As our economy continues its struggle to recover many of us are turning to work at home jobs. Stay at home moms and dads are finding a need to supplement or create a main source of income. College students and many others are discovering the benefits of working from home and saving on gas, wardrobe, commute and meals. But what kinds of jobs are available, and what makes a job legitimate?

First of all let's differentiate between at home jobs and at home opportunities or businesses. Having a job whether you are at home, in an office, at a warehouse or any other location, means you are an employee.

As an employee you have certain rights dictated by labor laws. Your employer must deduct payroll taxes from your check as well as social security and Medicare contributions and he must issue you a W-2 to report your earnings and deductions for tax filing purposes.

If you participate in a work at home opportunity or business, there is no doubt that you will work, but these are not at home jobs. No matter how many instructions you have to follow, you are not an employee. You may be considered an independent contractor, sole proprietor, individual, or subcontractor, but you are not an employee.

No one will deduct taxes or contributions from your paycheck and you are responsible for submitting the proper payments to the proper government entities, namely the IRS. This is a simple process, but remember that it is your responsibility.

Some of the most popular at home jobs include customer service, call center work, virtual assistant, telemarketing, writing and research. Big name companies such as U-Haul hire home workers to handle incoming calls and customer service and pay on an hourly basis. Research companies such as Westat hire workers to conduct phone interviews. These are nationwide companies and there are many others.

Companies are finding that telecommuting is a profitable way to conduct business. If you have experience you may easily find a telecommuting job with a well known company simply by accessing the careers tab on their website.

Speaking of experience and locality, many at home jobs can be found locally. Companies have come to realize many employees are more productive at home. They may require that an employee only come to the office to pick up work. Some companies have a “come when necessary” policy while others have a more standard schedule such as three days at home, two in the office.

In your search for at home jobs, be sure to thoroughly check your potential employer. Contact the Better Business Bureau and local government to confirm the business identity. Conduct an online search of the company's history. You should always know who you are working for, and what type of reputation they possess.

HomeJobStop is one of the one of the best resources we know of for finding telecommuting at home jobs. If this is type of work at home is what you are seeking, we strongly recommend that you register with them. You can find their website by clicking here. Good Luck!