The determination as to whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor can have far reaching tax implications for both the worker and the employer.
In addition, eligibility for employer fringe benefits are controlled by this determination.
This determination becomes more vital in light of the voluntary worker classification program offered by the IRS. This program allows many employers to resolve past worker classification issues with the IRS. For a detailed discussion of this new IRS program please read Employers Playing Tax Games with Workers: IRS Offers Way to Come Clean.
The following briefly discusses the factors that are looked to in determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor:
Does the company control or have the right to control what the worker does and how the worker does his or her job?
Are the business aspects of the worker’s job controlled by the employer? Some of the factors to examine are the following:
Are there written contracts or employee type benefits (i.e. pension plan, insurance, vacation pay, etc.)?
Will the relationship continue and is the work performed a key aspect of the business?
Businesses must weigh all these factors when determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor. Some factors may indicate that the worker is an employee, while other factors indicate that the worker is an independent contractor.
There is no magic here. However, the following guidelines appear to be universal in all situations:
The keys are to look at the entire relationship, consider the degree or extent of the right to direct and control, and finally, to document each of the factors used in coming up with the determination.
This IRS Revenue Ruling 87-41 provides 20 factors to help determine whether sufficient control is present to establish an employer-employee relationship. The 20 factors have been developed based on an examination of cases and rulings considering whether an individual is an employee. Some basic considerations from this pronouncement are as follows:
For a complete listing and discussion of these 20 factors please see Employee Status Under Common Law: Rev. Ruling 87-41: 20 Factors
This form allows a taxpayer to submit their particular factual situation to the IRS for a determination of the employee/independent contractor status. A ruling usually takes about 6 months. It is also helpful and instructive to review this Form SS-8 since it lays out many detailed factors that the IRS looks to if you were to request a ruling from them on this issue.
Please understand that the above is merely an overview of the issues involved in this complex area. The correct determination of this worker classification issue for an employer will depend upon an analysis of their unique and particular factual situation. Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any questions or need our assistance.
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