Employee vs. Contractor Classification Quiz

What is a key difference between W-2 employees and independent contractors regarding tax obligations?

What percentage of employers were found to have misclassified workers according to the 2000 study?

Which of the following is an obligation imposed on W-2 employees that independent contractors do not face?

What action did the Department of Labor take in 2011 regarding employee misclassification?

What is a common misconception about independent contractors compared to W-2 employees?

Employee vs. Independent Contractor

W-2 employees incur higher costs for employers due to mandatory benefits and vacation time.
Employers are responsible for a portion of employee tax obligations for W-2 employees.
Independent contractors do not pose the same financial burden; they typically do not receive benefits or paid vacation.

Misclassification Issues

Employee classification is governed by federal laws concerning control, scheduling, and assignments.
Misclassification can lead to financial gain for employers but is illegal.
A study from 2000 found that 10% to 30% of employers misclassified workers.
About 95% of workers who believed they were misclassified were indeed miscategorized.

Government Enforcement

The U.S. government is actively addressing misclassification issues.
In 2011, the Department of Labor recovered over $5 million in back wages for 7,800 misclassified employees.

Tax Withholding Differences

W-2 employees have taxes such as income tax, Social Security, FICA, and FUTA withheld from their paychecks.
Independent contractors are responsible for their own tax obligations and do not have the same withholdings.
Tax withholdings for W-2 employees can exceed 20% of their paycheck, varying by state.

Test your knowledge on the differences between W-2 employees and independent contractors. This quiz covers federal laws, employee benefits, and tax obligations to help clarify these classifications. Understand the implications of each status for both employees and employers.