[SOLVED] hairdresser employee or subcontractor?

Should a hair dresser be paid as a subcontractor or an employee? They will be paid hourly and receive comissions on cuts. They provide all their own supplies, and work their own hours, and obviously cut as they see fit. After reading publication 15-A I'm still not sure. It seems possible both ways. Obviously I'd prefer the subcontract. Advice please?

Reply to
SMF
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The IRS has a Market Segment Specialization Paper for Beauty and Barber Shops which has a section devoted to employee versus contractor. It is a rather substantial section and does NOT unequivocally spell out an answer, it certainly leads the auditor towards the employee classification. Here are a few brief excerpts:

Common Law Factors

The question of whether an individual is an independent contractor or an employee is one fact to be determined upon consideration of the facts and application of the law and regulations in a particular case. See Professional & Executive Leasing v. Commissioner, 89 T.C. 225,232 (197), aff'd 862 F.2d 751 (9th Cir. 1988); Simpson v. Commissioner, 64 T.C. 974, 984 (1975). Guides for determining the existence of that status are found in three substantially similar sections of the Employment Tax Regulations; namely, sections 31.3121(d)-1,

31.3306(i)-1, and 31.3401(c)-1, relating to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA), and federal income tax withholding, respectively.

In general, it should be noted that section 3121(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code requires the application of the common law rules in determining the employer-employee relationship. In determining whether an individual is an employee under the common law rules, 20 factors have been identified as indicating whether sufficient control is present to establish an employer-employee relationship. The 20 factors have been developed based on an examination of cases and rulings considering whether an individual is an employee. The degree of importance of each factor varies depending on the occupation and the factual context in which services are performed. See Rev. Rul.

87-41, 1987-1 C.B. 296; IRM Exhibit 4640-1, Employer-Employee Relationship. The 20 factors are not to be applied blindly. Rather, they are to be used as an aid in applying the common law.

Although a variety of factors may be used to analyze employment status for tax purposes, the regulations provide that employer control over the manner in which the work is performed is probably the most important. The test is not the actual control by the employer but the employer's right to control.

State Regulatory Authority

While the Service is not bound by State laws or determinations on this issue, State laws and regulations may be helpful to the examiner in analyzing the facts. The salon industry is regulated by each State Board of Cosmetology. Most states have a set of regulations.

For example, New Jersey regulations do not allow the holder of a shop license to rent space (a booth or chair) to a nonemployee (an independent Contractor). In Oregon, rentals are allowed if the renter is an independent Contractor. In Florida, while salons and barber shops must obtain a license from the Board of Professional Regulation, a booth renter is not required to be licensed by the Board. However, Florida's legislation had a bill pending, at the writing of this guide, that would require booth renters to be licensed with the Board of Professional Regulation. The bill in Florida is a trend started in the salon industry to regulate their booth renters. Check with the state regulatory board to help facilitate in determining the independent contractor and employee issue.

Revenue Rulings and Court Cases

Review the following revenue rulings and court cases that address the employee vs. independent contractor issue:

Revenue Ruling 57-110, 1957-1 C.B. 329

Facts: Fixed weekly fee; owner furnished heat, light, water and supplies; barber provides own tools; barber sets own hours of work; and barber collects his own money and does not account to the salon owner for revenue earned. Determination: Independent contractor

Revenue Ruling 70-488, 1970-2 C.B. 219

Facts: Barber is paid a percentage of the money from services performed; salon sets hours of work; required to wear a uniform. Determination: Employee

Revenue Ruling 73-591, 1973-2 C.B. 337

Facts: Salon agrees to furnish, repair, and maintain all equipment; hair stylist is paid on a percentage of gross receipts; no credit work or free work can be done without the approval of the salon owner; working hours are set; hair stylist furnishes a report each day to the owner reflecting the day's receipts. Determination: Employee

Revenue Ruling 73-592, 1973-2 C.B. 338

Facts: Rents for a fixed monthly fee; the salon furnishes heat, light, water, and supplies; hair stylist retains the money collected; hair stylist sets own hours of work. Determination: Independent Contractor

Wolfe v. United States, 77-1 U.S.T.C. para. 9346 (D. N.D. 1977)

Facts: Hair stylists are paid on a percentage of gross receipts; hair stylists handle own clients; hair stylists provide own supplies; appointments are made through one receptionist; hair stylists set their own hours and have their own keys to the shop; money from services is paid to the salon; hair stylist decides what prices to charge; hair stylists are responsible for bounced checks; and hair stylists are not required to work on salon's customers. Decision: Employee

A Henry, d,b,a, Center Beauty Shop, 78-1 U.S.T.C. para. 9433 (E.D. Tenn 1978)

Facts: Rent is based on a percentage of gross receipts; no receptionist; anyone in the salon will answer the phone; salon furnishes the supplies; hair stylists collect own money; hair stylists set own hours of work; prices were set by an agreement among the hair stylist; and minimum rent payment is $50. Determination: Independent Contractor

The following is Tax Management's summary of the issue based on revenue rulings and court cases.

"* * * the one factor which appears to hold overriding persuasive value in the case of hair stylists is the nature of the remuneration under the agreement between the hair stylist and the shop owner * * * the factors tending to show an employee relationship seemed to predominate over independent contractor type factors in those situations where the remuneration is based on a percentage of earnings, whereas the opposite is true in those situations where the hair stylists rents the chair for a fixed monthly fee."

Hope this helps, Gene E. Utterback, EA, RFC, ABA

Reply to
eagent

Since you have gone through the checklist in Pub 15A, you see that quite a few lean towards being a contractor. Especially the Supplies own Tools, and Sets own work hours.

If the person also holds and pays for workers comp insurance, and I would hope this is the case, and perhaps even liability insurance, that would clearly swing my view towards contractor.

Reply to
Arthur Kamlet

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Milt Baker CPA

Reply to
cpabakem01

Ah, but the determining factor here IS: that the workers is paid hourly PLUS commissions. Doesn't matter that they 'set their own hours' , which simply means that they show up when they have appointments.

Unless there is a formal booth rental agreement, they are common law employees.

IRS has guidance on it.

ChEAr$, Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

Reply to
Harlan Lunsford

has little to do with how they are paid or how pay is calculated. The issue is who controls the work and work flow. If someone is paid hourly it is one indicia of an employee, but a minor one.

That's not what the courts would say.

Can you find that? I'd like to see it. Here's Publication 15:

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Stu

Reply to
Stuart Bronstein

I just looked at IRS web site and can't find the specialty position paper on the subject. Thought it was an MSSP, but not currently among those. perhaps I can find something at office if you send me email to "lunstax" at my ISP and remind me.

ChEAr$, Harlan

Reply to
Harlan Lunsford

Thanks. That won't be necessary at the moment. I'll just keep it in mind and check it out if the issue ever comes up.

Stu

Reply to
Stuart Bronstein

,

I've seen this occupation go both ways. The exact facts and circumstances are needed.

Reply to
D. Stussy

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