If I work for $12 an hour on the books in NYC...?

Question

What does that equal to, in take home pay, an hour? $10?

I have always worked off the books, so I want to get an idea of what I will be making.

Answer 1

How many personal exemptions will you take?  Are there union or other dues?  

Answer 2

Depends on your W-4 filing

whether you joint and contribute to 401k--YES, you should

whether you're repaying student loans, attending school

your filing status

Really impossible to say with this amount of background, but at least 20% withholding . . . .  

Answer 3

I'd be a little cautious about posting publically that you have been breaking the law by evading taxes on your income up to now.  You do realize that working "off the books" and not reporting it on a tax return is illegal?