Employee vs. Independent Contractor Status
By JEAN MURRAY published by The Balance Small Business
Updated November 20, 2019
States and the IRS Look at Worker Status - So Should You as an Employer
How do you tell an employee from an independent contractor? It's often a difficult question, but it's one that has many serious implications. The IRS watches closely to make sure workers are classified correctly.
"The biggest trigger of IRS audits is misclassifying employees as independent contractors," says Reva Lesonsky, of Yahoo Small Business.
Classifying Ride-Sharing Drivers
Here's a recent example (from 2015) that explains the difficulty: California's Labor Commission said that an Uber driver should be classified as an employee, not an independent contractor, as Uber (the on-demand ride sharing company) claims. This ruling affected only one driver, and several other states have ruled that Uber drivers are contractors. Uber appealed the ruling and another similar one in Florida.
More of these lawsuits, including some of the class action variety, are or will be headed to the courts soon. Note that it's not just the IRS, but states, that can make this determination.
Are you certain your workers are correctly classified?
This article looks at the definitions of employee and independent contractor, explains the benefits and disadvantages of employee and independent contractor status for employers, and discusses how the IRS evaluates individual cases,
1. What is an Employee?
Employee or Independent Contractor?. James Porter/Getty Images
An employee is a worker who performs services at the direction of an employer. In general, anyone who performs services for an organization is an employee if the organization can control what will be done and how it will be done.
2. Examples of Independent Contractors and Employees
Tech Careers has some great examples to show you the difference between an independent contractor and an employee. Don't forget that each case is different, though, so be sure to check with your legal advisor before you make any assumptions about whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee.
3. Salespeople as Independent Contractors vs. Employees
Salespeople fall into the same categories of employees vs. independent contractors. These situations are handled on a case-by-case basis, but one case stands out for its detail.
In a 2008 case in district appeals court, the Court (U.S. v. Porter) used the IRS 20-factor test and had some specific findings:
The salesmen (all men in this case) had no set territory, no set hours of work, and no one else had control over when they worked. All three of these factors indicate an independent contractor situation.
All of the salesmen had training, which consisted of riding along, providing advice, or seminars, but much of the training had to do with the specifics of the products being sold, rather than details of how to sell. The Court decided that this factor was only "minimally" decisive.
There was no requirement that the salesmen submit written reports, although some submitted these reports voluntarily.
Expenses were paid by the company and the salesmen were provided a vehicle to use to make sales calls and deliver products. Both of these factors indicate an employment relationship.
The salesmen did not invest in facilities to use in performing duties; they were reimbursed for these expenses, indicate an employer-employee relationship.
Either the salesman or the company could terminate the relationship at any time - this indicates an employment situation.
Finally, the salesmen said they were not provided with health benefits or other employee benefits.
The Court's decision said that there were a number of factors indicating an independent contractor relationship, but they were not compelling enough to change the status of these salesmen from employees to independent contractors.
4. What is an Independent Contractor?
An independent contractor is an individual or business that provides services to another individual or business. The independent contractor is a separate business entity and is not considered an employee. Some examples of independent contractors are consultants, agents, or brokers.
5. How Employees and Independent Contractors Are Paid and Pay Reported
Employees are paid on an hourly or salaried basis, and they receive a W-2 showing their total earnings for the year. Independent contractors are paid by the job or by the hour, and they receive a 1099-MISC showing their total payments for the year.
NOTE: The way a worker gets paid is not a factor that the IRS uses to determine whether the worker is an independent contractor or an employee.
6. Independent Contractor or Employee - What is the Difference?
The IRS looks at three broad areas in making its determinations of whether a worker is an employee or contractor. On a case-by-case basis, the IRS considers behavioral control, financial control, and the relationship between the worker and employer. Understanding these factors can help you in considering whether to hire an employee or a contractor.
7. IRS Test to Determine Worker Status
The IRS previously used a "20-factor test" to makes its determinations on worker status. The IRS used these factors as a guideline, not a checklist, and cases, as now, were decided on a case-by-case basis. While the test is no longer specifically used, it can be a guide for you in considering whether a worker is an employee or contractor.
8. Request an IRS Determination Using Form SS-8
You can request a determination letter from the IRS on the status of a worker, using Form SS-8. Getting a determination voluntarily can help you avoid fines and penalties for misclassification of a worker.;
9. Advantages and Disadvantages of Hiring Employees vs. Contractors
When you start a new business, you will invariably decide that you need help. Most small business owners start out by hiring outside contractors to do work for them, but at some point, you may decide to hire an employee or two. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of hiring employees vs. independent contractors.