Under Texas law and federal law, an independent contractor is a person that performs services for another entity under some agreement, in exchange for compensation, free from the “control” of the entity paying for the services. An independent contractor is typically thought of in contrast to an employee or as self-employed. This is mostly an accurate understanding; although an independent contractor can become an employee temporarily or even permanently based upon the conditions during services performed.
What is an independent contractor under Texas employment law?
Normally an independent contractor freely contracts to provide services with another party. The independent contractor works under his or her name, uses some or all of their own equipment, etc. The independent contractor’s connection to the party employing it is limited to the terms of the service agreement.
By contrast, employees typically work under the employer’s name, conform to its workplace standards, use its equipment, the employer pays wages and payroll taxes, etc. However, there is no clear division between the two for any of these reasons. An independent contractor might use the other party’s equipment and follow a schedule set out by it; but still acts independently enough to be classified as an independent contractor.
Role and Status
Independent contractors typically bring specialized skills and expertise to the table. They offer their services to various clients or companies on a contractual basis, allowing businesses to access specific talents without committing to long-term employment. Independent contractors often work in fields such as consulting, freelance writing, graphic design, software development, and many others.
From a legal perspective, the classification of an individual as an independent contractor depends on several factors. These may include the level of control exercised by the hiring party, the presence of a written agreement, the nature of the work relationship, and the degree of financial independence maintained by the contractor.
Legal Considerations
Both independent contractors and hiring parties must be aware of the legal considerations surrounding their working relationship. Independent contractors are responsible for paying their own taxes and social security contributions. They are not eligible for benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, or paid time off that employees receive.
Hiring parties must properly classify workers to avoid legal issues related to misclassification. Incorrectly classifying employees as independent contractors can lead to penalties, lawsuits, and potential liabilities. Understanding the legal framework and seeking professional advice can help ensure compliance.
Difference between an employee and independent contractor
The significant division between an employee and an independent contractor is the degree of control the employing party may exercise. (Note: in Texas, it is not the degree of control exercised, but the degree of control that MAY be exercised.) The most common test in Texas is the common law “right to control” test. Essentially each test looks at several factors (such as those listed in the last paragraph) to determine how freely the independent contractor operates.
Micromanagement
In my head, the first thing I think about is how much the employing party controls the day to day (or minute by minute) business practices of the employee/ independent contractor, because this is really at the heart of the “control” standard.
If you are an employee of a business, or have ever been, you are probably familiar with how many issues and how detailed an employer can be in setting standards for how you act in the workplace.
On the other hand, when you are an independent contractor, the employing party should have much, much less control over those minute details.
Ability to negotiate the terms of work as an independent party
The second thing I think about is whether the employee/ independent contractor had an opportunity to consider and negotiate the controls put in place by the employing party. When you are an employee, the employer makes all those decisions; you either accept them and keep working or you quit.
You seldom have an opportunity to make decisions or negotiate over those details. However, as an independent contractor you should contemplate the terms of services and controls should be in the service agreement. (Poorly written agreements may be less clear.)
Although not the way the law contemplates the difference that is a very basic way of understanding the difference. The actual facts, once plugged into the proper legal test, may result in a different conclusion. The determination can be complicated when the employee or independent contractor falls somewhere in the middle.
Tax Implications
Tax obligations differ for employees and independent contractors. Employees have taxes withheld from their paychecks, while contractors must calculate and pay their own taxes. Independent contractors may need to pay estimated taxes quarterly and are responsible for self-employment taxes, which cover Social Security and Medicare contributions.
Why Texas employers misclassify employees as independent contractors
Employers commonly attempt to classify employees as independent contractors. Classifying employees as independent contractors presents financial and liability opportunities for them. Employers have to pay payroll taxes for employees and often have to pay overtime wages, unemployment benefits, workers compensation, benefits, hourly rates or salaries, and generally have more accounting for employees. All of that contributes expense to the employer.
For an independent contractor, the employer pays none of that.
The independent contractor receives the agreed fees and that’s it. Additionally, employers are liable when an employee harms other people or property while acting in the scope of employment.
On the other hand, an employer typically is not liable for the acts of an independent contractor. At a minimum the opportunities for an employer to be liable for the acts of an independent contractor are fewer.
This creates a strong set of incentives to misclassify employees as independent contractors. The effect on workers misclassified can include lost benefits, bonuses, overtime pay, unemployment access and workers compensation. The effect can be substantially worse when somebody is misclassified but does not treat themselves as such by making financial decisions like a self-employed person.
Schedule a consultation with Texas unpaid wages lawyers
If you believe you have been misclassified as an independent contractor by your employer, you should speak with a Texas employment attorney to help determine if your classification is appropriate and if it is not, what remedies may be available. Employment lawyers often handle claims of unpaid wages and unpaid overtime pay on the basis of misclassification.
Misclassification of employees as independent contractors is a common scheme to avoid paying due wages and overtime pay. Even if the misclassification was not intended to evade wage and overtime laws, a misclassified employee is still entitled to wages and overtime owed by law.