<prompt> Human: Ive been working for a company for about 2 months, and up until now Ive been paid in cash. I was under the impression that was just going to be the first couple weeks and after a month of it I sat down with the owner and said I needed to be a legit, tax paying employee, and that I needed to be making a wage that reflected not only my level of experience, but the level of value I was bringing to their business Ive streamlined operations and expanded their business, Im very good at what I do. I told him I didnt want him to feel ambushed and he could think it over on the weekend and get back to me.Originally, I was making 10 an hour, which is barely enough to cover my living expenses. My qualifications should put me somewhere in the 15-17 range. Given that I was in a tight spot when he hired me, and I didnt have to pay taxes on the cash, it was an amenable short term arrangement. He asked how much I made at my last job, that he wanted to make sure I wasnt taking a step down, I told him my take home after taxes worked out to about 450-500 a week. Monday morning rolls around and heres his offer: 12 an hour. As an independent contractor. To sweeten the deal, hell call it 11 on paper, and set aside the extra dollar an hour for taxes. This is a bad deal, right? I feel like I shouldnt have to ask, but Im so confused as to what kind of scheme this extra dollar is...Also, how little am I looking at after taxes? I have zero experience with filing as self employed and Im sure it probably works out to even less money...  <response>: You should find employment with a business or employer that doesnt have to pay you under the table. This whole thing doesnt pass the sniff test. 