How long after not being paid do you have to wait until you can file for unpaid wages in small claims court?

[laureano97]

I worked on a deck for this 24 year guy he has his own company but i guess he's not that legit because he only paid me 17 out of 40 hours of work done. I have a paper that states he paid me $140 and still owes me $180 its a bit more detailed then that but it has both our signatures and the date on it. Its been 2 weeks since the job was complete and thats when he paid me the $140 and said he would pay me the rest in 2 or 3 days. What can i do to get my money. Also it was under the table work does that matter or would court just take the taxes out for me? idk help please and thank you

[yehudi]

You can sue him now. And the work isn't under the table unless it's not reported at the end of the year. You should list the income you receive (but not the unpaid income owed to you as of Dec. 31, 2012) on your tax return as self-employment income. If you want, you can make his life hell by filing a complaint with the IRS for improper withholding, but if it was a contract for a single job, he's probably in the clear for that.

[jocheved]

ask him for your pay and then call the labor board.