<prompt> Human: Hello all!I recently got hired to do something I really love to do in San Diego, California important. For now, I work part time, 30 hours a week. This last paycheck was exactly 300, no withhold for tax. When I brought it up, boss claimed I was a contractor and I didnt need to have that withheld or claimed on my taxes. Not knowing any better I simply said OK and took the cash literally, no check or direct deposit.I go home, and realise that the local San Diego minimum wage is 11.50, so that would make the paycheck before tax 345. I asked boss about this, and boss claimed that it would be better for me at 10hr untaxed vs 11.50 taxed, claiming that 11.50 x .69 would give me 7.93 effective pay quoting his text message to me.He also didnt require or ask for any legal documents relating to my ability to work legally allowed to work, am US citizen.What do I do? Am I panicking over nothing or is this a legit concern? Ive worked 2 retail jobs, and they required loads of paperwork. Not only that, I am super excited to have this job, as it is relevant to my studies, I like doing it, and in SoCal is incredibly hard to get the job for, regardless what the pay is.  <response>: 10hr untaxed vs 11.50 taxed, claiming that 11.50 x .69 would give me 7.93 effectiveThis is bullshit.Your self employment income is taxable and actually costs you more because not only do you pay income tax just as with a W-2 job, but you pay about 14.1 in Soc Security tax and Medicare tax instead of 7.65. You havent given us enough info about whether you should be classified as an employee or contractor, but the fact that he calls your income untaxed suggests your boss is trying to deceive you or argue that you should not pay taxes. 