Should I try to file a short lived job without a W-2, or should I continue with my taxes as if I never worked there?

[Tot]

Do I need to file taxes for a job I only worked and got paid for three days? The manager of the establishment cashed me out for about $60.00, and I have not yet received a W-2 for that, I am not even sure the IRS is aware I worked there, being that it was only three days and I did not received a paycheck from them.

[ToddL · Accepted solution]

The IRS requires you to report any income, however minor. Having said that, when an employer "cashes out" an 'employee' after a very short term of employment, no W-2 is issued to the 'employee' or reported to the IRS. 

If you try to report it as  Wages in the "Other Income not already reported on a Form W-2" interview (Other Common Income > Miscellaneous Income) the program will require you to prepare and file additional forms (Form 8919 and Form SS-8) that will serve no material purpose given the amount involved. 

You can, however, report the payment in the "Other reportable income" interview  (Other Common Income > Miscellaneous Income). Given the amount and duration involved, it is reasonable to argue this payment was not related to your "main job" but is more accurately described as "Casual Labor".

[Tot]

Thank you very much for your help!