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WSB Forum » Freebies, Deals, Sales, Trades, Barters

1. lyw101
   Member Profile

   Do you need a FREE place to live? I have a furnished bedroom, private shower, free wifi, utilities & private entrance for you, if: you will provide care for my 9 year old daughter when I am working (Tue & Wed 3p-11p, Thu & Fri 3p-7p, Sat 10a-7p). You cannot have allergies to dogs or cats, no animals of your own that are not house trained, no smoking (outside is ok), not a criminal, have a car or at least a driver's license. Not a drug user and not a drunk. A female is preferred. We have a very nice place to live off California ave near Lincoln Park. 206.940.5800 or jnrummer@yahoo.com.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

2. Diane
   Member Profile

   

   this is not FREE, if someone is required to work 88.2 hrs per month; even at min wage, this would cost the resident of your 'free' room $765 per month; I pay just a bit more than that for my own apt; this is a barter/trade; please don't advertise it as free; it is not

   Posted 8 months ago #         

3. Cait
   Member Profile

   

   Since this is more like a job posting, you may want to post what sort of actual pay you are going to offer aside from this person being a live in nanny for free. I agree with Diane, it's a bit misleading.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

4. funkietoo
   Member Profile

   Sounds like a great opportunity for a College student that needs a place to live. Or someone that has just lost their home due to the economic conditions. Beats living in their car...if they even have one.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

5. Que
   Member Profile

   I wonder what the labor laws are about an arrangement like this...

   Posted 8 months ago #         

6. kootchman
   Member Profile

   IRS would like to chat with you I am betting... this is reportable income. oooops!

   Posted 8 months ago #         

7. hopey
   Member Profile

   

   That was my thought as well. You can get around it by putting a dollar value on the room & board and paying the requisite taxes. I think. Check with an IRS-savvy accountant to be sure.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

8. Bostonman
   Member Profile

   To the homeowner technically a wash since normally you would have to include the value as taxable income but if you pay a nanny you would provide them with a 1099 to then deduct the taxes. The party with the tax liability is the renter since they can't deduct rent expense.

   Disclaimer: I have been an accountant for 16 years but I am not a expert in personal taxes but do have experience in tax situations with the IRS.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

9. lyw101
   Member Profile

   Thank you for the clarification Bostonman.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

10. Diane
    Member Profile

    

    and you can only use 1099 up to a certain dollar amount; anyone?

    Posted 8 months ago #         

11. Bostonman
    Member Profile

    Don't think thats true anymore Diane. They did remove the minimum on it though. We use some independent contractors where I work who receive 1099's over $100k

    Posted 8 months ago #         

12. Diane
    Member Profile

    

    hmmm, I don't have time to look it up right now, but I'd be shocked if they removed max, especially with all the flak businesses are getting these days for using 'contract' to avoid paying FTE with bens; if you can find IRS code on this, would love to know

    Posted 8 months ago #         

13. Jiggers
    Member Profile

    

    Free means to me "No strings attached"

    Posted 8 months ago #         

14. Bostonman
    Member Profile

    I just spoke with my HR department. She said there are lots of ways around paying no benefits. If I had my own company and did consulting work they would not need to offer me benefits. I would need to pay for them myself.

    I can look through the overly complicated tax code another time I guess. Just going to the IRS website reminds me why I didn't get into taxation.

    Posted 8 months ago #         

15. dhg
    Member Profile

    

    The forum can be so harsh. First: it is not free, true, but nothing is. When a furniture store says you get a free ottoman you know you have to buy the chair to get it, you can't just walk away with the ottoman. Second: "care for" is a little indistinct when it comes to work. If she's a normal healthy girl and the person wants someone there to be sure she's safe then that's a different matter from shoveling coal. This could be the perfect place for a retired woman looking for a way to live on just Social Security. So, lighten up people.

    ***NOTE*** just had a thought, this job is PERFECT for forum nannies!

    Posted 8 months ago #         

16. Jiggers
    Member Profile

    

    I just looked up the word "Free" in the dictionary. Would you like me to copy and paste what the actual word means? Don't deceive people. The add should say "services required in exchange for room and board."

    Posted 8 months ago #         

17. drdr
    Member Profile

    Really people? You're gonna start debating taxes and IRS over this? Don't you have something better to bicker about?

    Is it misleading? Maybe a little. But before I clicked on it, I assumed that there was some sort of deal to be made. Maybe a "maintain premises" or something like that.

    Posted 8 months ago #         

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