officiating = official job?

MrsSantos · #1 (**permalink**) Sat May 21, 2005, 06:22pm

this topic may sound weird, but ok, here is the information you need:
i am german. i got my license here and i am thinking about getting my highschool license in the USA. of course i do want to officiate games then, but i dont know if it counts as a job, because of the fees that are paid. i know that they are low - but the question is: do i need a working permission / greencard to officiate games or is the fee that is paid just a "thank you". if no one here can help me, anyone can give me information who actually does pay the fees? do you have to list them with your regular income for the taxes?

thanks already ;o)

BktBallRef · #2 (**permalink**) Sat May 21, 2005, 08:22pm

You will probably have to speak with a tax expert about such an issue. For a job, you would have to obtain a green card. But must officiating fees are paid as an independent contractor, which is not the same as being an employee.

ljudge · #3 (**permalink**) Sat May 21, 2005, 08:37pm

MrsSantos...cheat on your taxes, we all do!!! Welcome to America!

Now for some real food for thought....

Can you imagine working for a company that has a little more than 500 employees and has the following statistics:

29 have been accused of spousal abuse

7 have been arrested for fraud

19 have been accused of writing bad checks

117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses

3 have done time for assault

71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit

14 have been arrested on drug-related charges

8 have been arrested for shoplifting

21 are currently defendants in lawsuits

84 have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year

Can you guess which organization this is?

Give up yet?

It's the 535 members of the United States Congress.

The same group of Idiots that crank out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in line.

SC Ump · #4 (**permalink**) Sat May 21, 2005, 08:47pm

Quote:

Originally posted by MrsSantos
...do i need a working permission / greencard to officiate games or is the fee that is paid just a "thank you".

"Right to work" status is required. It is minimal amounts of money, but even small "thank you" sums have to be reported when filing taxes.

MrsSantos · #5 (**permalink**) Sun May 22, 2005, 03:48pm

thanks for the replies, i guess i have to do some more research. today i heard about an official from germany who was over in the states, i will ask him how it worked out for him.

just an idea: if i refuse to take the money, then i dont have to pay taxes and need no greencard to officiate?

ref18 · #6 (**permalink**) Sun May 22, 2005, 08:45pm

If you come to Canada, you don't need anything but a whistle and a uniform

jjrye22 · #7 (**permalink**) Mon May 23, 2005, 06:48am

Quote:

Originally posted by ref18
If you come to Canada, you don't need anything but a whistle and a uniform

AND an understanding of Canadian rules and mechanics!!!! Not to be underestimated.

James

Bob M. · #8 (**permalink**) Mon May 23, 2005, 08:24am

REPLY: One other thing...in many (most, I would presume) parts of the US, sports officials are not considered employees, but rather private contractors. I think that would affect your ability to get a green card since there may not be a "sponsor" for your work activities. I'm really not sure of all the laws surrounding this. As others have said, get in touch with an immigration attorney here who understands the laws and requirements fully.

ljudge · #9 (**permalink**) Mon May 23, 2005, 11:18am

Bob, you bring up an interesting point. I've always been under the impression we're private contractors. I brought this up last year and was told that because we're "assigned" by an official assignor that may not necessarily be true. Exactly what is our status in NJ?

JugglingReferee · #10 (**permalink**) Mon May 23, 2005, 11:39am

Quote:

Originally posted by jjrye22

Quote:

Originally posted by ref18
If you come to Canada, you don't need anything but a whistle and a uniform

AND an understanding of Canadian rules and mechanics!!!! Not to be underestimated.

James

If ref18 can get games, anyone can!

LOL - just joking J.

BktBallRef · #11 (**permalink**) Mon May 23, 2005, 12:56pm

Quote:

Originally posted by ref18
If you come to Canada, you don't need anything but a whistle and a uniform

That explains it!

Bob Mc · #12 (**permalink**) Mon May 23, 2005, 06:33pm

Quote:

Originally posted by ljudge
MrsSantos...The same group of Idiots that crank out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep the rest of us in line.

Do I sense some resentment here?

Dommer1 · #13 (**permalink**) Tue May 24, 2005, 02:51am

MrsSantos,

I think you'll find that you might have to give the school your social security number to get paid, and unless you are a legal resident (permanent or temporary), I don't think you can get one.

So look at it as a fun experience, and do it for free. If you would happen to collect some money for it, great! But I think you should probably expect not to get paid.

Game fees are also normally paid by checks (yes, they still exist in the US), and those are often mailed out. Again, that could make it difficult for you collecting your game fee.

Bob M. · #14 (**permalink**) Tue May 24, 2005, 08:07am

REPLY: ljudge...we were offered a legal opinion that--even though assigned--we were still considered independent contractors. If we were employees, the assigner would need to pay a state employment tax. Ask you assigners if they do that?!?!

Also, you're under no real obligation to accept the assignment like you would be if you were an employee. You just happen to be an independent contractor that the assigner goes to when he has a game to fill.

waltjp · #15 (**permalink**) Wed May 25, 2005, 07:57am

Bob,

I remember at least one article in Referee that covered this topic. I'll go through my past issues and see if I can find it.

Walt