Employers are often tempted to declare some or all of their employees as independent contractors or 1099 employees, thereby exempting them from workers` compensation requirements. However, hiring a worker as an independent contractor can end up costing you dearly. You risk significant tax penalties, other penalties, and a significant gap in insurance coverage if your “independent contractors” are later determined to meet the definition of an employee. A workers` compensation claim usually takes about two to four months. However, keep in mind that each worker`s comp case is unique and a call may take a little less time or a little more. Following a workers` compensation process, claimants typically begin the appeal process by requesting a new review from their state`s Workers` Compensation Appeals Board. . While workers` compensation laws vary from state to state, there are a number of basic principles that are consistent in workers` compensation systems nationwide. One of these basic principles is that workers are entitled to workers` compensation, which is not the case for independent contractors. But what does it mean not to be entitled to compensation for workers? And in addition to the employee versus .dem independent contractor, how do you know if you are eligible to apply for benefits? Workers` compensation is a form of insurance that provides wage replacement and medical benefits to workers who have been injured in the course of their employment. A 2007 report from Cornell University estimated that 704,000 private sector workers were wrongly classified as independent contractors and that at least 39,500 employers misstamped workers each year.

Conservative estimates suggest that between 500,000 and 1 million New York City workers who should be covered by workers` compensation are not. To put this in perspective, about 10.3% of private sector workers are wrongly classified as independent contractors (about 14.8% in construction). By learning how to identify 1099 contractors in relation to your workers` compensation insurance, you can avoid the risk of not having insurance employed for each person who should be insured. This will keep your workplace safe and help you avoid the costly fines that will be imposed when an employee compensation violation is filed against your company. A company that has inadvertently misclassified its employees as 1,099 independent contractors can participate in the IRS`s voluntary reclassification program. Employers continue to be subject to selection for wages, interest and subsequent penalties; However, the amounts due for fines, penalties and interest can be significantly reduced. The IRS allows business owners to enter into a remittance plan and eliminate the risk of the IRS taking criminal action against you as part of the negotiation process. You will have a hairdresser who works in your hair salon.

This worker is assigned a specific chair and assigned a work surface. The Workers` Compensation Board will consider them EMPLOYEES and you will be responsible for compensating their employees. Subcontractors may ask the general contractor to deduct money for workers` compensation coverage, but only if this is provided for in their contract or otherwise expressly provided. General contractors are legitimately concerned about whether subcontractors have workers` compensation insurance, as they may be held liable for claims against them by a subcontractor or their employees. Therefore, subcontractors may conclude that the general contractor requires them to provide proof of workers` compensation coverage or that the subcontractor agrees to enroll in the general contractor`s workers` compensation policy with the costs passed on to them. Since independent contractors are not direct employees of your business, you may feel comfortable ignoring them when it comes to your workers` compensation insurance. This is not the best course of action, and you can expect a hefty fine if you accidentally let someone withdraw from the policy that should be covered. The general rule is that employers are not required to purchase workers` compensation insurance for employees eligible as independent contractors 1099. However, this rule has a big exception. You can get an insurance premium from your insurance company for a new employee or for a 1099 independent contractor who does not have a workers` compensation insurance certificate, or 1099 coverage expires during the policy. When carriers assess a premium and it is paid, it gives the new employee or contractor 1099 compensation coverage for the remainder of the insurance term. The policy should be renewed from year to year if necessary.

Again, we use Washington State as an example to determine who is an employee. In principle, anyone who receives something of value for hours worked is considered an employee within the meaning of the Workers` Compensation Insurance Act, which is why the criterion for determining 1099 contractors is so strident. .