I’m trying to figure out what I should be doing because something seems fishy... I’ve been working for 9 months as a dancer at a bar, 11 hours (2 shifts) a week, which I pay $30-40 per shift at the door to work, and then collect cash tips directly from customers with no pay from the house whatsoever. I originally got hired as an “independent contractor” however we are given a weekly schedule that they enforce strictly.
Recently they informed us we must be claiming a flat-rate of $75 in tips when we sign out, however many Monday nights I don’t even make that, many times it’s $20 profit for me after I make back my cover.
They’re telling us when we do taxes to find our yearly income based on a $75 per shift... I understand many of you may disagree morally, but since this is my second job and I work part time for a family business which I’ll be getting a W2 and my family accountant will handle it, I wasn’t going to claim anything from this job, let alone a flat rate they are determining for me... Can I tell them to forget I worked here, since there is literally no paper trail? I really don’t understand how the bar can consider me an employee or contractor of any type given they’ve never paid me a dollar, and I actually pay them to work. As far as it seems, I’m just a glorified patron who pays an extra cover and they know nothing of what cash customers give me... why would I exist on their taxes? I’m not an expense, or an employee, right?
Is it possible that they’re claiming to have paid me $75 a shift in their taxes to gain some type of benefit and tax incentivize their bar profits?? I know they lost a lawsuit years ago in which a dancer demanded back pay for not making enough tips despite dancing and working shifts... is this where they got their $75 number from possibly and they’re doing this to protect themselves from me doing that?
I’ve talked to them several times and they keep beating around the bush, insisting to put $75 and I can deduct my gas and underwear... but something still seems wrong about if I’m even actually an independent contractor. I’m not sure what that term means though. Isn’t there also a “gift” section in taxes, I think even that seems closer to my situation.
It’s a sketchy line of work, but I also don’t want to do anything with lawsuits because I’ve started training to be a bartender for them which is a lot more understandable situation for me regarding employment, tips and taxes. However, I don’t mind standing up for myself and letting them know I won’t be taken advantage of, so any help or advice or information would be greatly appreciated!
Submitted January 24, 2019 at 09:42AM by Jfacee7 http://bit.ly/2RbMmsd
