independent contractor

Template: Worker Classification/Independent Contract vs. Employee

The question of whether a worker is an independent contractor or employee for federal income and employment tax purposes is a complex one. It is intensely factual, and the stakes can be very high. If a worker is an employee, the company must withhold federal income and payroll taxes, pay the employer's share of FICA taxes on the wages plus FUTA tax, and often provide the worker with fringe benefits it makes available to other employees. There may be state tax obligations as well. These obligations don't apply for a worker who is an independent contractor. The business sends the [...]

November 26th, 2013|Business Tax|Comments Off on Template: Worker Classification/Independent Contract vs. Employee

IRS’s “common law” test to determine independent contractor/employee status

It’s critical for an enterprise periodically to review the status of its workers and see if they are properly classified. An enterprise must withhold federal income tax, social security taxes, and federal unemployment taxes on wages it pays workers who are employees. It also may have to provide them with the same fringe benefits and retirement plan coverage available to its other employees. There may be state tax obligations as well. By contrast, these responsibilities don’t apply for workers who are independent contractors. The business simply cuts them a check for their services and sends them a Form 1099-MISC. [...]

June 28th, 2013|Business Tax|Comments Off on IRS’s “common law” test to determine independent contractor/employee status
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