<prompt> Human: Hi rpersonalfinance, obvious throwaway here. Recent college grad, and Ive been employed at a small business for over a year sitting in my cubicle typing this, and have been getting paid cash in an envelope for the past 8 months, with the most recent months they switched to hand written company checks. I find this to be super sketchy and uncomfortable, but keep being told that its ok because Im 1099 though considered a contractor, which means I cant be full time in an office, which I am. I also hear the this is how all small business in America are line from my boss quite frequently. I want to into a government job later in my career, which I know will require an extensive background check. Im getting concerned that this current financial situation might pose a problem. I ask my supervisor every month to place me on payroll, and it keep getting pushed off. Yesterday I emailed and was told that there is no exact date planned but it shouldnt take much longer. Its already been a year. Is this illegal? After getting brushed off again this morning, Im trying to stop myself form sending an angry email laying out all my frustrations and how out of all the perks of this job being on payroll is my utmost 1 concern. Id love to hear some feedback and if any other redditors have been in this position. Do I give them an ultimatum? Do I just sit here and take it? Advice?  <response>: Start looking for another job immediately and perhaps report them to the IRS or another organization. It sounds like they are trying to commit some sort of fraud. 