On May 3rd Governor Phil Murphy continued his efforts to protect workers in New Jersey by signing an Executive Order establishing a Task Force on Employee Misclassification. The Executive Order estimates that misclassification of workers may deprive New Jersey of over $500 million annually in tax revenue and deprive workers of employment related benefits and protections.
Employers have a duty to withhold social security, Medicare and unemployment taxes from employees’ paychecks. Failing to do so could result in significant liability, including penalties and interest.
Courts in New Jersey now apply the ABC Test when deciding whether workers are independent contractors under the New Jersey Wage Payment Law and the Wage and Hour Law. Employers must show each of the following:
- That the worker is free from the Company’s control in performing the services;
- That the worker performs those services outside the usual course of the Company’s business or outside the Company’s place of business; and
- That the worker is engaged in an independently established business.
Similarly, the Internal Revenue Service now uses an eleven factor test that is a refinement of its previous twenty (20) factor test. Its test looks at the extent of behavioral and financial control over the worker as well as the type of relationship (including whether benefits are provided and the permanency of the relationship.)
The Take-away for Employers: Promptly review your relationship with all consultants and workers you treat as independent contractors using these stringent tests.