Cheating

Hello,

I have a problem with my summer employers from last summer. They paid me "under the table" for three and half months last summer.

This year, 2 days before taxes were due, I received 1099s and a note apologizing for the lateness and the new need to file taxes due to fear of being audited.

I was being paid $400 per week even though I worked late nights and overtime frequently. I don't think it's fair that they are suddenly deciding to report my income as freelance contracting even though I never signed anything or agreed to it in the first place. I'm a student who was hired as a "summer intern", all parties agreed that it was supposed to be a learning experience for me, that's why I was paid so little to begin with. I would like to be filed as a W2, but I'm not sure what my rights are. When I brought up the fact that I wasn't able to plan or budget for these unexpected taxes, they asked that I "work off" the taxes. I don't think this is fair.

Please let me know what I can do in this situation.

Thanks, Viny


Hello Viny,

When you were growing up your mama probably told you: Don't cheat. It's wrong and you'll get in trouble. That's just what happened to you. And it could have been a lot worse.

Being paid, or paying someone else, under-the-table, off-the-books or in-the-parking-lot is fraud. You are hiding income. Breaking the law.

You said your summer job "was supposed to be a learning experience." It was more of a learning experience than you bargained for. Look at it as a valuable lesson, learned early. Pay the taxes and think of it as a 4 credit college course.

Best regards,
June Walker