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Are you looking for a job that pays in cash? How about one that lets you skip the usual job application formalities, such as examinations, training, and onboarding? If you say yes, there are under-the-table jobs you can apply for!
Off the book jobs allow you to earn an extra income without being “formally” employed by a company. These jobs are often short-term, on-demand, and seasonal, but you can turn them into a stable, lucrative career in the long run. Under the table jobs also allow you to earn extra cash while working on a flexible schedule quickly.
What are under the table jobs?
But before we dive right into the wide selection of under the table jobs in 2021, let us first understand under the table jobs meaning.
First, an under the table job is an employment opportunity that does not conform to standard practices. These jobs are also often referred to as cash-in-hand or off-the-book jobs. With this type of job, you become an independent contractor responsible for reporting your income and filing your taxes.
I know the phrase “under the table” seems a little suspicious, even daunting. But under the table jobs are perfectly legal employment opportunities. Their main drawback is that 1). you are not formally employed as a regular employee (so you are not eligible for benefits) 2.) you must work on your taxes.
Disclaimer: I highly encourage you to report your income and file your taxes. Tax evasion is a serious case. If you’re unsure about your tax situation and how you should file, please consult a tax professional.
What to expect with under the table jobs
Are under the table jobs legal? What will be your employment status? How are you going to get paid? I bet you have the same questions. So before you dive into any of the under the table jobs listed below, make sure to set your expectations right.
1. You’ll likely to be paid in cash after each project.
If working remotely or on freelance basis, you may receive your payment digitally through services like PayPal, Payoneer, or online remittance.
2. You are not insured while on the job.
If you hurt yourself while working under the table, you cannot go after your employer and demand compensation. You will be responsible for your medical bills if you get sick or injured.
3. You are not officially on the payroll.
Since you are not a regular employee, you are not entitled to sick leaves, paid vacations, health and dental insurance, and other forms of benefits.
4. Importantly, you file your own taxes.
According to TurboTax, you may not file a tax return if your annual income does not meet the minimum threshold (which can vary depending on your filing status and age, among other considerations). But because taxes can be a complicated matter, please refer to your tax professional for advice.
How to find under the table jobs?
Wondering how to get under the table jobs?
Under the table jobs are everywhere, and taking your search both online and offline will help you find the best gigs.
- Nextdoor – This is a site the connects members of a neighborhood. Some people post their need for workers, while others advertise the services they offer on the site. What makes Nextdoor an ideal place to look is that you can find under the table jobs hiring now that are around your local neighborhood or community, so they’re more convenient to attend to.
- Craigslist – This another useful site that allows you to search for under the table jobs around your area. Craigslist has a jobs and gigs section, so your search should start from there. As Craigslist is largely uncensored, it’s important to take caution when applying for any opportunity on this site.
- Job boards – Most job listing sites tend to list traditional career opportunities, but there are niche job sites that list under the table jobs online. For instance, if you’re looking for freelance or remote gigs, sites like Fiverr or UpWork are excellent destinations. Those who are looking for handyman jobs may go to Angie’s List, while odd jobs are largely available on TaskRabbit.
- Facebook – since Facebook is such a massive social media platform, the connections you build here can be instrumental in landing you under the table and part-time jobs. You can advertise your services to let your social circles know that they can hire you for that specific work. It’s also a good idea to join local Facebook groups and network with people in the same industry. by answering questions or providing quality content, potential clients may directly approach you for opportunities.
- Ask your family and friends – and of course, you can just tell people that you’re free to tutor or babysit their kids, mow their lawn, or do their hairstyle for important events. Word-of-mouth is still an effective form of marketing even in this modern age, so just straight up say you’re up to these jobs when they need a hand.
Best Under the Table Jobs For Quick Cash
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1. Landscaping /gardening jobs
If you’re quite adept with plants, your neighbors could hire you under the table to do some landscaping or gardening work for them. Some people just don’t have the time or energy to prune their plants, transplant their seedlings, and beautify their gardens, so they’ll most likely hire a gardener or landscaper for such tasks. You don’t even need special expertise in this. If you have some basic knowledge and the right tools, you should be good to go. And while this is quite a seasonal job, you might find a client who’ll want you to work on their gardens on a weekly basis.
2. Photographer
Have the knack for taking wonderful photos? You can work under the table as a photographer. There’s plenty of work for photographers, from covering weddings and birthdays to taking family portraits and maternity photoshoots. You can even take lots of stock photos and sell them on stock photography sites like Shutterstock, Dreamstime, and Getty Images. To make sure you attract potential clients, build a portfolio with your first few gigs. As soon as you’ve got something good to show, you can start to increase your rates reasonably.
3. Snow removal jobs
Shoveling snow is tedious work, so many people, especially the elderly, delegate this task to someone else. You don’t need any fancy training to begin shoveling snow. You just need to tell your neighbors that you can do the job for them. At the very least, you’ll need a good shovel or snow blower. This is a seasonal job, but one that’s easy to score around your neighborhood during winter.
4. Painting
Painting is a monotonous job, so a lot of people would rather hire an under the table painter than do it themselves. Your job may involve painting a room, the entire or sections of a house, patio, shed, or the exterior walls. While you have to provide your own materials, such as brushes, rollers, and ladder, the homeowner will provide you with the paint. You can also negotiate your rate depending on the coverage of the painting job. As with most manual labor, you can offer your services personally, or find under the table gigs online.
5. Cleaning jobs
Cleaning jobs vary depending on what the client needs. You may be asked to clean the entire house, or just portions of it. You can charge for your time and labor and even increase your rate if you’re asked to bring your cleaning materials. If you strike a good relationship with the homeowner, you may even negotiate a regular cleaning arrangement (weekly, for instance), which means more consistent income. Searching for “under the table cleaning jobs near me?” Housekeeper.com is an excellent place to find them.
6. Selling crafts
If you’re skilled and passionate about creating things, such as jewelry, home décor, giveaways, and ornaments, then you might as well make money from it under the table.
Crafting is a fun way to make an income. Handmade goods are pretty much in-demand the entire year, although it helps to create what’s in season for them to be truly marketable. You can then sell your products in bazaars, festivals, and trade fairs. Or, you could open an Etsy shop so you can sell them online. Selling crafts are wonderful options for under the table jobs for the disabled, retirees, and stay-at-home parents.
Related: 33 Easy Crafts to Make and Sell
7. Selling baked goodies
Whether it’s the holidays or the regular days, there’s always a market for baked goods such as cakes, cookies, and muffins. Customers could come to have their birthday cakes made, or you could set up a small shop to put your products on display. Additionally, you could consign them in restaurants and coffee shops. Baking can be a lucrative business if you market it right.
8. Selling fruits and vegetables
Have a garden with plenty of produce? Sell the surplus and make some money under the table. Fruits and vegetables are staple products in most families, so if you harvested way too many than your family can consume, it’s good to sell them at the farmer’s market. Alternatively, you can mention to your neighbors that you’re selling your produce, or post an ad in your local Facebook group.
9. Become a pet sitter
This is probably the ultimate under the table job for animal lovers. Pet owners hire pet sitters to look after their pets while they’re away for work or vacation, so you’ll probably score a pet sitting job with one of your neighbors.
Pet sitting is a fun way to earn some cash. Your job will most likely entail walking the animals, feeding them and playing with them. If their humans need to be away overnight, you could have their pets over at your home and charge extra for the accommodation.
If you think this is the right gig for you, sign up for sites like Rover and Wag! You can create a profile and advertise your pet-sitting services there, so it’s easier for you to connect with potential clients.
10. Reselling/flipping items
Reselling or flipping is the method of purchasing items for a low price, and then selling them with a markup. Almost anyone can resell. You’ll want to visit clearance sales, garage sales, the flea market, and other places where you can find products that are sold for cheap (some even give them away for free!). You can then take them to Craigslist or Facebook and sell them for a profit. You may also consider selling through Amazon’s retail arbitrage.
11. Tutoring
Are you especially good at a specific subject? Well, you can turn your knowledge into cash by tutoring. Given the educational set up we have today, a lot of parents are looking for tutors for their kids to supplement their learning. math and science tutors are always in-demand, but so are English teachers. You may teach the kids personally if their location is convenient. But you may also consider exploring online tutorial platforms such as Magic Ears, VIPKid, and Skooli if you’re looking for more flexibility. Apart from academic subjects, you may also provide tutorials on extra-curriculars, such as sport and music.
12. DJing
Many people hire DJs for their events, so if you have a knack for mixing music, this can be the right gig for you. DJs are often hired at weddings, birthday parties, reunions, and many more. You’ll have to invest in your own set-up, such as a music console, laptop, and headset, but you’ll be using them in all your gigs anyway. You can initially DJ for your friends or family’s events, and then ask them to help you spread the word out about your DJing services. Over time, you can turn this into a well-paying career.
13. Babysitting
When it comes to under the table jobs that pay cash right away, babysitting is a classic. From teenagers, college students to stay-at-home moms, baby-sitting remains to be a top option for earning cash pretty quickly.
Parents typically hire babysitters so they can run errands, attend events, or just need some time for themselves, even if it’s just a couple of hours. If you’re good with kids, this can be a lucrative income-generating gig for you. You can even charge more if you can tutor their kids at the same time. You can search for under the table caregiver jobs near me by looking at lists on Care.com, Sitter.com, and Sittercity.com.
14. Odd jobs
Another great way to make some money under the table is by doing odd jobs. By “odd” meaning, you’ll do some minor tasks around the home, such as repairing, moving, painting and more. If you’re quite handy with tools, you could take on some handyman work as well. You’ll most likely to get paid in cash as soon as the job is done, so doing odd jobs is a nice way to make some cash right away. Apart from finding work in your local social media groups, you could also score some gigs on sites like TaskRabbit.
Related: 12 Must-Try Apps for Odd Jobs
15. Freelance writer
Freelance writing is excellent under the table gig for those who are good with stringing words and conveying a message to the audience. As a freelance writer, you can work with digital agencies, marketing firms, bloggers or work exclusively for companies.
If you think this is a job you can do, consider building up a writing portfolio so you can have something to show to your potential clients. You can apply directly to companies and agencies, or start with content writing sites to gain some experience.
Related: Write and Get Paid Instantly: 38 Best Websites for Paid Writing Work
16. Freelance graphic designer
If you have a passion for creative design, working as a graphic designer could be a perfect under the table job for you. Lots of people and businesses require graphic designers. You could be designing logos, websites, brochures and flyers, business cards, and concepts for print-on-demand businesses.
Although some people work as graphic designers full-time, you can take gigs here and there on a freelance basis. Online job marketplaces like Fiverr and UpWork have lots of listing for graphic design gigs you can apply to.
17. Delivery driver
If you have lots of spare time and you live right at the heart of the city, working as a delivery driver is an excellent under the table job for you. You could deliver packages for Amazon, or work as a delivery driver for apps like DoorDash and Postmates.
You are in control of your own schedule, you can work as much or as little as you like, and you’ll usually keep all of your tips. You’ll use your own car in making the deliveries, but most companies would also allow you to deliver with a bike or scooter.
18. Instructor
Are you good at a specific skill, such as knitting, swimming, cooking, or playing musical instruments? You can make money from these skills by taking in students and teaching them what you know. For instance, many parents enroll their kids in ballet or music lessons, so consider opening up classes on the weekends or school breaks. You could also teach a group of moms how to bake, yoga or create crafts. This under the table job is fun because you get to create a network with other people and make money by teaching them what you know.
19. Hairstyling/hairdressing
Are you up to the latest trends in hair cuts and colors? If so, you may work as a hairstylist or hairdresser. Although a lot of people work in salons, you can put up your own business by accepting customers right in your own home or servicing them at their residence. Apart from the basic haircut styles, you also need to know how to color hair and perform hair treatments. Since most people need to regularly visit their stylist, this can be a nice under the table job that pays consistently if you manage to nurture your customer’s loyalty.
20. Event planning
Some people just don’t the skill, time, or effort to run the perfect parties, so they turn to event planners to make sure everything goes by smoothly. If you are a meticulous and organized person with lots of connections with party suppliers, this can be a profitable job for you. You can manage children’s birthday parties, anniversaries, reunions, engagement parties, and more! It’s truly a fun way to make money under the table. Plus, if you pull off a successful party, your clients would be happy to refer you to their friends as well, therefore expanding your clientele.
21. Car washing
All people need their cars washed at some point, but many of them just don’t have the time or energy to deal with their dirty vehicles. Car washing can earn you some money under the table, although it’s not as lucrative as other jobs. However, since all you need are some soap, water, rags, and wax to start cleaning cars, the initial investment is minimal. Also, you will get paid each time you finish washing, so it’s certainly a fantastic way to make money fast.
22. Tour guide
Working as a tour guide can be an excellent side hustle and under the table job, especially if you live in a touristy area. Vacationers often hire tour guides to show them the local destinations and the best places to eat. If you have excellent interpersonal skills and know your area very well, you could consider taking this job. If you work for yourself, you’ll most likely to get paid right after each tour.
Under the Table Jobs: Are You Ready To Get To Work?
These are just some of the many jobs you can do under the table. Some of them may not be for you, but surely, you’ll one or two that you can do. Take inventory of your skills, interest, and passion, and from there, decide which job or jobs fit you the best.
And as a parting reminder, under the table jobs are unreported employment, so you are basically working on your own or as an independent contractor. I urge you to take the necessary insurances if your job is high-risk. Importantly, make sure to take care of your taxes. Consult a tax professional if you’re unsure how to file your tax returns from the income you’ve earned under the table.
Are you working on any of these under the table jobs? What other gigs can you recommend? Let’s connect in the comments.
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