Working under the table???

[rmz45099]

Short background on myself:
Age 22, live at home, have been enrolled at the JC since HS graduation slowly working on an AA about 3-4 classes away now. For the last two years or so, I have worked at a small shop as a mechanic/ shop help/ car builder being payed in cash. Clean record except a speeding ticket 3 years ago. NEVER even tried any kind of drugs.
The only thing questionable is working under the table.

I am interested in a career in law enforcement and wanted to get some advise as to how working under the table would affect my chances of being hired.

[Eikbyrnir]

I think it would depend on how much money you made in each year. I would check the IRS website and see what the amount of money you can make in a set year without having to claim in it on your taxes. If you made over, you might want to think about claiming the last two years and just paying what you owe, that way if you go through backgrounds it's not something you have to worry about. You worked under the table, but you claimed it so you didnt cheat the poor USA out of its hard earned taxes. It sucks, but thats just my opinion. If you didnt make enough to have to claim it, well there you go again, dont worry about it.

I by no means know much about taxes and everything except whats on my W2. Maybe someone here will be able to give you better information, thats just my personal belief. Good luck.

[Notorious]

Working under the table is nothing new... and guess what... a lot of cops and firefighters do it too on their off days. Just be upfront and say you made some money and you checked and if you owe, pay up, if you don't, say you were exempt. But say you won't do it in violation of the law.

The only difference between legally working under the table and illegally working under the table is if you claim and pay taxes on it, that's all the feds care about.

[local_nobody]

weird...quote isn't working.

anyway, like Notorious said, call IRS and FTB. I know IRS has tax law specialists you can talk to without giving them any identity info, and you can just give them the income info and any other basics (claimed as a dependent, supported self, etc) and they can tell you if you'd have to file or not.

the vague answer for whether you have to file or not is if you made more than your standard deduction (if someone claims you as a dependent on their return) or standard deduction+exemption (if you do/would claim yourself). standard deduction and exemption change a little from year to year, but if you look up the instructions on irs.gov, the amounts (and whether you're required to file, with income amounts) are there.

[rmz45099]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'll need to do some research and figure out if I made enough to file and then go from there. Again thank you.

[NokSuCow]

Use TurboTax to see if you owe. If it's less then $4000 your fine. I'd you owe more than $1000 in taxes your looking at a fine for not paying your QETs.