Questions on Contract work

[brett05]

My wife has an opportunity to do some contract work as a medical interpretter. They are asking her to pay a $375 training fee as well as provide a business license. Anyone ever hear of something like this? Seems ultra wierd to me. Almost scam like.

Thanks in advance

 

[nwfisch]

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

I would have concerns as well.

 

[brett05]

Not many jobs ask you to pay for training. And I was a contractor once, but didn't need a license. Though I did go thru a company for that.

My wife has done contract work for the local school district and they required no license.

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Not weird at all since she currently isn't employed by them.

 

[nwfisch]

I'd also google the company name and see what comes up.

 

[Crystallas]

Yeah, that's not unusual at all. Many self-employed clients prefer the "business expense" for training as a tax write-off. It helps small start-ups connect with other small self-start-ups. At least that's how it was designed. Unfortunately in states like IL, you get the max tax penalty. If you want to self-start, you need to be somewhat rich in the first place or be an expert on the system in place(which being an expert in both the tax codes and business codes can be a full-time job on it's own.)

However, many businesses do use it as a loophole to sell "training" for something utterly useless, and leave an open end out of the contract within a certain period of time. A scam for sure, make sure you check out the institution thoroughly if she plans on going this route.

 

[brett05]

Thanks.

I found it wierd since the Plainfield School District didn't ask for any of this. Given the travel and the tiny salary ($15/hr) I think she's going to pass.

Wierd though, even the courts don't ask for her to be a business.

 

[brett05]

Anyone have an idea how much it costs to become a licensed business? I mean it sounds like we have to shell out hundreds if not thousands of dollars first.

 

[clonetrooper264]

I don't actually know anything, but I'd echo the sentiment of be on your guard.

 

[Crystallas]

Anyone have an idea how much it costs to become a licensed business? I mean it sounds like we have to shell out hundreds if not thousands of dollars first.

Different licenses for different needs. The catch-22 is, that all businesses exchange goods and services, so be careful, you might need to stack licenses in certain municipalities. I'm basically limited liability, mine cost $250 for 2 years, and I need to keep another permit that is completely unrelated to what I do, which costs me $1600 per year.

 

[brett05]

thanks Crys. For $15/hr that is a joke. She said thanks but no thanks.

 

[Crystallas]

:shrug: Yeah, you have to be prepared and know exactly what you want to do when requiring so much up-front. I wouldn't want to take a wage job for contract work either. It defeats the purpose of staying independent in so many ways. But, since I don't know the pros here, I can't say much else. G/L to her.