What The Elites Do Under The Table

As you know since I posted Greensboro Women, What Would You Do If You Were Married To A Pimp? we've been looking into the activities of a very powerful Greensboro couple living in Irving Park. Besides their illicet offshore investments they also own a law firm.

It has come to our attention this law firm has been paying paralegals and other employees under the table rather than keeping things above board and honest.

Now many employers want you to think it is perfectly acceptable to pay employees under the table, calling them independent contractors, as long as they issue the proper tax forms (presumably a 1099) but fact is: that is almost never the case. Here's what the Internal Revenue Service has to say about  under the table contractors:

"Common Law Rules

Facts that provide evidence of the degree of control and independence fall into three categories:

1. Behavioral: Does the company control or have the right to control what the worker does and how the worker does his or her job?
2. Financial: Are the business aspects of the worker’s job controlled by the payer? (these include things like how worker is paid, whether expenses are reimbursed, who provides tools/supplies, etc.)
3. Type of Relationship: Are there written contracts or employee type benefits (i.e. pension plan, insurance, vacation pay, etc.)? Will the relationship continue and is the work performed a key aspect of the business?

Businesses must weigh all these factors when determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor. Some factors may indicate that the worker is an employee, while other factors indicate that the worker is an independent contractor. There is no “magic” or set number of factors that “makes” the worker an employee or an independent contractor, and no one factor stands alone in making this determination. Also, factors which are relevant in one situation may not be relevant in another.

The keys are to look at the entire relationship, consider the degree or extent of the right to direct and control, and finally, to document each of the factors used in coming up with the determination."

Now let's drill deeper into  1. Behavioral:


"Behavioral Control

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Behavioral control refers to facts that show whether there is a right to direct or control how the worker does the work. A worker is an employee when the business has the right to direct and control the worker. The business does not have to actually direct or control the way the work is done – as long as the employer has the right to direct and control the work.
The behavioral control factors fall into the categories of:

• Type of instructions given
• Degree of instruction
• Evaluation systems
• Training

Types of Instructions Given

An employee is generally subject to the business’s instructions about when, where, and how to work. All of the following are examples of types of instructions about how to do work.

• When and where to do the work.
• What tools or equipment to use.
• What workers to hire or to assist with the work.
• Where to purchase supplies and services.
• What work must be performed by a specified individual.
• What order or sequence to follow when performing the work.

Degree of Instruction

Degree of Instruction means that the more detailed the instructions, the more control the business exercises over the worker. More detailed instructions indicate that the worker is an employee.  Less detailed instructions reflects less control, indicating that the worker is more likely an independent contractor.

Note: The amount of instruction needed varies among different jobs. Even if no instructions are given, sufficient behavioral control may exist if the employer has the right to control how the work results are achieved. A business may lack the knowledge to instruct some highly specialized professionals; in other cases, the task may require little or no instruction. The key consideration is whether the business has retained the right to control the details of a worker's performance or instead has given up that right.

Evaluation System

If an evaluation system measures the details of how the work is performed, then these factors would point to an employee.

If the evaluation system measures just the end result, then this can point to either an independent contractor or an employee.

Training

If the business provides the worker with training on how to do the job, this indicates that the business wants the job done in a particular way.  This is strong evidence that the worker is an employee. Periodic or on-going training about procedures and methods is even stronger evidence of an employer-employee relationship. However, independent contractors ordinarily use their own methods."

Fact is: paying employees under the table is tax fraud, plain and simple. And for a law firm to get caught doing so would mean dire consequences. Now Mr and Ms Elite Lawyer from Irving Park, how much do you want me to tell?

And remember: I've never asked for a single penny for myself or anyone else, no favors, no gifts and no special privileges.

Links to legal definitions:

Blackmail

Extortion

Threats


Continue reading Are Council Members Operating A Brothel? for the shock of your lives.