Director's Rule 5-039
Employees distinguished from persons engaging in business
Employees distinguished from persons engaging in business
(1) Introduction. The Seattle Municipal Code imposes taxes and fees upon persons engaged in business but not upon persons acting solely in the capacity of employees pursuant to SMC 5.45.090(S). This rule states the conditions that serve to indicate whether a person is engaging in business or is an employee.
(2) Considerations. While no one factor definitely determines employee status, the most important consideration is the employers right to control the employee. The right to control is not limited to controlling the result of the work to be accomplished, but includes controlling the details and means by which the work is accomplished. In cases of doubt about employee status all the pertinent facts should be submitted to the License and Tax Administration for a specific determination.
(3) Persons engaging in business. For the purpose of determining whether an individual is an employee or independent contractor, the term "engaging in business" includes commencing, conducting, or continuing in business, and also the exercise of corporate or franchise powers, as well as liquidating a business when the liquidators thereof hold themselves out to the public as conducting such business. SMC 5.30.030(B)(1). Engaging in business also includes the act of transferring, selling or otherwise dealing in real or personal property, or the rendition of services, for consideration except as an employee. The following conditions will serve to indicate that a person is engaging in business.
If a person is:
(a) Holding oneself out to the public as engaging in business with respect to dealings in real or personal property, or in respect to the rendition of services;
(b) Entitled to receive the gross income of the business or any part thereof;
(c) Liable for business losses or the expense of conducting a business, even though such expenses may ultimately be reimbursed by a principal;
(d) Controlling and supervising others, and being personally liable for their payroll, as a part of engaging in business;
(e) Employing others to carry out duties and responsibilities related to engaging in business and being personally liable for their pay;
(f) Filing a statement of business income and expenses (Schedule C) for federal income tax purposes;
(g) A party to a written contract, the intent of which establishes the person to be an independent contractor; or
(h) Paid a gross amount for the work without deductions for employment taxes (such as Federal Insurance Contributions Act, Federal Unemployment Tax Act, and similar state taxes).
(4) Employees. The following conditions indicate that a person is an employee.
If the person:
(a) Receives compensation, which is fixed at a certain rate per day, week, month or year, or at a certain percentage of business obtained, payable in all events;
(b) Is employed to perform services in the affairs of another, subject to the others control or right to control;
(c) Has no liability for the expenses of maintaining an office or other place of business, or any other overhead expenses or for compensation of employees;
(d) Has no liability for losses or indebtedness incurred in the conduct of the business;
(e) Is generally entitled to fringe benefits normally associated with an employeremployee relationship, e.g., paid vacation, sick leave, insurance, and pension benefits;
(f) Is treated as an employee for federal tax purposes;
(g) Is paid a net amount after deductions for employment taxes, such as those identified in subsection (3)(h) of this section.
(5) Full-time life insurance salespersons. SMC 5.45.090(S) provides that individuals performing services as full-time life insurance salespersons, as provided in section 3121 (d)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, will be considered employees. Treatment as an employee under this subsection (5) applies only to persons engaged in the full-time sale of life insurance. The status of other persons, including others listed in section 3121(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, will be determined according to the provisions of subsections (2) through (4) of this section. See Seattle
Rule 5-526 for the proper tax treatment of insurance agents, brokers, and solicitors.
(6) Operators of rented or owned equipment. Persons who furnish equipment on a rental or other basis for a charge and who also furnish the equipment operators, are engaging in business and are not employees of their customers. Likewise, persons who furnish materials and the labor necessary to install or apply the materials, or produce something from the materials, are presumed to be engaging in business and not to be employees of their customers.
(7) Casual laborers. Persons regularly performing odd job carpentry, painting or paperhanging, plumbing, bricklaying, electrical work, cleaning, yard work, etc., for the public generally are presumed to be engaging in business. The burden of proof is upon such persons to show otherwise.
(8) Entities. A corporation, joint venture, or any group of individuals acting as a unit, is not an employee.
(9) Booth renters. For purposes of the business license tax a "booth renter," as defined in RCW 82.04.360(3), is considered engaged in business and not an employee.
(a) A "booth renter" is any person who:
(i) Performs cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, or manicuring services for which a license is required pursuant to chapter 18.16 RCW; and
(ii) Pays a fee for the use of salon or shop facilities and receives no compensation or other consideration from the owner of the salon or shop for the services performed.
(b) For the taxability of amounts received for the rental or licensing of real estate refer to Rule 5-530. Refer to Rule 5-132 for the taxability of amounts received for leased departments.
(10) Personal chefs. Personal chefs are engaging in a business as independent contractors. They prepare meals for consumption at their clients homes. Personal chefs typically serve multiple clients, working with the clients to create personalized meal plans based on the clients specific dietary requirements or requests. The meals may be prepared in the clients home or in a commercial kitchen and delivered to the clients home. Personal chefs may also prepare meals for social events, such as dinner parties, cocktail parties, engagement parties, weddings, or receptions.
DIRECTOR'S CERTIFICATION
I, Glen M. Lee, Finance Director of the City of Seattle, do hereby certify
under penalty of perjury of law, that the within and foregoing is a true and correct copy as adopted by the City of Seattle, Department of Finance and Administrative Services.
DATED this ______ day of July 2016. CITY OF SEATTLE, a Washington municipality
By: ____________________________________
Glen M. Lee, Finance Director
Department of Finance and Administrative Services
Effective date: July 14, 2016