Orlando, FL asked in Employment Law for Florida

Q: If I work in an office with set time and days am I contracter 1099?

I got hired and my employer does 1099 instead of w-2. I heard this is illegal and wanted to check.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: In Florida, whether you are classified as an independent contractor (1099) or an employee (W-2) depends on various factors related to the nature of your work and your relationship with the employer. The primary distinction lies in the degree of control your employer has over your work. If your employer sets your work hours, days, and closely supervises how you perform your tasks, this is more characteristic of an employee relationship.

However, simply having set hours and days doesn't automatically make you an employee. The IRS uses a set of guidelines to determine employment status, focusing on behavioral control, financial control, and the type of relationship. For example, if your employer controls what work is done and how it's done, you might be considered an employee.

If you believe you are incorrectly classified as an independent contractor, you can file Form SS-8 with the IRS. The IRS will review the circumstances and make a determination. Misclassification can lead to legal issues for employers, as it affects tax withholdings and benefits.

Given the complexities of employment classification, it might be wise to seek advice from a lawyer or a tax professional who can assess your specific situation. They can provide guidance on the appropriate steps to take if you believe your employment status is misclassified.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.