Is that Worker an Employee? Questions and Answers on Worker Classification (Video) (Course Id 2728)

• Who is this course for?
  This course is designed for CPAs, accountants, and other professionals needing Continuing Professional Education (CPE), particularly those who own or manage businesses that engage independent contractors.

• What is this course about or what problem does this course solve?
  The course addresses the critical issue of worker classification, helping professionals determine when a worker should be treated as an independent contractor versus an employee.

• How can the knowledge from this course be used?
  Participants can use the knowledge to accurately classify workers, avoid legal pitfalls, and respond effectively to state or federal inquiries about worker status.

• Why is this course important to a CPA or Accountant?
  Misclassifying workers can result in serious tax and legal consequences; this course equips CPAs and accountants with the guidance needed to ensure compliance with employment and tax regulations.

• When is this course relevant or timely?
  This course is especially timely in light of increased scrutiny from state and federal agencies regarding worker classification and efforts to enforce tax and labor laws.

• How is a course like this consumed or used?
  The course is delivered as a QAS Self Study video, requiring no prerequisites or additional materials, and includes review questions and a final exam to earn CPE credit.

If you own or manage a business that uses independent contractors, you need to know when you can or cannot treat a worker as an independent contractor. This presentation answers some of the common questions about worker classification. Misclassification of employees as independent contractors is now a common phrase uttered by state and federal legislators and regulators. State task forces have been formed to crack down on businesses that do not pay unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation premiums or withhold taxes for workers whom the state believes are employees and not independent contractors.

Video - NASBA QAS - NASBA Registry - IRS Enrolled Agents - 2728

Course Learning Objectives

1. Why does it matter how a company classifies its workers?
2. What are the consequences of worker misclassification?
3. In what ways are state and federal regulatory agencies focusing on independent contractor misclassification?
4. If I misclassify my workers as independent contractors rather than employees, how will the government find out?
5. Does the fact that most, if not every company, in a given industry treats its sales force as independent contractors immunize XYZ Corporation from a successful challenge mounted by the IRS?
6. Is there a simple test for whether a worker is an independent contractor or employee?
7. My workers all sign a contract and agree they are independent contractors. Won’t that help?
8. To be safe, should I just treat all workers as employees even if they are independent contractors?
9. I’ve heard that Section 530 will protect my business as long as it follows an industry standard. Is that true?
10. What factors militate in favor of a worker being classified as an independent contractor?
11. I received a letter from the State Department of Labor or from the IRS that appears to question my worker classification. What should I do or not do?
12. Recommendations to Minimize or Avoid Future Misclassification Exposure for Companies That Use Independent Contractors to Supplement Their Workforce

Chapter 1 - Is that Worker an Employee? Questions and Answers on Worker Classification

Chapter 1 Review Questions