One of the great advantages of ICs is the lack of oversight, training, and physical space they require. However, you have little control over how they actually do the work you hired them to do. By giving them complete freedom, you are accepting some frustration. Giving workers freedom can be difficult for some business owners that prefer that the work be done using specific processes and/or tools. It is vital that you don’t interfere too much with IC’s work since doing so can result in the IRS re-classifying them as employees, which can result in penalties and expenses.

With the increased rise of the “gig economy,” which relies primarily on independent contractors instead of W2 employees, there has been an equally steady climb in the number of independent Contractor (IC) misclassification cases filed against businesses. Most misclassifications are not the result of intentional violations of federal and state law, but rather, unintentional mistakes made by business owners, maybe including you, who aren’t aware of the legal landscape.