working 'off the books'

[ruthless013]

the short version of the story is this:

for around five years during my early twenties, i worked for one or two employers and was paid strictly cash. i did not file a tax return for any of this income, in fact i only started working jobs 'on the books' again in 2000, and have filed tax returns since. at the time i was living at home, and was attempting to pursue a professional skating career, so when i wasn't working i was traveling/competing, the expenses of which were picked up by sponsors and/or employers. i still use these employers as references, and include work there on my resume.

how will this be viewed by background investigators, and will it harm/help my chances in my pursuit of a career in law enforcement?

fwiw, i will be sitting for the NYPD exam in less than two weeks. :eek:

thanks in advance for your help,

-chuck

[cecilVA]

I just went through an LE background and they asked me a bunch of financial questions and not one of them pertained to cash only income and not reporting it. But of course thats just one department...

[ruthless013]

thanks cecil, that's good to know. the little cash i made during that time was technically income, which i would have had to report. hopefully someone else can shed some light on the topic.

[gijoeyl33]

It will only be an issue if you did a fraudulant act while working these jobs, such as
collected state unemployment while working off the books. that is the only question ive had close to what your concern is

[canuckofapeach]

It could also be an issue if the income was earned in a 'non-legit' method and/or occupation

[ruthless013]

i guess it depends on your definition of legit. i was working at a skate shop (retail/tech) and teaching lessons when i wasn't out skating myself. so, it's not like i was out there dealing drugs, but how legit is it if my employer doesn't report me as an employee and i don't report my (meager) earnings?

i appreciate the insight.

[gijoeyl33]

it wont be a problem, not to worry about it unless you were slinging dope

[ruthless013]

it wont be a problem, not to worry about it unless you were slinging dope

<--- takes a small sigh of relief.

now back to the books - 15 days till test time.

thanks.