Q&A

How is an employee classified as a W-2 contractor?

How is an employee classified as a W-2 contractor?

W-2 contractor. In the work environment, a person can be classified as an employee or a contractor. An employee is a person who is supervised within a business and is subject to its work rules; the employer deducts taxes from the employee’s pay, matches them in some cases, and remits these taxes to the government.

Can a 1099 contractor work as a W2 employee?

Ultimately, whether or not you agree to work as a 1099 contractor or a W2 employee depends on your personal skills. A 1099 contractor will often have a more complex skill set than other typical employees and are used more infrequently.

When to treat an employee as an independent contractor?

While waiting for a determination from the IRS, you should still treat the worker as an employee, withholding all necessary taxes. Misclassification of employees as independent contractors is a serious issue. It’s always a good idea to consult with employment counsel to ensure compliance with applicable laws.

Can a temporary work agency issue a W-2?

However, if a person were employed by a temporary work agency, the agency would be in the role of employer, and so would deduct taxes and issue a Form W-2 to the person. Meanwhile, the person would be working for the business that is paying the temporary work agency for his or her services.

W-2 contractor. In the work environment, a person can be classified as an employee or a contractor. An employee is a person who is supervised within a business and is subject to its work rules; the employer deducts taxes from the employee’s pay, matches them in some cases, and remits these taxes to the government.

What are the consequences of treating an employee as an independent contractor?

Consequences of Treating an Employee as an Independent Contractor If you classify an employee as an independent contractor and you have no reasonable basis for doing so, you may be held liable for employment taxes for that worker (the relief provisions, discussed below, will not apply). See Internal Revenue Code section 3509 for more information.

Who is paid under a W2 and W9?

As a general rule, a person paid under a W2 is an employee; a person paid under a 1099 is an independent contractor. As in all things legal, it depends on the details. The easiest answer is that a 1099 worker must pay the self employment tax to the Federal government out of his gross wage.

What happens if you misclassify an employee as an independent contractor?

Under the Law. The rules surrounding whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor are complex. But it’s important to get it right, because when you misclassify an employee as an independent contractor, you open the door to significant legal and financial troubles.