[pianotech] Even been audited?

[David Ilvedson]

If you pay self-employment taxes, you pay into social security.  I get a notice every year of my approximate benefits if I retire at 62 or if I die, what my wife and daughter, as survivors would be entitled to...don't you get the same type letter.   Now, if you are doing everything under the table and don't have much "declared" income, you will have very little SS when the time comes and very low taxes.   Now, that would probably trigger an audit...I don't think their going to abolish SS any time soon, but I don't intend to be relying on anyway.   I'm never going to completely retire.   That's the only way I'll be able to make ends meet as I get older...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: <pianoguru at cox.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 2/12/2009 6:27:21 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Even been audited?


>I have never been audited.  I don't think being a piano tech is a red flag, but I have 
>been told that some of the thinks we do can be  a red flag, e.g. home-office 
>expenses, especially if it appears excessive.  

>I have also been told that it is difficult for piano tech's to get Social Security 
>retirement benefits, simply because the IRS finds it difficult to believe we will not 
>continue doing "business as usual," just doing it under the table.  Not that it matters 
>much.  There will be no SS benefits for anyone in a few years.

>Frank Emerson