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The IRS considers all workers to be employees and only exceptions may be paid as an Independent Contractor

Employer-Employee Relationship

An employer-employee relationship exists when the payer (Stony Brook University) has the right to control and direct the individual worker not only as to the results of the work to be accomplished, but also as to the means and methods used to accomplish the work.

Form Description More About the Form
Form 8233  Exemption From Withholding on Compensation for Independent (and Certain Dependent) Personal Services of a Nonresident Alien Individual About Form 8233
Prior Year Forms Prior Year Forms, Instructions & Publications Search Popular Prior Year Forms, Instructions & Publications
Form W-7 Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) About Form W-7
Form W-8 BEN Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting (Individuals) About Form W-8BEN
Form W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification About Form W-9
AC 3237-S Substitute Form W-9 (AC 3237-S)  
HRSF0050 Cert of Academic Activity B1, B2, Wb, WT Visa-SBF.RF.STATE  
HRSF0053 Cert of Academic Activity ABROAD - B1, B2, Wb, WT visa  
HRSD0109 Independent Contractor Tax Treaty  

Only Reimbursing Travel Expenses?

This information is to be used when paying a fee for service.
If only reimbursing travel expenses, use the Travel Voucher & Instructions on Procurement's website.

Travel Voucher & Instructions

Independent Contractors are...

Independent Contractors are generally individuals who follow an independent trade, business or profession in which they offer their services to the public and complete such services free of control or direction from the payer as to the means and methods used to complete the task. Under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) general rules, an individual is an Independent Contractor (IC) if you, the payer, have the right to control the results of the work, not the means and methods. 

 

Independent Contractors are NOT...

An individual who is already a Stony Brook University (State or Research Foundation) or a New York State employee may not be paid as an Independent Contractor. Employees who perform a task that is different from their regular duties, and after normal work hours, are eligible for overtime pay or Extra Service/Dual Employmentpay. An individual who is providing training or instructional service may be considered an employee.

 

 

Independent Contractor Tool 

Classifying a Worker

20 Factors of the Common Law Test

The IRS uses the 20 Factors of the Common Law Test to determine whether an individual is an employee or an IC. These 20 factors or 20 questions assist in determining if a relationship or evidence of control/right to control (behavioral and financial) exists between the payer and worker. Under IRS rules, anyone who performs services for you is your employee if you can control what will be done and how it will be done, even if freedom of action is granted to the individual worker.

 

Responsibilities of the...

Contracting Department

It is the responsibility of the contracting department to ensure compliance with IRS guidelines with respect to classifying a worker. When issuing payment to an  Independent Contractor, the University must provide the individual with form 1099-MISC (Miscellaneous Income), when payment exceeds $600 for the year.

Independent Contractor

Independent contractors are responsible for reporting all income earned and paying applicable federal, state, city, and self-employment taxes.

It is illegal to knowingly classify an employee as an Independent Contractor

A worker may always be classified as an employee even if the worker meets the criteria of an Independent Contractor. However, it is illegal to knowingly classify an employee as an Independent Contractor in order to avoid Affirmative Action recruitment efforts and/or payment of employment taxes, fringe benefits, etc... The IRS imposes fines and penalties for misclassification of service. Liability may include payment for:

-Employer's share of Social Security and Medicare taxes.
-Employee's share of Social Security and Medicare taxes.
-Unemployment taxes.
-Interest on money found to be owed.
-Civil fines.
-If found to be a criminal matter, possible imprisonment.

                                 ADDITIONAL IRS.GOV RESOURCES...

The IRS considers a worker to be an Independent Contractor if the person:

  • Determines place and sequence of work.
  • Is not trained (by the University) for the job.
  • Possesses special skills or training.
  • Provides a service not related to payer's normal business activities.
  • Has the option to delegate work to others (not University employees).
  • Employs own assistants.
  • Works by the job.
  • Sets own work hours.
  • Generally works off-site.
  • Can set own schedule (work flow).
  • Files reports when job ends; interim reports possible (does not submit regular reports).
  • Pays own business and travel expenses; part of job costs.
  • Furnishes own tools and equipment.
  • Has significant investment in facilities used.
  • Can make a profit or suffer a loss if the project is not completed.
  • Works for several companies at one time.
  • Makes services available to the general public.
  • Can not be fired if results satisfy the contract.
  • Must complete job according to contract specifications.

The IRS considers a worker to be an employee if the person:

  • Maintains a continuing relationship with the employer.
  • Does the work personally (does not delegate work to non-employees).
  • Is required to comply with instructions.
  • Usually works Full-time for one employer.
  • Is subject to dismissal.
  • Can quit without incurring a liability.
  • Is reimbursed for expenses.
  • Is trained by the employer (or supervised).
  • Provides services that are a key aspect of regular business (University) activities.

Only Looking to Reimburse Travel Expenses?

This information is to be used when paying a fee for service. If only reimbursing travel expenses, use the Travel Voucher & Instructions on the Procurement website.

Travel Voucher & Instructions

          Can you hire a former state employee?

 

Former State Agency Hiring Agency 2 years since they left former agency? Answer
Stony Brook Stony Brook It's been less than 2 years since they left their former agency. Former State employees are prohibited from appearing before their former agency for two years from their termination date, or the last date on the payroll.
Stony Brook  Stony Brook  It's been greater than 2 years since they left their former agency. Must meet the IRS' Guidelines for an Independent Contractor. Participants in the Stony Brook Voluntary Separation Program may have limitations and should reach out to hrs_benefits@stonybrook.edu.
Not Stony Brook Stony Brook  It's been less than 2 years since they left their former agency. Must meet the IRS' Guidelines for an Independent Contractor. Participants in the Stony Brook Voluntary Separation Program may have limitations and should reach out to hrs_benefits@stonybrook.edu.
Stony Brook  Research Foundation It's been less than 2 years since they left their former agency. There's no law, rule or regulation that prohibits a former SUNY employee from joining the Research Foundation as an employee or working for them as an Independent Contractor provided the IRS' Guidelines for an Independent Contractor are met. This would include Graduate/Teaching Assistants who worked as State employees. Participants in the Stony Brook Voluntary Separation Program may have limitations and should reach out to hrs_benefits@stonybrook.edu.
CurrentSUNY employee (Not Stony Brook) Stony Brook Currently Employed CurrentSUNY employees cannot be hired as an Independent Contractor by another SUNY agency. However, they may be able to be paid through the Extra Serviceprocess.

MORE QUESTIONS? Email hrs_independent_contractors@stonybrook.edu

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions