tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post6927218672361612719..comments2023-11-18T01:21:55.631-05:00Comments on My Open Wallet: The Latest on MortimerMadame Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11536189690094235926noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-19565986500763290592009-04-29T20:02:00.000-04:002009-04-29T20:02:00.000-04:00@ "My internal sense of fairness is too strong for...@ "My internal sense of fairness is too strong for me to help my employer dodge taxes while simultaneously collecting benefits from taxpayers.<br />"<br /><br />The tax is owed whether the employer withholds it or not. So in that case, you could just report the income later on (after you became fully employed again and had sufficient income) as self-employment income and you will pay the self-employment tax, including social security and medicare, and the government gets all the cash it is owed--just later than it would have if it had been wittheld by the employer. Problem solved, at least from your individual perspective.moociferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01325412523164314073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-90929168827002209082009-04-29T19:58:00.000-04:002009-04-29T19:58:00.000-04:00I thought I would add that if it were me, I would ...I thought I would add that if it were me, I would most likely keep a record of that income and report it on my tax return as independent contractor income if and when I became fully employed again and could reasonably afford to pay the tax.moociferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01325412523164314073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-10575968907751660432009-04-29T19:55:00.000-04:002009-04-29T19:55:00.000-04:00I've only been on unemployment once, but as I reca...I've only been on unemployment once, but as I recall any money you make while on unemployment either reduces the amount of your check by the same amount or, potentially, can kick you off unemployment altogether. <br /><br />I happen to think that the practical thing in this case if you don't have a good cash cushion is to do the "unethical" thing and take the under the table money money and not report it.<br /><br />There is little flexibility in the system to understand "individual cases" and also you have been paying taxes your entire life and will soon be doing it again, so I don't see a small amount of under the table cash for a short while (as opposed to as a lifestyle) as being a cardinal sin. <br /><br />As an aside, I do report all of my side income as income when I am fully employed, and would not consider hiding it.moociferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01325412523164314073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-55065193288318498642009-04-29T00:22:00.000-04:002009-04-29T00:22:00.000-04:00I never have, but of course I would if that was al...I never have, but of course I would if that was all I could find. When push comes to shove the moral high ground disappears and you do what is required of you to support yourself and family.Tally Girlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-32310751601983186162009-04-28T19:43:00.000-04:002009-04-28T19:43:00.000-04:00When I was claiming unemployment in the UK back in...When I was claiming unemployment in the UK back in 1989 I did some work one day a week at a street market. Unemployment pay in the UK is far less generous than in the US in dollar terms (but can last much longer). Here in Australia I haven't claimed because my assets are much too high to qualify (and the amount is similarly low like the UK).mOOmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03440274434662150925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-46894689680480613782009-04-28T18:18:00.000-04:002009-04-28T18:18:00.000-04:00My internal sense of fairness is too strong for me...My internal sense of fairness is too strong for me to help my employer dodge taxes while simultaneously collecting benefits from taxpayers. <br /><br />I would certainly declare all my earning to the IRS and pay my share of income taxes on any under-the-table earnings.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-79933942831887722142009-04-28T17:05:00.000-04:002009-04-28T17:05:00.000-04:00I've been paid under the table and I have no qualm...I've been paid under the table and I have no qualms about it, you gotta do what you gotta do. Sure it's not "right" to get paid under the table but desperate times call for desperate measures.jimhttp://www.bargaineering.com/articles/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-69315775681553292612009-04-28T14:51:00.000-04:002009-04-28T14:51:00.000-04:00It appears that not paying taxes is the stylish th...It appears that not paying taxes is the stylish thing to do. Think about all the government muckety-mucks who haven't paid taxes and are still in the cabinet! Why collect taxes when you can simply print more money? Tongue firmly planted in cheek :)<br /><br />On a serious note, I;m not sure where I come down on getting paid under the table. On one hand, your friend would probably not have to pay any income taxes on it at all since his income is quite low right now. On the other, he needs the money and apparently the employer doesn't want the hassle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-6717996557434222822009-04-28T13:04:00.000-04:002009-04-28T13:04:00.000-04:00I haven't been paid under the table but if it's a ...I haven't been paid under the table but if it's a temporary project I'd be tempted.<br /><br />When you're unemployed or low on cash you do whatever you can to bring in a few bucks.SaveBuyLivehttp://www.savebuylive.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-55629958718164229712009-04-28T12:56:00.000-04:002009-04-28T12:56:00.000-04:00How did his rent go up ~8.7%? Rents are down consi...How did his rent go up ~8.7%? Rents are down considerably across the city. At worst he should have been able to negotiate to flat with last year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-84415196154139852272009-04-28T11:47:00.000-04:002009-04-28T11:47:00.000-04:00I've never been paid under the table, but I would ...I've never been paid under the table, but I would if that was the only way I could make ends meet. Why is he not getting the maximum amt. of unemployment? <br />Best of luck to him.<br />-TashaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14245531.post-80620646502105212612009-04-28T11:13:00.000-04:002009-04-28T11:13:00.000-04:00what seems the most sketchy to me is that the comp...what seems the most sketchy to me is that the company/person paying him is choosing to do so under the table...it less like they are doing Mortimer a favor and more doing themselves a favor by not having to pay unemployment insurance on him and then letting him go...<br /><br />sketchy indeed, but I would do it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com