I started working at a small business mid-last-year. I never filled out any forms or signed anything. I have been paid by written business checks every week. I have been required to be here at a set time and leave at a set time for 40 hours a week.
I was paid a dollar over minimum wage the whole time. I was never handed a any sort of tax form. I never even gave them my address or SSN. My boss threw around the term "independent contractor" and also called another employee this, while often displaying air quotes while saying it. I was told that I would not have to worry about taxes until I was put on pay roll which was supposed to be a month or two ago but he hasn't brought it up in a while.
My boss told me once I was on pay roll he would give me the option of having taxes taken out every check or paying them back at the end of the year. Again, he told me that I would have no problem with taxes until I was an official employee.
This period that I'm still in is technically the "test to see if we like you." And its clear that they do, the other employee was fired for good reasons and I have gotten nothing but praise.
But today their family friend who does their taxes came in and while working handed me a W-9 without explanation. I had to ask what it was for and was explained by her that I would have to pay taxes. My boss didn't say anything while sitting there.
Anyways, I realize now I fucked up. I'm young, I'm not in school due to personal reason and paying back loans already. Having to pay a couple thousand is going to be hard on me as I already don't make much.
Is there anything I can do? Am I going to have to just sign this and suck it up? I plan on asking my boss why he told me what he said before if I was going to have to pay anyway. I'm sure he will deny it though. If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all in advance.
Submitted January 10, 2017 at 02:18PM by helpwithincome http://ift.tt/2id8UqR
