Nurse Registry...Taxes/Benefits?

[ErinRose]

So I am employed by a hospice nursing registry and am confused. The HR manager is out of the office until Monday so I'm trying to see if I can get an answer here.

So when they hired me they told me I would be self employed technically because it is a registry. Okay, so I'm expecting to have to do 1099 and all that jazz for my taxes. Well I picked up my first check today and taxes were withheld...color me confused. If I was self employed, taxes wouldn't be withheld right?

Also, I'm wondering how benefits work in with all of this. If I am an employee (aeb them withholding taxes), and I work full time, don't they have to offer benefits? Or no because I am not guaranteed full time? I'm so confused right now... ANY help would be appreciated with this. I am unfamiliar with nurse registries so I wanted to know others experiences with this.

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1779.pdf

best you check with an accountant, but usually this will cost you more.

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

I would definitely clear this up with HR.

[notmanydaysoff]

If I am an employee (aeb them withholding taxes), and I work full time, don't they have to offer benefits?

The IRS has a list of criteria that is used to distinguish IC status from employee status. That they are withholding taxes is one of the biggest indicators that you are an employee. If they tell you where to go, when to go, what to wear, how to report, etc., those are significant factors and weigh heavily in the event of a court case. Check here:

Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) or Employee?

As for them having to offer you benefits because you work full-time, depends on the contract you signed when hired. I worked as a per diem in the float pool for 16 mos. until a permanent FT position became available. Many wks I worked 40+ hrs. I didn't receive any benefits, instead I was paid an "in lieu" differential of 10%.

More and more companies are hiring on casual, PT, per diem employee basis. Benefit pkgs that include health, retirement, vacation, sick leave, and other goodies, can run 20% to 30% (or more) of the salary. Benefits are expensive and should be considered as part of the total compensation pkg.