They call us independent contractors so they don't have to pay for worker's compensation insurance.

More than that. No requirement for withholding, less restrictions on defaulted child support, no taxable payroll, no employee insurance liabities, and a 1,000 other reasons.

Not the least of which is ICs hiding taxable income.

My experience too.

Sure do. ;)

The answer is simple. Does that person, company or entity pay me; if they do, how important to their existence or lifestyle are those $$$.

Being an IC means nothing. The only real question is, "Do I need the money
" (either as IC or employee). If you do, then all the chest pounding about how independent we are is nothing but chest pounding. If you really don't, then don't take it.

1) I will send you one of my HSMs

2) With an English learning program diskette in the same box.

Or withhold income tax.

And in an attempt to limit their liability. Employers are generally liable for the wrongful actions of their employees. They are generally not liable for the wrongful actions of their indepedent contractors. Its called Respondeat Superior liability.

This is an oversimplified statement, but it conveys the gist.

Being an Independent Contrator has nothing to do with being able to work the job anyway you want. It means you are responsible for your taxes, insurance, medical insurance, etc. Which also means that the expenses of performing your job, travel, equipment, dues, some forms of insurance, etc, are deductible from your gross pay.

Independent does not mean being able to change the job desription or " do your own thing".

Being an independent contractor has a helluva lot to do with being able to work a job the way you want. The control of the choice of methods in completing the work is one of the defining differences between an employee and an IC.

Being an IC doesn't necessarily mean your expenses are fully deductible, either. You have to operate with a profit motive.

such a great feature
for those not using, here is a taste:

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/4761/fitumpgr1.jpg

it is a great feature, but aren't you dying to see what idiocies come out next, I'm considering an unignore, because I hate not knowing. LOL Then again this feature does keep me smarter.

The problem is though that you don't know what new name PWL/StevenTyler/FitUmp56 is gonna post under next.:D

Every ignored post has a link in the upper right corner: "View this post"

Frankly, I don't use it much.

Really?

That may be true if you are cutting grass.

But try making up your own rules for baseball and see how far you get.