Get ready for this: “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.”

Here’s the deal: “I’m going to give you $20,833 today. I want you to give me $5,448 no later than two years from now. You can keep the $15,385 difference, tax-free—no strings.”

It’s true. The lucky recipient could be you. To obtain the full $15,385 tax-free cash result in this deal (one of many COVID-19-related assistance programs), you must

be self-employed,

have no employees, and

have self-employment net profits of $100,000 or more.

If you are self-employed, you have no employees, and your net profits are

$75,000, you pocket $11,538, tax-free.

$50,000, you pocket $7,692, tax-free.

$25,000, you pocket ... Log in to view full article.