First, were you an employee or contractor?

• Unemployment question - MYD
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I've asked this before, but now have new problems and am hoping to get some advice.  I've been working at home for a small clinic (one physician).  Her husband, who is the doctor's husband, let me go due to physical problems that kept me from doing some additional duties they needed me to do; also, my not being a "team player"--not enthusiastic about the extra duties.  So I'm at home with no contract now for about 1-1/2 months.  The OM didn't think it was necessary--he said "we trust you!!"  The OM calls me on the weekends or nights with requests or questions, and messages get increasingly snippy if I don't return his calls ASAP.  This week I had a job interview out of town, because I cannot live on my current income (approx $850.00/month gross).  I informed the office I was going out of town.  During the time I was gone, less than 24 hours, he called three times and sent an email.  It wasn't anything that could not have waited until I returned and responded to one of the phone calls or email.  I feel like an offsite employee (with no benefits) rather than an independent contractor! 

How should I handle this?  Probably, as my daughter tells me, I should just put up with it until I can find another job.  Any experience with a similar situation?  Thanks--

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do the work at your convenience.  Within reason, yes.  As long as the work is done by the deadline.  But if you are partying it up or visiting friends or whatever and don't meet your deadline, then you have broken your end of the contract.  Yes, ICs DO have a responsibility, even though you seem to think they don't.  There is a deadline to be met.  It is completely irresponsible to be doing OTHER  things and not meet your work deadline.  As an IC, when you agreed to do the account you agreed to keep up your end and have the work done by a certain time.  If you don't want to do that, the MTSO can and will find someone who will.

What if you hire a roofer?  Is it okay with you if he just puts your roof on whenever he gets around to it?  Or is it okay for him to put it off if there's something else he'd rather do?  I think you know the answer to that.

I am hesitant to take that giant leap into being totally an IC.  I have an IC position now and my boss has offered it to me FT and he lets you work as much as you want. Basially I try to keep somewhat of a decent schedule.  I also work for a large outsource company.  I can make more money as an IC and have checked on a zillion insurance companies, all about the same.  I have never been without health insurance doing transcription and that is what scares me especially since I am older.

One friend has quit this company  that we work for already.  It is such a struggle to get line count especially since they do not pay for "S". 

Do any of you IC people that  might work for a smaller outsouce company regret being an IC?  I know that one has to be organized and set aside money for taxes but I feel that mentally I would be happier if I would just take the dive.  I have worked this PT position for 4 years and the boss is great to work for and he tells you all of the time he appreciates your work which one very seldom hears and he also has good bonus money for working holidays if you want and even gets you a Xmas gift which is very nice and he really is thoughtful and I know we make him lots of money, but he is lucky to have dedicated girls too.

I am thinking that I need the mental change and I will be doing the work type I love to do and that is OPs.  I have just lost my drive, motivation of going to work everyday for this national company and I just cannot seem to get beyond that barrier no matter how much I have tried. We run out of work, too many people on accounts, then have to sit and wait. My time is valuable just like theirs.  My doc wanted to put me on Lexapro and I took three and then I got to thinking I am not going to let my old hospital drive me crazy and depressed and I quit taking the Lexapro.  I need to focus on another goal right now.  I feel like Eagle Eyes are watching me all of the time.  The only thing holding me back is I have medical insurance with this other place but since being there I have only reached the 800 lines a day goal a few times and it took me about 10 hours to do that which is awful. It seems like you type forever and get nowhere.  I have lost my speed and I very seldom get to do OPs anymore.  I used to do 30 a day at least.

I want to enjoy life a little more and there are other jobs out there that do pay much better than I am making taxes or no taxes to fool with.  I have done this type of work for 29 years and maybe I am at that burnout point and just need a fresh change.  I really think I need a fresh start so to speak.  Thanks for letting me vent. Any feedback will be helpful.  I do not have any small children, all grown so I am very very flexible. 

Is it worth being an IC, bottom line????

I have worked for this PT company for 4 years and he has always paid on time, never a problem with paycheck and I personally knew him when he was a salesman for Lanier, so I am comfortable with him. 

It is a big step to take and he a 5-year contract with hospital so there is plenty of work.  I am a pretty organized person, but if it was not for that darn insurance.  Someone told me that the company that I am working for FT will have open enrollment in November and they are changing to a new insurance but you have to be producing 1000 lines a day to qualify.  With their platform it takes around a 10-hour work day just to get to the 800 lines. That is what we all thought, 800--no problem.  Boy did we have a rude awakening, everyone is struggling.  It basically boils down to how much of a hassle for doing own taxes very peace of mind and get back to what I really like to do without someone "dinging for every little comma, semicolon, hyphen and incorrect verbage.  I am a good MT but here lately I am beginning to doubt just about everything I type and I am always having my head in the BOS.  I have been doing this for 29 years, but I do feel like I am just coming out of English class and just a newbie which is not a good feeling at my age and exp.  I want to like to do my job but right now not feeling that.  Thanks for input all.

It's like being self-employed.  You don't get taxes deducted from your paycheck.  You have to do it yourself.  You are also supposed to be able to set your own hours, although some companies still make you work a shift.

Does anybody know of companies that still hire Statutory or independent contractors?  Since I take the standard deduction on my personal taxes I can no longer deduct my MT expenses and that's a major ouch.  Thanks for any help.

I'm going to be able to return to work very part time since my disability is getting a bit better.  I have an offer to work as an independent contractor, probably not making more than 12 grand per year.

This will be my first time being a contractor and I'm boggled after reading the IRS info on the site.  Do I need to file for a taxpayer ID# or can I just use my Social Security number?  I think I can wade through paying the taxes, etc, but may have an accountant do this initially.

Thank's in advance, Becca.

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http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs13.pdf

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Independent Contractor vs. Small Business?

I am negotiating a contract with a clinic to be one of two transcriptionists.  I have typed for this clinic for several years as a sub-contractor, but the current contract holder is not renewing the contract.  The clinic's lawyer is not comfortable with "Independent contractor" as the contract would be for one year and for the usual questionable definition of an IC. 

I tried to research this and just became more and more confused.. so I hope I can get a little advice here..  I do not want to be employed by the clinic - I prefer to be self-employed.  Do I make myself a small business and get a license?  I do plan to meet with my accountant to ask some questions, but I was hoping to get a little info here so that I would not sound completely stupid!  (Doesn't seem as bad to sound stupid here rather than in person!)  I am used to getting a 1099 and paying self-employment tax. 

Are you an Independent contractor or a small business?  I do not plan to have any employees..I just want to type for this clinic and get paid! THanks!

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IC contractor out of state where company is, how to file
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Not sure how to file taxes... Work in PA, IC to IL, do I have to file taxes in IL?? Any help on this I appreciatejavascript:editor_insertHTML('text','');
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independent contractor kinda sorta....nm
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Independent Contractor/Taxes Question

If you are IC and you live in California and the company you work for is in New York, which state do you claim your taxes with??  The state you live in or the state of the company that you work for?

Thanks!

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OK. I will. Get your own accounts & truly be an independent contractor. Set your own rates. nm
nm

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How to find legitimate work as an independent contractor?

I work about 25 hours per week for a company, making 7.5 cpl. I'd like to try supplementing with some IC work to try to make more per line. How do you go about scouting out legitimate work?

Thanks...

 

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she did say IC lunches as in contractor/client business related network.nm
xx

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14.00/hr for radiology private contractor job/PT, internet based. Good dictation.

When he said we pay by the hour not the line, I was unprepared to give him my fee!   I typed for these rads when I worked at the hospital so know them well.  About two hours per day of work for their outpatient imaging center (MRIs, CTs, mammograms, ultrasounds).

Thanks!

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You an IC, statutory employee or employee?
That designation, and/or forcing the IRS to designate you, can make a diff. Are you a corporation? Partnership? You need WAY more help than we can give you.

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If you are employee, unless suit against your employee
otherwise the posts on here as far as I can see telling it like it is. I think a lot of the posts are so young they just don’t have a clue as to what it means to be an employee. You do as your employee wants (I am talking reason now, not stupidity as far as sexual advances, etc) or else you find another company that fits your personality better. You do not confront, you do not tell your employee no, that is their job, not yours. This is such a simple thing for people who have been in the work force for any period of time.

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IC or Employee?

I read an article on the web regarding how companies are abusing the independent contractor status to keep from paying benefits, WC, social security, etc.  In my situation, I have been with the same company for three years and I do not get shift differential, weekend differential, or overtime.  I work 7 days a week, totally directed by the company, hours set by the company, etc.  If I had been an employee, which I believe I have been all along, I would be owed thousands of dollars in overtime.  Where do YOU fall?  Below is the IRS quick look at where you stand.

http://www.ftmn.com/Employee.html

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An employee
I cant say who but it is an employee.

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You are an employee. I am not. Again, you are an employee because SM

you need "employee stuff" but I am not an employee because I don't need employee stuff. I just need work.

Why do *I* have to adhere to a schedule? I don't. And my MTSO loves me to death because I just make her look good.

You need to go to an all-employee company or a company where you are the boss so you can stop this from happening. The MTSO just wants the work out of there. You want it to all be suspended until you sit down to work, and that is just not going to happen, nor should it.

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No, FT employee
Looking for another job this very minute. I think this is way over the line.

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As an employee ---

If I actually work 40 hours a week, my gross is about $730, which I think is good when I also have all taxes cut (Federal match), PTO, STD, LTD, healthy, dental, vision, internet reimbursement, quarterly and yearly incentives in addition to base pay.  Never run out of work.  Benefits add about 30% more to base pay, so it seems to be a wash with the ICs who have commented.

I left a job recently where I worked 5 hours a day and grossed $750/week with all taxes cut, 2 paid weeks vacation a year, free health insurance.  I left because they were getting interns to work for free and forcing out their higher paid and longer term employees.  Had to use vacation pay when there was not work or not get paid at all.

I like the pay/hours at the former job but I like the current stability that I have now better.

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Employee
This is the exact reason our company will never use an IC. We utilize employee status transcriptionists

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This is what I do. I am an employee
but my company is in FL where they don't have state tax.   I don't need any $$ taken out for federal, but I have extra $$ taken from DH check for state taxes.  2005 was the first full year we did it and this year we are getting back $450 state, when we've paid in the past, plus a penalty for not having enough taxes taken out.   You could also change dependents if appropriate.  

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IC vs employee
Can someone explain to me the difference between 8 cpl as an employee and 8 cpl as an IC?  I know you have to pay your own taxes as an IC but what I mean is what does 8 cpl translate into once you pay self-employment tax.  How much less are you making as an IC at 8cpl than if you were an employee at 8 cpl is what I am trying to ask.  Thanks.

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IC vs employee
If you are an employee, the employer pays half of the Social Security tax. If you are an IC, you have to pay the full amount yourself. HOWEVER, you can then take a deduction on your taxes for that second half. I haven't figured my taxes yet, so I don't know if it is a deduction or a tax credit (which is better), but at least it does help so you don't end up paying the entire amount. As an employee you also don't have all the deductions that ICs get, so that makes a difference in the bottom line, too.

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Are you IC or employee?
If you are an IC, you can take off whenever you want (with appropriate notice of course). If you are employee, do you have vacation/PTO time? Do they not let you use it when you want?

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Are you an IC or employee? - nm
nm

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Employee (sm)
I work for MedQuist.

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anyone go from IC to employee and like it better?
I was offered a job and I'm now weighing the options.  I have always been an IC and have been offered employee status with another company.  The pay is 1/2 cent cheaper than what I make now as an IC.  The hours are still flexible and they do offer good benefits, PTO, vacation, etc... Has anyone gone from IC to employee or tried both and would like to comment? Thanks!

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IC or employee

In my 22 year MT career I've found that doing a bit of both works best for me.  Since I'm a single parent I really need the insurance benefits, and with regards to taxes, my accountant told me it's best to keep your W2 job because the taxes you pay there helps to pay your self-employment taxes.  I do 20 hours W2 and the other half IC.

ms

 

 

 

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