Small Business Law and Litigation Glossary Terms

Independent Contractor

Workers who provide a service or trade, independent of a permanent employment relationship. The term refers to people who are in business for themselves and frequently includes freelancers, consultants, designers, accountants, independent plumbers and carpenters and any other independent providers of trades. Independent contractors are frequently paid a set fee per project but are sometimes paid hourly for their work, depending on the field of business or type of project. Because of the tax implications of independent contractors, the IRS has strict rules about when an entity can be considered an independent contractor and when they are acting and being used more commonly as an employee of a business.

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