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I'm a professional dog walker. I have one part-time assistant, whom I pay exactly what I get paid. (I don't take a cut.) I squirrel away money for taxes, and pay them quarterly. I don't have health insurance (can't afford it.) I don't use the emergency room; I see my doctor yearly and pay the bill. I got a flu shot two weeks ago. My husband and I are a one-car household, thus saving on gas and resources. We shop locally as much as possible.
I started my business with existing money; no bank loan. We vote "yes" on all school bond issues and millages.
I don't know how much of this information is relevant to my question, but I'm putting it out there for you to make a decision.
So? Am I a "maker" or a "taker?"
Just sound like a fairly self-responsible dog walker.
Good enough for me.
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Be careful on the "assistant" status of your co-worker. You may get ascribed to have "employer" responsibilities to/for someone who is not likely your statutory nor even common-law employee. This being a business forum, and all. You understand what I am talking about?
Just sound like a fairly self-responsible dog walker.
Good enough for me.
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Be careful on the "assistant" status of your co-worker. You may get ascribed to have "employer" responsibilities to/for someone who is not likely your statutory nor even common-law employee. This being a business forum, and all. You understand what I am talking about?
Sorry, I beg to differ. She is a private sector "maker" that pays her taxes quarterly and pays the salary's of the public sector city, county, state, and federal government employee's. The same government that makes it hard on the private sector by raising the taxes which causes her to pay more for groceries, utilities and other necessary consumables. IMO
Now she is going to be forced into Obamacare or pay a penality. I don't see how this government has her best interest at heart. AJMO
Yes, you don't want to be a business, your assistant is a partner.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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That can't be answered without more details. Do you have a business license, and pay state and local Business and occupation taxes as required by the law? Do you withhold income tax and social security from your helper, and pay into workman's compensation?
My assistant is not a "partner" in any way; only helps me out occasionally for cash.
Understood. Nothing you indicated pointed towards any sort of partnership. Some folks tend to make up total nonsense on here.
Back towards the bidness end of things here . . .
You need to watch about slipping over to employer status. BIG Deal.
IF you are in the path of cash -- and especially if your "assistant" is the end of the payment line -- it is not unreasonable for your assistant to be declared your "employee." Not saying that you would say so. Nor your assistant. But when it comes to employment status -- the words do not matter nearly as much as what can be shown or declared against you.
Some examples.
Assistant -- while "assisting" you -- slips and falls, hits head on sidewalk. Now in Coma. Who is going to get tagged for the medical bills? YOU. Because some clever (or even not so clever) lawyer is going to ask who is the assistant working for? If you do not have a very clear Sub-Contractor WRITTEN contract, you will be on the defense. Do you carry Worker's Comp?
Assistant gets audited. Or even their S.O. under a joint return. Either they are showing the income from you -- (If so and over $600 per year, have you filed the required 1099?) or if they are not showing the income and it is found, the IRS will look to you for with-holding and your portion of the Social Security filings.
We can go on and on with foreseeable examples -- a dog bites the assistant, or innocent (or not so innocent) passerby. Do you have liability insurance? Does it covers acts of your assistant -- whether sub-contractor or employee?
Lot more to business than throwing your arm out of join patting yourself on the back as maker, taker, faker or belly-aker.
It is mostly about being competent and responsible.
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