http://www.collabrus.com/collabrus_blog Independent contractor (1099) compliance, professional payrolling, contingent workforce managed services Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:45:40 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Law firms and local newspapers around the country are beginning to report that the IRS' promised 6000 employment tax audits to determine the extent of non compliance and misclassifications of workers is hurting businesses just as they are struggling to save money and stay in business in this tough economy. For ... http://www.collabrus.com/collabrus_blog/2010/09/09/the-irs-6000-audit-pilot-study-is-being-felt-by-businesses-across-the-nation/ Over the weekend I read an interesting article about a fledgling industry referred to as "e-labor."  The article predicts this new way of engaging freelance workers is growing and "...its success will mirror that of e-commerce..." Source:  The Economist print edition, May 13, 2010. http://www.economist.com/business-finance/displaystory.cfm?story_id=16116919 What is E Labor (e-labour)? It is a form ... http://www.collabrus.com/collabrus_blog/2010/09/07/beware-of-the-magic-ic-bullet-known-as-%e2%80%9ce-labor%e2%80%9d/ WASHINGTON-The IRS recently issued a statement notifying taxpayers and tax professionals that it has changed the format and requirements for the Employer Identification Number (EIN) Application. The statement said, "Some applicants for Employer Identification Numbers ("EINs") have listed nominee individuals, rather than the true responsible party, during the application process. The ... http://www.collabrus.com/collabrus_blog/2010/09/04/irs-clamping-down-on-requirements-for-employer-identification-number-ein-information/ Do you believe the economy is starting to recover? Are you gearing up for future growth and considering independent contractors and contingent workers because they give you flexibility? But are you really ready? Just as you are thinking of increasing the use of IC's and contingent workers the government is gearing up ... http://www.collabrus.com/collabrus_blog/2010/09/02/what-impact-will-the-economic-recovery-have-on-your-contingent-workforce/ Already one of the toughest states on regulating IC Compliance, the State of New York's Assembly created a new, tougher IC compliance bill (A11649) on July 8, 2010. The proposed law would: Significantly increase the penalties for "knowing and intentional" independent contractor misclassification. Establish a private right of action for an individual ... http://www.collabrus.com/collabrus_blog/2010/08/31/the-perfect-compliance-storm-is-growing/ According to an article in Telegram.com, based in Worcester, Massachusetts, the state attorney general's office announced FedEx Ground agreed to pay Massachusetts $3 million to settle claims the company misclassified its drivers as independent contractors. The article reports that, "The attorney general said the company had gained an unfair competitive advantage ... http://www.collabrus.com/collabrus_blog/2010/08/26/fedex-to-pay-massachusetts-3-million-in-misclassification-case-settlement-but-there%e2%80%99s-more%e2%80%a6/ Want a new job? The IRS is hiring and advertising job opportunities on YouTube! WASHINGTON DC-The Internal Revenue Service announced this week it is using YouTube to market IRS job openings for revenue agents, revenue officers, criminal investigation special agents, financial analysts and economists about employment opportunities at the IRS. IRS Commissioner ... http://www.collabrus.com/collabrus_blog/2010/08/24/the-irs-is-hiring-employers-beware/ Last time I critiqued a website article published by a contingent work force vender company. This is part 2 of that series. The website article cited a University of Arizona study but failed to provide full information about the study and then gave bad advice if you employ highly skilled professionals. ... http://www.collabrus.com/collabrus_blog/2010/08/19/bad-advice-for-employers-who-utilize-independent-contractors-%e2%80%93-continued/ I recently read an article on a website that gave bad advice for those who employ highly skilled professionals-especially independent contractors. The flawed article was based on a University of Arizona study. I won't cite the author, or organization, publishing the web article; however, we tracked down the original University of ... http://www.collabrus.com/collabrus_blog/2010/08/17/bad-advice-for-companies-that-utilize-independent-contractors/ One more domestic story from my stay-at-home week: the neighbor's kid takes a freelance job. I was recently home for a week watching television, sleeping and fighting off a bug. I was feeling better later in the week and took a walk around the neighborhood. As I passed my neighbor's house, ... http://www.collabrus.com/collabrus_blog/2010/08/12/classic-misclassified-worker-scenario/