Hi,

I have a Non-B visa with a work permit as a freelance journalist. Time to renew is coming up, but I don't have any paperwork whatsoever for the past year. The media company that I write for makes the checks out to my Mother, and I just let her keep it (least I could do for putting up with me as a teenager). My 'real' job is a totally separate affair, for which I have a different work permit for and pay taxes on.

Any ideas on what I can expect when I go to renew later this week? Can I show that I pay taxes on my 'real' job? Can I just tell them the situation? What do you think?

Immigration will expect you to pay taxes over both jobs, that you give away your money is an entirely different affair. You can do that, but you are still required to pay taxes over your income. No matter what, it is tax evasion and you better take care of it.