<prompt> Human: Two years ago a local Interior Designer hired me as a part-time assistant right after graduating college. Her intentions were to hire me as a full time employee if I helped make her business grow. She has been paying me as in independent contractor without benefits or taxes taken out. I am an artist on the side and she promotes and sells my artwork to our clients regularly, which had helped me develop a client base. Having never worked as an independent contractor, I did my 2014 taxes myself big mistake and screwed them up terribly. I am still dealing with issues with the IRS trying to get it straightened out. I started out making 15 dollars an hour working about 20 hours a week. I have helped her business grow significantly, and I carry many of the same responsibilities as the owner. I am now doing full design work and an making 18 an hour working 30-38 hours a week. I also drive a lot maybe 3000 miles a year in my personal vehicle for work, and about 50 of my cell phone use is work related. My boss gives me an extra 100 every month for this and I get to write mileage and phone off as an expense. I have asked her to make me and full time employee now, and she has been reluctant. She proposed a 29,900 salary based on 32 hours a week, 9 paid holidays and 4 paid vacation days. The salary is less than what I hoped for, but she claims to not be able to pay me any more than that. She also stated that she would give me some sort of a raise if I remain an independent contractor. I like being an independent contractor because of the flexibility. But I feel that I do so much for the company and should be making more. I work really hard and feel as though I have a bright future ahead. I know that I could be making more at a design firm, but there are not that many options where I live. My boss is very sweet and I really enjoy working with her. She seems to always look out for my best interest, but am I being taken advantage of?  <response>: My boss is very sweet and I really enjoy working with her. She seems to always look out for my best interest, but am I being taken advantage of? I think you are being taken advantage of. You are grossly underpaid, and 4 vacation days a year is an insult. However, the offer will result in slightly more money in your pocket, it works out to 18 an hour, and she will be required to pay the employer share of social security and medicare taxes 7.65 of your salary. As a contractor, you are paying those now.It also may be true that she cant afford to pay you more, but Id look for another situation. 