Despite the weakness in the economy, many of the districts said employment was healthy, and some reported higher wages for entry-level workers.

The Mayor reported wages of $115,256 after investing part of his $130,000 salary in a tax-deferred pension.

Other potential red flags are reporting wages from or maintaining residences in more than one state, tax professionals say.

Most people with telephone access can report wages using our automated wage reporting system.

The Patakis reported wages of $121,000 in 1994, mainly from his law practice and his salary as a state Senator.

He said that the disparity between the number of people reporting wages from one quarter to the next was one indication of the survey's imprecision.

Nor did it include information from employers who are not required to report wages at all, like farm owners.

And the way the immigration laws are enforced makes illegal workers especially fearful to report substandard wages and dangerous working conditions, experts say.

Employers must report wages and salaries on Form W-2.

Their W-2 forms, reporting wages and salaries, must be attached to returns.