SavingsTalk.com

taxguru · 10-31-2007, 03:18 PM

I have been working for the same law firm for 2 years now. We have been having financial difficulty for the last few (4) months, and I think things are coming to a head. I have been paid late before, but never had a check bounce. I paid my bills when I got my check, and now, I have NO money in my account because the paycheck didn't clear. The checks I wrote to pay bills are good, but I have nothing left. My boss has even been talking about pawning his watch to make ends meet, and the firm is in $100,000 (at least) of debt. The problem is that since my boss never withheld taxes on me, because of him, I owe the IRS nearly $6000 in debt - he said he'd pay his part for me, leaving $1500 for me to pay, which is fine. But if I quit, I will never get the $4500 from him, and have to pay it all. He never reported me as his employee because he doesn't pay or report his taxes, and thus, I have to pay contract employee taxes (2X higher). I don't even know what to do anymore.<br /><br />WHAT DO I DO?!?!?!?!<br />He paid me by personal check - not from the firm account, if that makes any difference.<br />

V.Putin · 10-31-2007, 03:18 PM

bouncy bouncy its lawsuit time!

Max · 10-31-2007, 03:18 PM

Contact a lawyer - but not one from your firm!!!!!

taxhour · 10-31-2007, 03:18 PM

you work in a law firm... ask your boss! just kidding. I would go get a lawyer maybe

Apsdydrr · 10-31-2007, 03:18 PM

First and foremost get another job quick. Second, quit blaming your boss you not taking out taxes. YOU let it happen by staying there continuing to work. It appears you will never get the 4500.00 or for that matter any other amount. You are only continuing to get further in dept by working for him. Quit today and go find another job. Get a lawyer at your local Legal Aid office to help you recoup the losses.

Vitovt · 10-31-2007, 03:18 PM

First you need to find another job, and probably should have left a while ago.

Once you have that you need to report your boss(or threaten to report him) to the IRS, unless he pays for all of the money he caused you to owe.

As an attorney he should know that it is illegal to not report you as an employee. There are strict IRS regulations as who is considered an Independent Contractor and a regular employee. There is not only the taxes that he has to withhold from you, but other taxes he must pay, such as the employer portion of SSI and Medicare. He probably skipped out on those also. Depending on the situation, those violations actually can come with prison time for him.

Apsdydrr · 10-31-2007, 03:18 PM

Since your boss is talking about pawning his watch, that's a sign. Tell your boss to pawn his watch & other belongings to pay you. What kind of car does he drive? If the firm is sinking, start looking for another job. Start asking about unemployment ... there might be something!?!

Good Luck & God Bless ;o)

Vitovt · 10-31-2007, 03:18 PM

I was working for a company was going Thur the same thing. But the only thing different from you and me I got pay, just other people didn't.

I hope that you keep copy of the checks that you got paid. so that when or should i say that they end up closing down (like the company i worked for) if they do so, you can go to your local unemployment office and tell them that you worked for a company that wasn't paying you the right way. they have to pay all the taxes they own on you, and you could get unemployment.
They are going to have to show who and when they worked for them.
The unemployment office should have a form that you employer has to fill out to pay you.

taxhour · 10-31-2007, 03:18 PM

You're screwed get a reliable lawyer to represent you.

Apsdydrr · 10-31-2007, 03:18 PM

Get te agreement for hm to pay taxes IN WRITING. Otherwise, you'll likelyt get nothing. Start looking for a job now. I've been where your are. Stuck it out till the end and got screwed.

10-31-2007, 03:18 PM	#1
taxguru Greenhorn Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 29 Rep Power: 6	My paycheck just bounced.? I have been working for the same law firm for 2 years now. We have been having financial difficulty for the last few (4) months, and I think things are coming to a head. I have been paid late before, but never had a check bounce. I paid my bills when I got my check, and now, I have NO money in my account because the paycheck didn't clear. The checks I wrote to pay bills are good, but I have nothing left. My boss has even been talking about pawning his watch to make ends meet, and the firm is in $100,000 (at least) of debt. The problem is that since my boss never withheld taxes on me, because of him, I owe the IRS nearly $6000 in debt - he said he'd pay his part for me, leaving $1500 for me to pay, which is fine. But if I quit, I will never get the $4500 from him, and have to pay it all. He never reported me as his employee because he doesn't pay or report his taxes, and thus, I have to pay contract employee taxes (2X higher). I don't even know what to do anymore.<br /><br />WHAT DO I DO?!?!?!?!<br />He paid me by personal check - not from the firm account, if that makes any difference.<br />

10-31-2007, 03:18 PM	#2
V.Putin Greenhorn Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	My paycheck just bounced.? bouncy bouncy its lawsuit time!

10-31-2007, 03:18 PM	#3
Max Piggy Bank Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 67 Rep Power: 6	My paycheck just bounced.? Contact a lawyer - but not one from your firm!!!!!

10-31-2007, 03:18 PM	#4
taxhour Greenhorn Join Date: Aug 2006 Age: 29 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 6	My paycheck just bounced.? you work in a law firm... ask your boss! just kidding. I would go get a lawyer maybe

10-31-2007, 03:18 PM	#5
Apsdydrr Greenhorn Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 33 Rep Power: 5	My paycheck just bounced.? First and foremost get another job quick. Second, quit blaming your boss you not taking out taxes. YOU let it happen by staying there continuing to work. It appears you will never get the 4500.00 or for that matter any other amount. You are only continuing to get further in dept by working for him. Quit today and go find another job. Get a lawyer at your local Legal Aid office to help you recoup the losses.

10-31-2007, 03:18 PM	#6
Vitovt Piggy Bank Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 56 Rep Power: 6	My paycheck just bounced.? First you need to find another job, and probably should have left a while ago. Once you have that you need to report your boss(or threaten to report him) to the IRS, unless he pays for all of the money he caused you to owe. As an attorney he should know that it is illegal to not report you as an employee. There are strict IRS regulations as who is considered an Independent Contractor and a regular employee. There is not only the taxes that he has to withhold from you, but other taxes he must pay, such as the employer portion of SSI and Medicare. He probably skipped out on those also. Depending on the situation, those violations actually can come with prison time for him.

10-31-2007, 03:18 PM	#7
Apsdydrr Greenhorn Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 33 Rep Power: 5	My paycheck just bounced.? Since your boss is talking about pawning his watch, that's a sign. Tell your boss to pawn his watch & other belongings to pay you. What kind of car does he drive? If the firm is sinking, start looking for another job. Start asking about unemployment ... there might be something!?! Good Luck & God Bless ;o)

10-31-2007, 03:18 PM	#8
Vitovt Piggy Bank Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 56 Rep Power: 6	My paycheck just bounced.? I was working for a company was going Thur the same thing. But the only thing different from you and me I got pay, just other people didn't. I hope that you keep copy of the checks that you got paid. so that when or should i say that they end up closing down (like the company i worked for) if they do so, you can go to your local unemployment office and tell them that you worked for a company that wasn't paying you the right way. they have to pay all the taxes they own on you, and you could get unemployment. They are going to have to show who and when they worked for them. The unemployment office should have a form that you employer has to fill out to pay you.

10-31-2007, 03:18 PM	#9
taxhour Greenhorn Join Date: Aug 2006 Age: 29 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 6	My paycheck just bounced.? You're screwed get a reliable lawyer to represent you.

10-31-2007, 03:18 PM	#10
Apsdydrr Greenhorn Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 33 Rep Power: 5	My paycheck just bounced.? Get te agreement for hm to pay taxes IN WRITING. Otherwise, you'll likelyt get nothing. Start looking for a job now. I've been where your are. Stuck it out till the end and got screwed.

SavingsTalk.com

Your guide to saving money and making smart investments!