EMPLOYEE vs. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
When a worker performs services and receives some form of remuneration, an important question is whether the remuneration is subject to employment taxes. The answer depends on whether the worker is an employee or an independent contractor. The determination of the worker's status depends on the facts in each case. These facts define the business relationship of the parties at the time the services are rendered.
Generally, a common law EMPLOYEE works for and performs services under the control of the party which pays for the services. On the other hand, an INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR is an individual in business for himself or herself, and performs the services free of control from the party which pays for the services.
Employment taxes apply solely to the remuneration paid to workers classified as EMPLOYEES. The employer's obligation is to deduct federal income tax withholding (FITW), to deduct as well as "match" social security (for 2011 the employee rate is 4.2%, the employer rate is 6.2%) and Medicare taxes (FICA), and to pay federal unemployment tax (FUTA). Also, there may be state income tax to be withheld and the employer and/or employee may have to pay state unemployment compensation contributions and state disability insurance. A business normally is not required to withhold taxes from payments made to independent contractors.
In addition, certain federal and state laws governing benefit plan participation, wage payment, working conditions and workers' compensation, apply ONLY to employees and not to independent contractors. For example, only employees may participate in a Section 401(k) pension plan, and only employees are protected by minimum wage and overtime pay laws.
I.R.S. Guidance
When determining under common law whether an individual is an employee or an independent contractor, the IRS stresses that ALL evidence of the degree of control and degree of independence must be considered. The IRS no longer uses a list of 20 factors (the "20-Factors Test") to evaluate a specific worker's situation. IRS' official guidance can be found in Publication 15-A, Employer's Supplemental Tax Guide (Supplement to Publication 15 (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide). This information outlines the facts that provide the evidence of the degree of control and independence which fall into three major categories: behavioral control, financial control, and the type of relationship between the parties:
- BEHAVIORAL CONTROL Facts that show whether the business has the right to direct and control how the worker does the task for which the worker is hired, include the type and degree of:
- Instructions the business gives the worker An employee is generally subject to the business' instructions about when, where and how to work. Even if no instructions are given, sufficient behavioral control may exist if the employer has the RIGHT to control how the work results are achieved.
- Training the business gives to the worker
An employee may be trained to perform services in a particular manner. Independent contractors, however, ordinarily use their own methods. - FINANCIAL CONTROL Facts that show whether the business has a right to control the business aspects of the worker's job include:
- The extent to which the worker has unreimbursed business expenses
Independent contractors are more likely to have unreimbursed expenses than employees. - The extent of the worker's investment
An independent contractor often has a significant investment in the facilities or tools used to perform services for someone else, but this is not mandatory. - The extent to which the worker makes services available to the relevant market
Employees tend to work for a single business. - How the business pays the worker
An employee generally is paid by the hour, week or month. An independent contractor usually is paid by the job. However, it is common in some professions, such as law, to pay independent contractors at an hourly rate. - The extent to which the worker can realize a profit or incur a loss
An independent contractor can make a profit or loss. - TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP Facts that show the type of relationship between the parties, include:
- Written contracts describing the type of relationship the parties intended to create
- Whether or not the business provides the worker with employee-type benefits, such as insurance, a pension plan, vacation pay, or sick pay
- The permanency of the relationship
If one engages a worker with the expectation that the relationship will continue indefinitely, rather than for a specific project or period, this is generally considered evidence the intent was to create an employer-employee relationship. - The extent to which services performed by the worker are a key aspect of the regular business of the company
If a worker provides services that are a key aspect of the company's business activity, it is more likely that the company will have the right to direct and control his or her activities. This would indicate an employer-employee relationship.
Upon request, the IRS will determine whether a worker is an employee. File Form SS-8 (Determination of Worker Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding). Note that some state unemployment compensation programs define “independent contractor” more narrowly than the IRS.
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