"off the books" job before hire

[slayerized6]

.........................

[GeneralMelchid]

you never had a off the books job, get my drift, that is what was told by a guy at the medical. They don't want to hear it, technically it's illegal.

[NYPD13]

If you want this job. Always tell the truth. They will eventually find out. During college I had a job for 4 years off the books. I didn't have any car payments and only insurance, food, and gas that I had to pay out. I was thinking if I should tell the truth or say that my dad helped me with my cost of living during college. In the end, they will find the truth if there's a gap in employment.

[BayRidge]

If you want this job. Always tell the truth. They will eventually find out. During college I had a job for 4 years off the books. I didn't have any car payments and only insurance, food, and gas that I had to pay out. I was thinking if I should tell the truth or say that my dad helped me with my cost of living during college. In the end, they will find the truth if there's a gap in employment.

I'd agree in most cases... except for the fact that what the good General said above: They tell you NOT to mention any off the book jobs. They really can't find out either and they won't go looking for any jobs that don't appear on your detailed earnings report. Again, at my medical, the Sgt. said that having an off the books job was illegal and to think about before you wrote anything (basically saying omit those kind of jobs).

[NYPD13]

I'd agree in most cases... except for the fact that what the good General said above: They tell you NOT to mention any off the book jobs. They really can't find out either and they won't go looking for any jobs that don't appear on your detailed earnings report. Again, at my medical, the Sgt. said that having an off the books job was illegal and to think about before you wrote anything (basically saying omit those kind of jobs).

Thats a big risk to take. What if investigators talk to my references? And ask them if I had a job in college. They catch me in a lie, I'm d'qed. I hate making these kind of decisions.

[L-1]

Maybe I'm not reading your message correctly, but how can having an off the books job somehow screw a former job over?

And with respect to "off the books" jobs whatever happened to listing such work as being self employed or an independent contractor? There is nothing dishonorable or illegal about working in such a capacity. In addition, self employed or independent contractors are allowed to legitimately deduct a significant amount of operating expenses that a company employee would not. Such expenses often reduce money earned to a negligible (for tax purposes) amount. Why play word games when you can be honest?

There was probably a 12 year period when I did all sorts of side work that put a huge chunk of change in my pocket. I never hid it. To the contrary, I reported every penny on my tax returns, because by claiming it as a business it opened the door for me to take all sorts of tax deductions I could not otherwise take.

[NYPD13]

Maybe I'm not reading your message correctly, but how can having an off the books job somehow screw a former job over?

And with respect to "off the books" jobs whatever happened to listing such work as being self employed or an independent contractor? There is nothing dishonorable or illegal about working in such a capacity. In addition, self employed or independent contractors are allowed to legitimately deduct a significant amount of operating expenses that a company employee would not. Such expenses often reduce money earned to a negligible (for tax purposes) amount. Why play word games when you can be honest?

There was probably a 12 year period when I did all sorts of side work that put a huge chunk of change in my pocket. I never hid it. To the contrary, I reported every penny on my tax returns, because by claiming it as a business it opened the door for me to take all sorts of tax deductions I could not otherwise take.

I think the original poster probably reworded his sentence structure wrong or doesn't know how to ask the question. It doesn't make sense.

For you to report your earnings and any expenses on your tax return for business purposes is fine. You would be fine for processing through the NYPD
because you are paying taxes. Therefore you would have to provide your tax return to the Background Investigator. Your 12 years with you filing your tax return fills in those questionable gaps of how you made your money. Its the non-filing tax return that the investigator is worried about. "Where did you get the money?" Drugs, stealing, and etc.

[BayRidge]

Thats a big risk to take. What if investigators talk to my references? And ask them if I had a job in college. They catch me in a lie, I'm d'qed. I hate making these kind of decisions.

Are you listing people from your off-the-book jobs as references? Then you would obviously have to say something or list different people.

And with respect to "off the books" jobs whatever happened to listing such work as being self employed or an independent contractor? There is nothing dishonorable or illegal about working in such a capacity. In addition, self employed or independent contractors are allowed to legitimately deduct a significant amount of operating expenses that a company employee would not. Such expenses often reduce money earned to a negligible (for tax purposes) amount. Why play word games when you can be honest?.

What you're describing does not sound like working off the books. It sounds like self-employment, which the NYPD has no problem with and there are even other forms to fill out if you are indeed self-employed. Certainly not dishonorable or illegal about that, don't think anyone thinks this.

Its the non-filing tax return that the investigator is worried about. "Where did you get the money?" Drugs, stealing, and etc.

I would probably say to this: I was supported by my parents, aunts, uncles, friends or something. I'm not in this situation (as I was supported by student loans and on the books jobs) so take this with a grain of salt, but I would follow the advice of the guy hiring me for the job (i.e. the Sgt. telling everyone not to disclose "off-the-books" jobs.)

[NYPD13]

Are you listing people from your off-the-book jobs as references? Then you would obviously have to say something or list different people.

No, I'm leaving off the book references off the list. My list is just friends, family, and my previous employers that are on the books.

I would probably say to this: I was supported by my parents, aunts, uncles, friends or something. I'm not in this situation (as I was supported by student loans and on the books jobs) so take this with a grain of salt, but I would follow the advice of the guy hiring me for the job (i.e. the Sgt. telling everyone not to disclose "off-the-books" jobs.)

I'm not doubting your opinion about not disclosing off the book jobs and probably go with that decision. I'm just making sure if some smart BI is going to do a little more research, I want to make sure my bases are covered.

[slayerized6]

.............................

[NorwichCadet]

off the books= unemployed

[slayerized6]

.........................

[L-1]

damn, this has really got me thinking if i should continue on with this job

Why can't you continue with the job and list yourself as self employed on the Personal History Statement? The person you are working for is simply one of your clients. You are now an independent businessman. It's perfectly legal and honorable. It's what America was founded on.

Or am I missing something here?

[NYPD13]

Why can't you continue with the job and list yourself as self employed on the Personal History Statement? The person you are working for is simply one of your clients. You are now an independent businessman. It's perfectly legal and honorable. It's what America was founded on.

Or am I missing something here?

I think what the original poster is trying to say is that he did not file his tax return for "off the book" jobs and just pocketed the cash without paying taxes. If he wanted to, he can go back and file his off the books to play it safe for the BI, but there could be penalties, fines, or fees.

[ArmySean]

if you worked off the books for a long time, and you weren't in any type of school or anything you might want to way that you did ore come up with something or you will look like a losser, but iif you do they won't hire you till you pay taxes. i hoped you saved