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Instructions. Workers who must comply with
your instructions as to when, where, and how
they work are more likely to be employees than
independent contractors.
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Training. The more training your workers
receive from you, the more likely it is that
they're employees. The underlying concept
here is that independent contractors are
supposed to know how to do their work and, thus,
shouldn't require training from the purchasers
of their services.
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Integration. The more important that your
workers' services are to your business's success
or continuation, the more likely it is that
they're employees.
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Services rendered personally. Workers who
must personally perform the services for which
you're paying are more likely employees.
In contrast, independent contractors usually
have the right to substitute other people's
services for their own in fulfilling their
contracts.
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Hiring assistants. Workers who are not in
charge of hiring, supervising, and paying their
own assistants are more likely employees.
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Continuing relationship. Workers who
perform work for you for significant periods of
time or at recurring intervals are more likely
employees.
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Set hours of work. Workers for whom you
establish set hours of work are more likely
employees. In contrast, independent
contractors generally can set their own work
hours.
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Full time required. Workers whom you
require to work or be available full time are
likely to be employees. In contrast,
independent contractors generally can work
whenever and for whomever they choose.
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Work done on premises. Workers who work at
your premises or at a place you designate are
more likely employees. In contrast,
independent contractors usually have their own
place of business where they can do their work
for you.
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Order or sequence set. Workers for whom
you set the order or sequence in which they
perform their services are more likely
employees.
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Reports. Workers whom you require to
submit regular reports are more likely
employees.
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Payment method. Workers whom you pay by
the hour, week, or month are more likely
employees. In contrast, independent
contractors are usually paid by the job.
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Expenses. Workers whose business and
travel expenses you pay are more likely
employees. In contrast, independent
contractors are usually expected to cover their
own overhead expenses.
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Tools and materials. Workers whose tools,
materials, and other equipment you furnish are
more likely employees.
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Investment. The greater your worker's
investment in the facilities and equipment they
use in performing their services, the more
likely it is that they're independent
contractors.
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Profit or loss. The greater the risk that
your workers can either make a profit or suffer
a loss in rendering their services, the more
likely it is that they're independent
contractors.
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Works for more than one person at a time.
The more businesses for which your workers
perform services at the same time, the more
likely it is that they're independent
contractors.
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Services available to general public.
Workers who hold their services out to the
general public (for example, through business
cards, advertisements, and other promotional
items) are more likely independent contractors.
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Right to fire. Workers whom you can fire
at any time are more likely employees. In
contrast, your right to terminate an independent
contractor is generally limited by specific
contractual terms.
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Right to quit. Workers who can quit at any
time without incurring any liability to you are
more likely employees. In contrast,
independent contractors generally can't walk
away in the middle of a project without running
the risk of being held financially accountable
for their failure to complete the project.