IRS Tax Penalties

Per Diem Rates from the U.S. General Services Administration

Search by city, state or ZIP code, or by clicking on the map. You can also use the new per diem tool to calculate trip allowances

Rates are set by fiscal year, effective October 1 each year. Find current rates in the continental United States ("CONUS Rates").

Who Are Independent Contractors?


Independent contractors include self-employed persons who:
  • Generally promote their services to the public.
  • May work on a referral basis.
  • Control what, when and how their work is done.
  • Provide their own equipment and supplies to do their work.
  • Generally have several clients/customers.

Examples of Independent contractors include, self-employed professionals such as accountants, doctors, and attorneys, and self-employed tradespersons such as, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and house painters.

Not Sure How to Classify a Worker?

If you're not sure what a worker's status should be, you can have the IRS determine the worker's status.

Complete Form SS-8, Determination of Worker Status for Purposes of Federal Employment Taxes and Income Tax Withholding and submit it to the IRS.

Stiff Penalties!

Intentionally misclassifying workers known to be employees as independent contractors to avoid employment taxes is risky business.

The penalties are harsh. Businesses have even been forced to close due to the magnitude of the penalty assessment resulting from an employment audit by IRS (and/or state) auditors.

Good Faith Misclassification of Workers

IRC 3509 is a relief provision intended to save an innocent employer from financial disaster due to a reclassification assessment.

As long as the IRS concludes that an employer did not intentionally disregarded his duty to withhold and pay employment taxes by misclassifying workers as independent contractors, relief is available.

Here's part of an IRS memo on employment taxes dated July 6, 2009:

IRC Section 3509 - The tax rates under IRC Section 3509 are required to be used in all reclassification cases unless there has been intentional disregard to treat the worker as an employee. When making a determination regarding the applicability of Section 3509 in any reclassification case, including officer compensation cases, examiners should consider Section 3509(c) first.

...a taxpayer is not entitled to the reduced rates of Section 3509 if the taxpayer intentionally disregarded the employment tax requirements.

Avoid costly penalties!

Use the IRS Online Tax Calendar
to check filing and deposit deadlines.