I work at a place for 6 days, quit, and they send me a check which I write 'refuse' on and mail back.?

Question

Was there work done? How does the employer report this to the government if no money was exchanged in this relationship?

I guess I was just asking how the government views the definition of "work." In physics, no work is done until distance has been traveled. No matter how much actual physical work you expend on trying to move an object, if it doesn't move, technically no work is done. In law, if heard you really can't sue unless there was an injury. Similarly, we could postulate that no actual work can be done without the money exchanging hands and being accepted. If money is not accepted, in reality, it's a volunteer service, and if the government does collect taxes, those taxes collected could be considered questionable since no money actually changed hands. How can government charge you taxes on money you never received? If it is done due to their loophole, I understand, but from an ethical standpoint I would find fault in the tax law.

The story behind this is I don't really believe they should have to pay me for training which really didn't yield much result for them.

Also, it would just reflect another "short job" on my application which wouldn't help in future interviews. I think it would be best for both of us to just call the training volunteer or unpaid since they didn't technically tell me it was paid anyway. I'm not sure at what point in time things are reported to the government. The business contract between the employer and I is between us, until things are reported. If we both mutually agree to nullify the business contract and never have an exchange of money, I think this is our choice.

Answer 1

Money has been exchanged. They withheld taxes in your name. Payment was tendered to you. They would also report the hours worked to the unemployment office.

Unless specific conditions are met (such as an internship) you can not volunteer at a for profit business.

Work is performed and compensation earned at the time it is performed. If we used your definition that no work was performed until compensation was accepted you could not successfully sue for unpaid wages as wages only are required to be paid for actual hours worked.

Additionally, in an employment sense, the laws really are about hours spent not actual work (as in the physics definition) performed. Your employer is obligated to pay you regardless if you are 100% busy or sitting waiting for the next customer.

Payment is considered tendered once the check is mailed or provided to you. It does not require that you actually cash the check.

When you apply for a job you are not required by law to disclose ever employer where you worked. If you took this job and decided it was a mistake and are concerned about discussing this job at your next interview, don't even list it. Employers can only check references that you provide them. They can't see records like unemployment records or tax records that would show you worked there.

Answer 2

Yes, to the best of my knowledge you're correct that the government taxes receivable income. Or perhaps I am clouded by my own personal views. A company trained you with the expectation that you would work for them soon after, your intentions seem noble enough. If sick days, personal absences, and vacation times can be taxed as income received, then the government should get no portion of income not received.

My feelings are that this check will remain in a stale account until you reclaim it. And by check, I mean net not gross, the company will make no attempt to withdrawal the taxes paid. You will likely receive a W-2 from them come next year, if you're values still hold true come that time, then take a look at Form W-2c. I have never been so righteous as to file one myself, so do not take my word on it and verify to make sure it is the correct form for this.

But even then that appears that only your total reported income will be lowered. It does not look like the government will return the taxes to the company or to you. With the time put into the company I can see why you would want to consider that volunteer, and even with state taxes I could understand why you would want to consider that a donation, but when it comes to federal income taxes, we must draw the line there, or just leave it be. It is up to you and even if you change your mind, I will still believe that your reasons are right.

*/End of Line.

Answer 3

The only person you hurt with this was yourself. You earned the 6 days pay and the employer cut a check to you. That check and its withholding taxes was reported to the government as income --- IT DOES NOT MATTER THAT YOU DID NOT CASH THE CHECK. You still got it as income and must report this income on your annual IRS tax filing.

This in no way hurts the employer. The employer did the correct legal thing by paying you for the days worked, they are off the hook with the government. You just donated the money back to them, money that was your legal income.

Answer 4

I love Paul Harvey and would like to know "The rest of the story". You obviously are trying to hide something. You are a nice guy to send the employer back the money but taxes have been deducted and sent in. Unemployment will know of this job should you try to file a claim.

Answer 5

How have been you singled out? extra importantly why? except it grew to become into an unlawful reason then there's no case there. 2d element, in simple terms by way of fact an worker on the unemployment workplace says you're authorized does not advise you gets a commission. whilst they approve it, it is going to the employeer to approve/deny. they'd deny it in case you provide up or have been fired. the two a sort of contain grounds to disclaim an unemployment declare. till you let us know the muse of being singled out we've no way of understanding if it incredibly is criminal or not. as a great way by way of fact the verify the term and how it incredibly is exceeded out is desperate by capacity of regulation and we'd could be attentive to the place so as that should assist you. finally there's no such element as a "compelled" provide up. You the two provide up or are fired. in the event that they gave you the alternative of quiting or being fired, you desperate TO provide up. we want slightly extra documents to make it easier to be attentive to lots extra.

Answer 6

If you worked for the money why would you refuse it? Also, they will report it to the IRS. You will be required to claim it on your taxes. You might as well keep it since you will pay the taxes for it.

Answer 7

That is your pay for six days. Why would you refuse it?

Answer 8

and why, pray tell, would you do something so stupid?