Tips for Classifying Independent Contractors vs Employees from the IRS

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As we are approaching a new year, it is a good time to review important tips for classifying employees. The IRS has provided some very useful guidelines for determining the difference between an independent contractor versus an employee. This will affect how much you pay in taxes, whether you need to withhold from your workers’ paychecks and what tax documents you need to file.

The IRS has provided information on seven key issues every business should know about concerning hiring people as independent contractors versus hiring them as employees.

  1. The IRS uses three characteristics to determine the relationship between businesses and workers:
    • Behavioral Control covers facts that show whether the business has a right to direct or control how the work is done through instructions, training or other means.
    • Financial Control covers facts that show whether the business has a right to direct or control the financial and business aspects of the worker’s job.
    • Type of Relationship relates to how the workers and the business owner perceive their relationship.
  2. If you have the right to control or direct not only what is to be done, but also how it is to be done, then your workers are most likely employees.
  3. If you can direct or control only the result of the work done — and not the means and methods of accomplishing the result — then your workers are probably independent contractors.
  4. Employers who misclassify workers as independent contractors can end up with substantial tax bills. Additionally, they can face penalties for failing to pay employment taxes and for failing to file required tax forms.
  5. Workers can avoid higher tax bills and lost benefits if they know their proper status.
  6. Both employers and workers can ask the IRS to make a determination on whether a specific individual is an independent contractor or an employee by filing a Form SS-8, Determination of Worker Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding, with the IRS.

You can learn more about the critical determination of a worker’s status as an Independent Contractor or Employee at IRS.gov by selecting the Small Business link. Additional resources are listed below and are available on the IRS website or by calling the IRS at 800-829-3676 (800-TAX-FORM).

For Additional Information:

Publication 15-A, Employer’s Supplemental Tax Guide
Publication 1779, Independent Contractor or Employee
Publication 1976, Do You Qualify for Relief under Section 530
Form SS-8, Determination of Worker Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding