Construction Workers on Site in front of equipment

Construction Companies: How to Avoid IRS Problems from Using Independent Contractors

6.6.19

Chances are, your construction company hires subcontractors, rather than employees, to perform some of the work. These arrangements obviously save your company a lot of time, money and headaches. Take a look at some of the recordkeeping and financial differences:

With an Employee With an Independent Contractor
You must pay the employer’s half of FICA, as well as federal unemployment tax (FUTA). You generally don’t have to withhold taxes from the worker’s pay, you don’t owe the employer’s portion of FICA and FUTA, and you don’t have to pay workers’ compensation.
You are required to withhold federal income tax and the employee’s half of Social Security and Medicare (FICA). It is easier to engage workers for specific, short-term assignments so tailor work crews to fit your slow and busy seasons.
You must issue a W-2 form to the employee and send copies to the IRS. You must issue the worker a Form 1099-MISC and file copies with the IRS if you pay the person $600 or more during the year.
Depending on your company’s policies and state and federal laws, you must generally provide fringe benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, sick days and paid vacations. You aren’t required to provide fringe benefits. Subcontractors are responsible for keeping their own records, paying their own income and self-employment taxes, and providing their own health insurance.
You are generally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, and other insurances You can reduce exposure to some types of legal actions, such as wrongful termination lawsuits.

When you compare the two types of workers, hiring subcontractors is better for your company. But make sure your independent contractors really qualify for this status under law. Your company can pay a heavy price if you treat an employee as an independent contractor without having a “reasonable basis” for doing so. The IRS, DOL, and other federal and state agencies routinely “reclassifies” contractors as employees and the costs can be devastating for business owners. You can be required to pay a bundle in unpaid payroll taxes, benefits, interest and penalties.

Caution: There have been several highly publicized lawsuits filed against companies by independent contractors who claimed they were really employees. Disgruntled workers contact the IRS or DOL to complain that they are misclassified. This can open the floodgates to major problems for your company.

So how can you protect your money-saving use of subcontractors? The issue is complicated so consult with your CPA or contact us with questions, but here’s a rule of thumb: Workers are considered contractors if you have little control over the way they get the job done. The more you direct a worker, the more likely the IRS would classify him or her as an employee.

Unfortunately, no single factor determines a worker’s legal status. The IRS looks at a number of issues, such as:

  • Providing tools: An employer usually gives tools, equipment and workspace to employees. In contrast, subcontractors often provide and invest their own money in equipment, tools and facilities.
  • Offering services to the public: Subcontractors make their services available to the general public and are free to work for two or more businesses.
  • Setting hours: Employees often have set work schedules, while contractors are allowed some flexibility. (However, the IRS recognizes that some work, by its very nature, must be done at specific times.)
  • Hiring assistants: Employees don’t hire and pay anyone to help them do their jobs. But contractors often hire, supervise, and pay their own assistants.
  • Getting paid: Employees are generally paid hourly or weekly, while contractors are paid by the job. It’s a good idea to require contractors to submit invoices since they provide proof of non-employee status.

To protect your company, it’s crucial to have written contracts with outside workers that clarify details of the relationship. Once you draft contracts that treat workers as independent contractors, live up to them. Resist the urge to supervise subcontractors the way you oversee employees.

Make sure to maintain good records. Obviously, you need to keep the worker’s taxpayer ID number and other information required by the IRS, but also keep items that help prove the person is self-employed. For example, business cards, a letterhead, invoices and advertisements placed online or in newspapers.

Your use of independent contractors should always be examined on a case by case basis and if they are to be treated as a subcontractor, there should be a legal document that outlines their duties and responsibilities.  This document should be drafted or reviewed by an attorney who is familiar with construction law and signed by both parties.

The cost of misrepresenting employees as independent contractors can be staggering and can close a profitable company – Be sure that your company is not ruined by a misclassification.