It’s Not Always Easy to Know the Difference.
The IRS has devised a series of tests and guidelines to help measure and compare whether your worker is an employee or independent contractor.
Common Law Employees
A basic means of determining whether a worker is an employee is to apply the standard of: Every worker who performs services subject to the will and control of the employer, both as to the methods and results of the work (what is to be done and how it is to be done), is an employee. Although a simple test, it is vague and needs an instrument of measurement for clarification.
Independent Contractors
Independent contractors are those who practice an independent profession, trade or business in which they offer their services to the general public. An individual is treated as an independent contractor if the business that pays for the services only has the right to control or direct the final result of the work and not the means of accomplishing that result.
24 Factor Test
In order to aid employers in determining whether a worker is an employee beyond the Common Law Test, the IRS has established 24 Factors to consult for further clarification. The following chart is a comparison of the 24 factors based on employee attributes contrasted against those of an independent contractor.
Employee
Independent Contractor