Tax tips...
 

Flying is cool,

Regarding your income tax questions:

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/artic...=96623,00.html

Filing an income tax return and paying income taxes are two different animals. Many people file an income tax return every year for many years and never have to pay the IRS a dime. Myself, like most other folks, file an income tax return each year and end up owing the IRS money... go figure.

On the other hand, many people fail to file an income tax return and owe the IRS lots of money in back taxes, interest & penalties. Even "non-profit" organizations file an income tax return to remind the IRS each year that they are still a "non-profit" organization.

Keep in mind, an individual who knowingly fails to file an income tax return (or furnishes false information on their income tax return) to avoid paying income taxes is guilty of a federal offense. A regional airline may frown on this sort of activity but, I assure you, the IRS will take it very personal.

So, why do people work jobs and agree to be paid under the table? To avoid paying any income taxes. It's that simple.
Is this a crime? Yes.
Is this a serious crime? Call the IRS and ask for their opinion.
Should you disclose it? Only your integrity can answer this question.

Regarding your criminal record:

Your criminal record is public information and the airline industry has a legitimate reason to investigate you and your criminal convictions as a part of the due diligence process to pre-screen you as a potential airline industry employee.

Does this mean the airline HR people sift through multiple police reports and rap sheets from would-be pilot applicants to determine who's going to get hired? I don't know the answer to that one.

I would imagine the airline will ask you about your criminal past, if any. You then provide your information. The airline submits your fingerprints to the FBI and the Feds provide a report about your past arrest/conviction history. If the information is consistent with your answers and you're not ineligible for employment otherwise, you might get hired. If the information from the Feds conflicts with the info you provided, then I would imagine you have some explaining to do and you don't hired or you get fired after you are initially hired.

Better to disclose it...than to NOT disclose it and hope they dont find it......because of they do ...... and you said you didnt... game over.

Has anyone actually had a future employer want to see W-2's?

I think SWA may have ask for them...can't remember 100%.

That really makes you wonder...

I have been working/flying for about 4 months now, granted it is my first flying job. I have not filled out any w2 forms, and have brought it up to my boss and he says since i wont be making enough by the end of the year i dont have to file and once the new year rolls around i can file. Is this ok, since im getting paid under the table beacuse my checks dont have anything taken out for taxes, how would i go about clamming that i actually worked there for the 4 months. i would want to put this on my resume, but not sure how since it would be hard to find out, besides calling my boss. any suggestion on what i could do?

small world, you in live in k-zoo as well?

If its a flying job that is being paid under the table, that may come back to bite you in the interview. Esp if you put on the application that you had a period of unemployment, but your logbook shows that you were flying like crazy. Honestly I dont have any advice except to maybe look for a legitimate job? :confused:

There is a distinct difference between being "paid under the table" and not having taxes witheld from your paycheck.

Well to avoid potential backlash from the IRS if they found out you could file at the end of year and claim how much you made, except I dont know what form you fill out. It might cause the company some grief, but then you will be looked at as a contracter in the eyes of the IRS.

The company you currently work for might not like it, but then you could put it on your resume....