I have read, and heard many different things on this subject. So, this is pure curiosity. Are under the table jobs illegal? or most of them? i have a good paying job... but i have some international friends looking for these types of jobs. Mainly cause they have a student visa, and can't work outside the school. And, can't find jobs within school. I have been reading up on so called under the table jobs.

And many say they have worked them and there not illegal. If you don't fill taxes for any income you make... that is illegal for the most part correct? some say they keep track of their income even if it's under the table. The entire concept just seems very iffy too me. I don't want some of the people i know to get in trouble for working these jobs. So, can any of y'all tell me. Is under the table jobs illegal? are there some that aren't? do you still file for these types of jobs?

I have to admit, I thought this thread was going to be about sex.

As far as your ACTUAL subject, I think there's a threshold amount you can earn in this manner and not have to report but I don't know what that amount is. Any accountant or CPA could tell you, though.

RodeoSchro said:

I have to admit, I thought this thread was going to be about sex.

As far as your ACTUAL subject, I think there's a threshold amount you can earn in this manner and not have to report but I don't know what that amount is. Any accountant or CPA could tell you, though.

at the sex thing.

Hmmm... i have done a lot of research on it. But am still quite confused on it all. It all seems rather shady too me... and i'm paranoid about taxes. I make sure to always file mine & keep up with all my income. I know that stuff can bite you in the ass.

Gunsnhalen said:

RodeoSchro said:

I have to admit, I thought this thread was going to be about sex.

As far as your ACTUAL subject, I think there's a threshold amount you can earn in this manner and not have to report but I don't know what that amount is. Any accountant or CPA could tell you, though.

at the sex thing.

Hmmm... i have done a lot of research on it. But am still quite confused on it all. It all seems rather shady too me... and i'm paranoid about taxes. I make sure to always file mine & keep up with all my income. I know that stuff can bite you in the ass.

Under the table jobs can bite you in the ass? OMG, you are making this the best thread ever!

But seriously - just ask a CPA. They'll know for sure, right off the top of their head.

There is alot of this in the service industry specially waiting tables. I worked at a bar for a couple of years when I first moved to chicago it was great getting paid in cash.

I wouldnt advice it for a long term gig, cause youre just screwing yourself.

Under the table jobs are illegal. You get paid cash and the employer gets away with not notifying the tax man. Then the employer does not have to pay so much taxes. And there is no paper trail. If immigration officers come to your business and ask to see immigration verification and you get found out, you're in biggie hot water.

If the person on a Student Visa is not allowed to work as one of their immigration conditions, then they have to follow that. If the person gets found out, or if an employer squeals to immigration, then you could be deported or temporarily or permanently banned from the country in which you are studying in. Not worth it. You will be in their computer system and that will come up when you, for example, go on vacation to another country. Violation of the Student Visa conditions.

RodeoSchro said:

Gunsnhalen said:

at the sex thing.

Hmmm... i have done a lot of research on it. But am still quite confused on it all. It all seems rather shady too me... and i'm paranoid about taxes. I make sure to always file mine & keep up with all my income. I know that stuff can bite you in the ass.

Under the table jobs can bite you in the ass? OMG, you are making this the best thread ever!

Sounds like you are in a good mood today Rodeo. Better inform the wife

luv4u said:

Under the table jobs are illegal. You get paid cash and the employer gets away with not notifying the tax man. Then the employer does not have to pay so much taxes. And there is no paper trail. If immigration officers come to your business and ask to see immigration verification and you get found out, you're in biggie hot water.

If the person on a Student Visa is not allowed to work as one of their immigration conditions, then they have to follow that. If the person gets found out, or if an employer squeals to immigration, then you could be deported or temporarily or permanently banned from the country in which you are studying in.

That's what i was afraid of... and that wouldn't be worth it in the end.

lazycrockett said:

There is alot of this in the service industry specially waiting tables. I worked at a bar for a couple of years when I first moved to chicago it was great getting paid in cash.

I wouldnt advice it for a long term gig, cause youre just screwing yourself.

years? wow! what did you do?

Gunsnhalen said:

luv4u said:

Under the table jobs are illegal. You get paid cash and the employer gets away with not notifying the tax man. Then the employer does not have to pay so much taxes. And there is no paper trail. If immigration officers come to your business and ask to see immigration verification and you get found out, you're in biggie hot water.

If the person on a Student Visa is not allowed to work as one of their immigration conditions, then they have to follow that. If the person gets found out, or if an employer squeals to immigration, then you could be deported or temporarily or permanently banned from the country in which you are studying in.

That's what i was afraid of... and that wouldn't be worth it in the end.

Not worth is exactly right. Risky and stupid.

Gunsnhalen said:

lazycrockett said:

There is alot of this in the service industry specially waiting tables. I worked at a bar for a couple of years when I first moved to chicago it was great getting paid in cash.

I wouldnt advice it for a long term gig, cause youre just screwing yourself.

years? wow! what did you do?

waiting tables/bartending.

They are under the table illegal jobs. IRS will get you eventually or as Rodeo said the employer could use you, and at some point because he has something over you, he could get you exported. (For those who aren't US citizens.)

Skirting minimum wage law is a big no-no. It's now getting attention that even volunteerism can be illegal, if a company is using volunteers or interns in place of paid employees that are necessary for basic functions. SXSW for just one example uses volunteers to do copying, flyering, list making, all kinds of things that you would normally need to pay people minimum wage to do, and might be subject to lawsuits if they keep it up.

I feel for your friends who are in that situation. Maybe you could give them $20 to wash your car once in a while but, any situation involving "enough money to live" would be very risky.

I did work UTT back at a couple of jobs where I was paid in cash with no witholding. It was never a great situation; I was always afraid I would hear "well we're having a cash flow problem this week." I managed to get out with no major losses, luckily, but some of my coworkers were not so lucky.

I think it was more commonly done back then - this is 20 years ago we're talking about- but even then there were concerns about having people on payroll without a US ID on file.