06/20/2026
📘 Education: Contractor vs. Employee Classification Basics
Are your workers properly classified as employees or independent contractors? Misclassification can lead to costly tax penalties, wage disputes, and compliance issues.
Here are a few basic differences:
✔️ Employees
• Employer controls how, when, and where work is performed
• Taxes are withheld from wages
• May be eligible for benefits and labor law protections
✔️ Independent Contractors
• Maintain control over how they perform their work
• Typically invoice for services and handle their own taxes
• Generally work under a contract for specific projects or services
The IRS and Department of Labor consider multiple factors when determining worker classification—it's not simply a matter of issuing a 1099 instead of a W-2.
If you're unsure whether your workers are classified correctly, it's a good idea to review your situation before it becomes a compliance issue.