Source: https://www.berliner.com/article/contractor-employee-legal-pitfalls-worker-classification/
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 04:26:48+00:00

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The biggest difference many employers notice is the benefits they must provide.
Who Regulates the Classification of Workers?
Where Does the Government Start in Determining the Status of a Worker?
DLSE starts with the presumption that the worker is an employee. Labor Code Section 3357. This is a rebuttable presumption however, and the actual determination of whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor depends upon a number of factors, all of which must be considered, and none of which is controlling by itself.
The term “employee” includes every individual performing services if the relationship between him and the person for whom he performs services is the legal relationship of employer and employee. Generally the relationship of employer and employee exists when the person for whom services are performed has the right to control and direct the individual who performs the services, not only as to the result to be accomplished by the work but also as to the details and means by which that result is accomplished.
Example: Pariani v. Commissioner – Doctor who performed medical services for a professional association he had organized, and of which he was the sole shareholder and president, was an employee with respect to his duties as president and the medical services he provided.
Example: Ewens & Miller, Inc. v. Commissioner – Tax Court looked to several factors, such as degree of control, investment in facilities, and permanency of relationship, to determine that certain workers affiliated with a bakery were employees.
*Traveling or city salespersons engaged upon a full-time basis in solicitation (on behalf of his/her principal) of orders from wholesalers, retailers, contractors, hotels and restaurants for merchandise for resale or supplies for use in the business.
Example: Solicitation of orders (on a full-time basis) from retail pharmacies for X Drug Co.
The term “employee” is defined similar to the way it is defined for FICA purposes, except the definition does not include life insurance salespersons, home workers, or individuals who perform services that are included under an agreement entered into pursuant to Section 218 of the Social Security Act.
Example: A vacuum cleaner salesperson who buys merchandise on credit from a wholesale distributor, solicits sales from customer lists supplied by distributor, and conducts sales in customers’ homes is a direct seller.
What If the Employee Agrees or Asks to be an Independent Contractor? Can We Have an Agreement as to Their Status?
No. An individual can not agree to do something that is unlawful. The biggest mistake employers make is saying the employee preferred being an independent contractor, or worse yet, on salary.
Under this test, it will be determined whether the worker is an employee if the employer controls the means of production. In evaluating the means of production, the Court and Government will evaluate whether instructions are provided, the degree of instruction provided, the nature of the work, the degree of education required for the job and the particular trade or job.
Waggener v. County of Los Angeles. It was held that jurors are employees within the meaning of the Workers’ Compensation Act, and the county has the responsibility to insure against injuries that a juror may sustain while the juror is providing services to the county.
This test includes whether there is a significant investment by the worker versus the employer, whether there are un-reimbursed expenses, whether the services are available to the public, the method of payment and the opportunity to the worker for profit or loss.
The court and government will look at the agreement between the parties, the type of work being performed and the nature of the relationship.
Vizcaino v. Microsoft. Microsoft’s “permatemp” workers were common law employees written agreements acknowledging that they were independent contractors. The Court looked at the control of the work performed.
Baystate Affiliated Staffing v. Herner. The Court ignored a written independent contractor agreement and held that the workers were employees, therefore entitled to receive overtime pay as required by the FLSA, and the staffing agencies (and their business clients) were liable for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
MORAL – An Independent Contractor Agreement will not save you if you treat the worker as an employee.
The form may be filed by either the business or the worker.
The IRS will review the facts and circumstances and officially determine the worker’s status.
Be aware that it can take up to six months to get a determination.
Employer must withhold (and pay over) income tax and employee’s portion of FICA taxes and is responsible for paying unemployment taxes. Employer must also issue a W-2 to the employee.
Trust Fund Recovery Penalty/100% Penalty- Any person responsible to collect, account for and pay over tax who willfully fails to perform his responsibility is liable for a penalty equal to the total amount of tax evaded.
Penalty only applies to trust fund portion of employment taxes (i.e., employee portion).
Amount of liability is equal to the amount of delinquent trust fund taxes and not in addition to those taxes.
Penalty is not limited to a single person.
No negligence or fraud penalty is imposed.
For workers that are properly classified as independent contractors, no withholding of taxes is required, although the business must issue a Form 1099-MISC with respect to payments made to the independent contractors (in the amount of $600 or more), and report the payments to the IRS and the EDD (for California income).
For FICA taxes, liability is limited to 20% of the normal FICA tax (6.2% Social Security tax and 1.45% Medicare tax for a total of 7.65%). Liability is increased to 40% if employer does not provide 1099-MISC to employee and IRS.
IRS Forms 4669 and 4670-Employer relieved of tax liability (but not penalties) if show that employee reported the wages and paid the tax.
Employer’s Share of FICA Taxes-Employer responsible for 100% of his/her share of FICA taxes (7.65%). 6.2% Social Security tax is computed on first $102,000 of wages, for a maximum tax of $6,324. 1.45% Medicare tax is computed on employee’s total wages.
Federal Unemployment Tax-For 2008, tax is 6.2% of the first $7,000 paid to each employee. This may be reduced through credits for contributions paid into state unemployment funds.
Penalty for Failure to Deposit Income, Social Security or Medicare Tax on Time- Penalty ranges from 2% to 10% of the applicable underpayment (A delay of more than 15 days will result in a 10% penalty).
Interest on Underpayments- Interest accumulates at the federal short-term rate plus three percentage points, from the last date allowed for payment until paid.
Interest on Penalties- Interest accumulates at the federal short-term rate plus three percentage points, beginning 21 calendar days after the date of the IRS notice (10 business days if amount equals or exceeds $100,000).
Estrada v. Federal Express. In a trifurcated trial, the court found the drivers were employees within the meaning of Labor Code Section 2802 because FedEx controlled their manner of dress down to the color of their socks, the style of their hair and their day to day activities. The total damages assessed in California are believed to be approximately $11 million.
The business did not treat the worker as an employee at any time.
The business filed a 1099 form for the worker on time.
The business has not treated workers in substantially similar situations as employees.
The business has a “reasonable basis” for treating the worker as an independent contractor.

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