opportunity to work for someplace that will scrutinize your employment record and your taxes, it can be an issue. One of mine is doing work for the FIDC, and they wanted every week of time accounted for and they did call every single employer and verify nearly everything. My friend’s son who is under consideration for a job with a major firm is undergoing the same sort of thing. This is when these little cheats that “everyone” is doing can come a bite you in the backside.</p>