Oh no. Also check to see if your tax deductions (fed, state, social security) were
Posted By: paid. Hope so (and shame on QT!!!) nm on 2008-02-22
In Reply to: Did anyone else when they closed have problems with their insurance not being paid - Fomer QTer
nm
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Medware employees, please check your Social Security statement
I worked for MW in 2005 and just got my annual Social Security statement. It has a big fat zero for my 2005 earnings. They also withheld 10% of my salary (at my request) for 401(k) account, but that account also had a zero balance. I reported that to Dept. of Labor and have now notified SS. Please be aware and check, take care of yourselves because they sure will not do it for you.
What do all you IC's do about Social Security? (sm)
I see all these good-paying jobs for Independent Contractors, but wondered what do you do about paying your social security??
How do you NOT have to pay Social Security??
x
Self-employment tax IS Social Security...
As an IC you pay it all, rather than when working as an employee and paying half with the employer paying the other half.
Social Security & Medicare
Here's the scoop: As an IC, you are responsible for all 15.3% of your combined social security (12.4%) and medicare taxes (2.9%).
As a statutory MT or a full employee, the MTSO will pay half, or 7.65%, of your social security and medicare taxes. It is only as an IC or statutory that you are able to fully deduct your home office-related expenses on your tax return. I think an employee can only take SOME of the home-office write-offs, but I am not sure which ones.
Also of note is that only the first $92,000 of your income is subject to the SS and MC taxes (not that many of us make this much, but it's good to know!) However, you are only required to report your income if you made over $400 that year.
When you file your federal taxes at the end of the year, you will have to pay a self-employment tax which is what takes care of your SS and MC taxes.
If you expect to OWE more than $1000 in self-employment taxes at the end of the year, then you will actually need to make quarterly estimated tax payments or risk paying a penalty fee when you file annually. To compute that, I believe that you would owe more than $1000 in self-employment taxes if your taxable income is more than $6500 per year (which hopefully includes nearly all of us!).
If you can find a company who will treat you as an IC (not binding you to specific schedules, etc) yet will hire you to a statutory position, then this, in my opinion, is the way to go.
For instance, I currently work for two companies, one as an IC and one as statutory. They both pay me the same per line, but since the statutory one also pays half of my SS and MC taxes, it's like taking my line count and adding 7.65% to it!
You may ask why I don't just go full-time with the statutory--the answer is this: My IC account has a lot of standards, so I actually make about the same, if not more, even after I consider the fact that I am responsible for all of my taxes for income made with this account.
Hope this helps to answer some of your questions!
Everyone has to pay 15% for social security; however, for employees
7.5% is paid by the employer (by law) and 7.5% by the employee. Self employed - contractors - must pay the full amount themselves.
2005 MW Social Security Statement
Thank you very much for alerting us to this.
I am ex-MW employee. I too am going to report MW as my 2005 SS statement was not reported. I hope they are FULLY investigated.
I am going to call SS in the morning. Who should I notify in the Department of Labor?
I also did not have my state taxes taken out by MW, but I was required to pay my state taxes as if I were an IC in my state, even though I was an employee in this company.
Taken directly from social security web site
I am full retirement age (FRA) and still working; do I report my earnings to Social Security?
Question
I am full retirement age and still working. Do I have to report my earnings to Social Security?
Answer
When you reach full retirement age you no longer need to report your earnings to Social Security.
You do, however, need to report earnings for those months in the calendar year before the month you reach full retirement age. For example, if you reach it in May, you would need to report your earnings for the four earlier months.
The law also changed the annual earnings limit for workers who reach full retirement age during the year. During those months before you reach full retirement age, your benefits would be reduced $1 for each $3 you earned over the limit which is $37,680 in 2009 and $36,120 in 2008.
While there are tax savings remember you must pay the full 15% of social security
And not 7% portion with your employer patient the other 7%. There are lots of deductions true, but those social security taxers are the killer.
Here Here!!! I just called the Social Security office to apply for benefits, and somebody is already
They needed and had my medical records to do this.!
retiring from Spheris? Gonna get retirement pay from them or Social Security? nm
.
since I didn't pay into social security as an IC, I started a retirement plan to cover me.
x
Thanks everyone, I will check with my state
XX
if the check is from an out of state bank,
they usually put a hold on it.
If you have the funds to cover the check, put it in savings and transfer savings to checking. That way the hold is on the savings account.
Check the laws in your state. SM
In my state, the number one reason to qualify for unemployment is lack of work, even if you are still employed (a lot of circumstances to consider here). The company can threaten you all they want about production but if they are not providing the work, that is their fault. If they let you go, you DO qualify IN ANY STATE if it is for lack of work. The unemployment here has a 1 week waiting period, but apply for it ASAP. It is only going to be about 50% of your regular income though. This is determined by the highest amount of quarterly pay you received in the last 5 quarters. If there is any unemployment office near you, they can answer your questions. You can even apply online there with a counselor available to help you if you have any problems.
Agreed, check your state's web site
like having at least 3 employees in the residing state, or earnings over XX dollars unless it is in such-and-such industry. Most states just require one employee with a very low income. I had to get an employer to read the web site and ask their tax accountant before they started cutting taxes.
What about deductions?
I also recently started working as an IC, for the first time. Besides setting aside part of my wages, is it true that at tax time I can lessen the tax bill quite a bit by taking a home office deduction, such as utilities, etc.? Do I pay separately into Social Security? Inquiring minds want to know.......Thanks!
Deductions are still allowed
Even if you are on employee status, you can still take deductions for your at-home office. I didn't think so either until my accountant told me that absolutely, you still can. It isn't as much as if you are totally self employed, but there are still quite a few allowed. The best of both worlds is statutory employee. That means you do not pay both sides of the SS Tax but you still send in quarterlies. This way, you can take all deductions for your home office, etc. Hope this clarifies it a bit better.
Are you sure taking all available deductions?
x
You forgot to do some deductions - sm
like medical benefits, taxes, no pay for vacation or sick time, no rasies, etc. I got out of this field about a year ago but still visit this board. It amazes me how the same baloney is complained about for at least the 10 years I was an MT. Not everyone can type 200 lph no matter how long they've been typing. You have no idea how BAD it is for your health to sit for long periods of time. Glad you're happy with the position and I'm happy I'm out of it. Now I get bennies, vacation pay, don't have to work holidays and/or weekends and make about $16/hr.
Those things MTs pay for are tax deductions. And
dr. to you? DO you think it just magically appears in your PC? And who do you thing handles the disgruntled facilities, dictation-to-MT break-downs, and all the other irritating details that come with this business. It is not just work in, work out, cash the check.
Unless something has changed, health insurance rates vary state by state, so we may not have the
info you need. I'm an IC so I don't have benefits.
You are correct. The state that rules is the state the employee lives in.
My state laws has is spelled out in their Code. If another state does not withhold, they are fined heavily and if they don't withhold for years, their fines are pretty bad. I worked for a Florida co that did not withhold income tax for my state even after I brought it to their attention in the state code. They kept saying that they would eventually and never did. After two plus years and when I left, I made it known to my state all the conversations, the state refunded me all late fees they charged me and then said they were going after the company in Florida because they had many employees in our state. They deserved it. They knew better.
Saw JLG hiring SE and IC. SE can take home office deductions, right? (sm)
Any other pros/cons about this or the company in general?
I'm an employee and can take home office deductions. You
have to have a $$ amount equal to a certain percentage of your income to be able to claim expenses if you are not an IC. I don't claim home office because it only made about a $50 difference in my report and I'd rather not claim it than worry about an audit since my office isn't 100% office use, my internet service isn't 100% work related, etc. HR Block does my taxes too.
Please excuse typo--I meant deductions
its getting late and I stacked wood all day. LOL!
But as work at home IC, deductions can often lower
x
I thought statutory could claim those same deductions? NM
The state you live in or the state where the MTSO is located? nm
nm
But MT is JOB, not home, not a social club. It is
x
They've been out of social circulation way too long
Plus, they have nothing better to do than argue with strangers on a message board. I can't believe what a mess their lives have to be. Sad.
i dunno about the lack of social circulation c msg
i know quite a bit of MTs who love to be around other mts trying to throw a power trip with a bit of facial expression like--im right and youre not--kinda thing. thats sad too
I work Sun-Thurs and Georgie needs social skills
I changed from Tues-Sat 1st shift to Sun-Thurs 3rd shift because I start Sunday evening and I am done with my shift on Fridays at 7:00 a.m. I have all day Saturday and Sunday to spend with my family.
Georgie, you are just a NASTY person. There is no reason to be so rude and condescending to others. I think you need to take some classes on social skills or get some counseling because you seem to be a pretty MISERABLE person.
If company is in state that has no state taxes
they are not required to take out state taxes. It's enough to keep up with your own state tax law code, could you imagine having to stay abreast of 49 other state tax codes? The cost would be huge and ultimately passed on to us by lower line rates. Regardless of who owes the tax, someone has to pay it. Just a matter of convenience I guess.
Not state by state, federal labor law - sm
and you don't have to be asked. If you work it, asked or not, they have to pay time and a half OT rate for hours worked over 40 in a week.
Taken right from U.S. Dept of Labor -
An employer who requires or PERMITS an employee to work overtime is generally required to pay the employee premium pay for such overtime work. Employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)MUST receive overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek of at least one and one-half times their regular rates of pay. The FLSA does not require overtime pay for work on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or regular days of rest.
Extra pay for working weekends or nights is a matter of agreement between the employer and the employee (or the employee's representative). The FLSA does not require extra pay for weekend or night work or double time pay.
Different state to state. You would be surprised to find
IC can be defined differently state to state. Even the IRS cannot come up with a definitive set of rules. You would be surprised how many ICs actually get unemployment in some states. If the unemployment claim form asks specifically if you are an independent contractor, do not lie, but if it does not, do not volunteer it. Let the company prove you are a true IC according to the rules of your state. All you lose is a few minutes filling out the claim form. I would only do it as a last resort. If you can find work fast, by all means go for it, but the way things are now with all the VR and off-shoring, it is a backup if you cannot find work. No one should go hungry because they are afraid to file for Unemployment as an IC.
NO job security
Well, I can add a little more information about Interpro. I signed on to work, as usual, on this particular day, second shift and had an instant message waiting for me that said, "I sent you an email. Please read ASAP!"...it was a letter telling me that as an IC, I no longer had a job as of IMMEDIATELY and that they were phasing out the ICs in the company. I've never, ever lost a job in my life! What's more, the team I was on had gotten along great...one big happy family....that worked their rear off!!! I've seen these gals work over 16 hours a day to get the work out. I worked on a great team. Those ladies were great! They worked their rear off and for what? They never talked to you like you were stupid or beneath them. They were real, real people! They were awesome bosses! Sorry you new folks won't have the experience of working for them. This company needs to learn to appreciate their workers. Hey Interpro, the majority of your workers actually DO work and should NOT be treated as just a production number in the computer or as a pile of crap. I'm not there anymore, and that's fine. But Nandan needs to wake up and see what's going on in his company. It was much, much better before, Nandan!!! You made big major administrative changes in the last month and it is ruining your company...and just for the record, they do send work to India. I certainly miss the folks I worked with, but I don't miss the company itself.
Security fob - sm
Do you find that to be terribly inconvenient, i.e., does it interfere with your production at all in your opinion? I tired to use one with one job, and while I wasn't with this job very long, I strongly disliked it LOL.
Me too. Also, job security to the MTs
My son's pediatrician and my own doctor have English as their second language and I would bet my life and my son's life on both of them. They are wonderful people. Both of them said they would love for me to tanscribe for them, too, if they did not have their own service. I guess we all get to do in life what we are destined to do. I do see these so-called ESLs as people who provide great care and honestly I have transcribed for so long, I don't even blink at who is dictating. It is the dictator in any language who disrepects the medical record by misspeaking terminology or just plain disrespects the Transcriptionist in that they think we read their minds that I think less of, in which case I leave a blank. They can fill it in, and read their own mind. LOL.
Extra job security, anybody do this?
I recently took on another job, this one part-time. I had been working for several months for a company that was constantly running out of work. This way I can always be sure there will be work in one place or other. I think in these economic times we have to protect ourselves. Anybody else do this? How does it work for you?
False security...DUH !
The email address isn't what they check; any dummy can use a false name. IP address and computer MAC address is what they check.
No anonymity.
Work 3 - like the security - cm
I am an IC for a doctor working about 6 hours a week.
I am an IC for a small service about 15 hours a week.
Lastly, I work as an IC at a midsize service to cover the rest of my income.
My preference would be to have 2 income sources instead of 3 as I don't really make *more* this way; however, the job security is better this way. I can always move work around to cover when I have less work from another source. I can't afford slack paychecks as I am a single mom with no CS.
I like that I am doing clinic work and acute care work so I don't get pegged into one hole and lose marketability. I also like the extreme flexibility in that I can do the work any time during the day and not be tied to a clock.
It is a matter of security not personal. nm
nm
Does Keystrokes use a security fob for their accounts? nm
xx
What about violation of Homeland Security
They have all our personal information over there where it isn't safe. I was told of an Indian that was doing AIDs patients, got mad, printed their information, and sent their reports to family members....Go outsourcing!!! If my doctors outsource I won't go to them anymore. Ask before you go...
IC versus employee - job security
Which status affords more job security with a company? Working as IC now and love the account and the company. I really want to ensure a long future with the company, so wouldn't going PT employee status be the obvious choice over remaining IC? I understand the pay is a bit lower but is one really more advantageous than the other. I do not need benefits currently; however, they do offer a 401K program for their PT employees. Thanks for any input.
Employee status = more security
There is an investment by the employer toward an employee through their unemployment insurance, all the recruiting and hiring costs, etc. As well, employers are bound by several state and federal regulations on interacting with employees.
A contract with an IC usually has a quit clause in it and, even if it doesn't, most ICs do not have the money to battle legally about a contract that was annulled. Easily broken.
It's about Nat'l Security, not bashing India
I have posted this before. It's not that American MTs are scapegoating India or Indian MTs.
Are 1st concern is with NATIONAL SECURITY. Some of our MTSO do transcribe for V.A. Hospitals (and 1 brave MT did whistle blow on Medquist for doing this).
I'm not against nation building; however, how is it that India and Pakistan have billions for nuclear weapons, BUT can't feed their people???
And, why do their top 1-10% of their educated, the Brahmans, ABANDON their country the 1st chance they get, and leave their country with a BRAIN DRAIN?
This situation is like Mexico in reverse. We get Mexico's uneducated and poor AND India's best and brightest.
These respective country's government MUST do better for their OWN PEOPLE!
It is not a matter of national security......
First: It's one thing to know whether I have HBO or Cinemax, quite another to know those in the US Armed Forces could have INTIMATE details of their H&Ps, operative and rehab reports, their addresses and phone numbers, and those of their loved ones, in an Indian or Pakistani file server.
------^ This information is easily available. Again, you think your job as an MT is more important than it really is.
Second: Why didn't you answer why India and Pakistan spend billions on nuclear weapons, BUT their people are STARVING? (whose being racists and cruel here?)
------^ Last I heard, the United States was helping Pakistan. Did you forget about that?
Lastly, the U.S. and Canada have OFFICIAL border, trade and protection treaties to protect each other, as they do now, having multi-nat'l forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is not the case with either India or Pakistan.
------^ Who cares! So, you believe your medical record is safer in Canada than in India? Why exactly is that? What makes an Indian more likely to misuse your information than a Candian? Please answer that question?
Musharef can't even get OBL in the Pakistani mountains because tribes are protecting him there!!!
-------^ And what exactly does this have to do with anyone's medical record? Why don't you first ask President Bush why the US has not captured OBL?
Now, tell me who is RACIST???!!!
-------^ ASK YOURSELF THAT QUESTION!!!!
Cleaning up garbage is job security? nm
nm
UMM, if you follow Workstation Security Policy you can.
Please refer to this document. If you land a private account, understand and follow all HIPAA guidelines, write up a confidentiality policy that you follow for the clinic, sign it, give them a copy for their records and keep a copy, copy and complete for each clinic the Workstation Security Policy, sign it and have the clinic sign it. Never let anyone use your work computer and hopefully have a private office. Store all records safely and shred all documents with PHI on them that you print.
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