independent contractors are sometimes the worse - sm

• to the transcriptionists who felt that a criminal background check was a violation - sm - kg
  • background checks - anonymous
  • my only problem with that was when I read the fine-print... - MTMT
  • Criminal background checks just verify that you are who you are for the most part. I do them for - not a big deal at all
  • So, if you hire an independent contractor to sm - Mae
    • independent contractors are sometimes the worse - sm - kg
      • To kg - Mae
        • Don't have to submit to background check, BUT - The company doesn't have to use your service, e
        • That doesn't even matter if the DOJ only requires your - I don't see the problem
          • THANK YOU to the above poster - sm - KG
            • Actually, if you did turn around and sell - Anon
        • Then think about that the next time you hire "painters" nm - kg
          • message - Mae
            • my, how you read into that - didn't you. - kg
      • the above post is for Mae - kg
        • another thing - Mae - just for further info - sm - kg
          • also for kg - Mae
  • If there's nothing to hide, people shouldn't have a problem with it. - nm
  • I don't know what the big deal is. - sm

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Has anyone heard that independent contractors are going to be a thing of the past within the next few months according to the IRS?  I have been told need to be an employee or incorporate.  Anyone have an incorporated small business from their home?  Pluses or minuses?  It is confusing.   What about all other self-employed people in this country?  It is the same thing:(  So sad that government is taking over.

I was wondering if someone could give me an opinion. I have had 2 ICs working for me for about 5 years.  I have paid them by the line all the time a very good rate, which I cannot continue to do anymore. I still have to go over every bit of their work after all this time and there are still errors and I am so tired of this but have not had the chance to look for anyone new and don't have time right now to try training anyone new.  Would it be unethical to pay them less per line or convert to a page rate that would be cheaper.  I feel like I am throwing money out the window but until I find someone new I just have to do something short of getting rid of them.  Is it unethical to just cut their line rate or pay by the page a cheaper rate. 

I have just started a position for a company, and they require that I hold general liability insurance, but am a little lost as far as how to obtain that!  Just wondering if anyone had any pointers for me. 

Thank you in advance! :-)

I have been working at home as an independent contractor for Scribes Data out of Ontario, Canada for the past three years and have loved working for them. I have worked my way to the top of the pay scale and am currently earning between $38-$40/hour. Recently I have been contacted twice by management asking me to consider becoming a full-time employee with benefits rather than an independent contractor. This would mean a dramatic decrease in pay... a $17,000/year base salary plus 60-70 cents/minute of dictation. For the last year I had been paid $1.60/minute of dictation, but just this past month they decreased that to $1.50/minute, stating that was more in line with their pay structure and that I would only be earing $1.60/minute on the radiology dictation I typed. And then a couple of weeks later they contacted me again statingn that I was no longer going to type any radiology dictation unless I was needed and then I would still only be paid the $1.50/minute.

This decrease in pay of 10 cents/minute does not really concern me, it just means I may have to work a littel longer than my normal 5 1/2 hours per day and I do not have a problem with that. My concern is that they are really going to push me to become an employee and just keep taking accounts away from me until I do just that.

Just wondering if there is anybody else out there who may be worried about the same thing.

I don't know if this is really where to post this, but I'm not a new MT. I have been doing this for almost 3 years. I have been working for companies and want to get my own doctors. Any ideas on how to advertise? I was thinking of mailing flyers, but am not really that creative and don't really know what to put on there. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

insurance, what companies are the policies with? i've done the quote thing with a couple online services that quote several companies, but i've heard of very few of the companies that reply. does anyone have mega? or heard of nase?? or even which companies to avoid would be extremely appreciated. (i'm in indiana with 1 child).   TIA!!!! 

good morning!  Someone had posted information about a good consultant for an independent MT business.  Would you be so kind to e-mail me the information.  I have been looking into starting my own business and would love to get off on the right track.  I know some people don't work with contracts but I would like to cover myself.  Plus I think its just good to have one.  I feel its just like opening any other type of business and it would be good to know there is someone to talk with about it.  Once again, thank you for your time. 

Started this year as independent. Tried to reach tax person, not there. Now when I send in my federal taxes, are social security taxes paid out of that or am I supposed to send those somewhere else? Thanks.

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.

Click here:

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.

Have you considered a consultant?  I know a very good one who not only works with independent transcriptionists but also assists acute care facilities with new information systems.  I would be happy to send you the info. 

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!

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!