Trec Independent Contractor Agreement
TAR 2301 Independent Contractor Agreement for Sales Associate is designed as an association agreement when the agent is an independent contractor with the brokerage distribution partner. State laws relating to the classification of workers and real estate licenses differ with regard to determining the correct classification of real estate licensees. Some states explicitly recognize real estate licensees as independent contractors when certain conditions are met, and others are silent about real estate licensees, so courts must apply the applicable test to determine the correct classification. That`s why it`s essential for real estate professionals to know the laws regarding the classification of workers in their states. No, if the independent contractor completes all three elements of the IRS-Carve-Out. The IRS recognizes the uniqueness of the real estate sector and has created a legal status of self-employed for real estate professionals, provided that three elements are met: 1) The person is a licensed real estate professional; (2) the bulk of their payments are directly linked to turnover or any other production and not to the number of hours worked; and (3) their services are provided under a written contract that they are not treated as workers for federal tax purposes. If these three elements are met, no federal income tax is to be withheld on the income of the real estate expert. Under many state and federal laws, the “mandatory” publication of certain acts can be seen as an indication of employer-style control over the worker. One of the characteristics of an independent contractor relationship is that the independent contractor has the ability to control where, when and how it performs its work. An agreement with an independent contractor is a very important element in setting up an independent contractor relationship with a real estate seller, but the existence of an agreement is not enough to avoid misclassification. Courts and supervisors will look at the reality of the relationship, how the parties have interfered and the control exercised by a broker over the real estate seller in order to determine the true nature of the relationship between the parties. The provision of work benefits such as health insurance, holiday pay and 401,000 contributions may be a factor that may indicate an employer-employee relationship and not that of an independent contractor.
The granting of such benefits may undermine the argument that the relationship with the worker is that of a self-employed contractor. A broker may require sellers to be members of the REALTORS® association, as this indicates to the broker the commitment of commercial agents in the real estate profession and for high ethical standards of practice. REALTOR® membership is a criterion that a broker may voluntarily require from independent contractors. The payment of contributions belonging to the realtor® association is simply a cost to obtain the “registration information” necessary to be associated with a broker who considers this criterion important. No, the qualification of an independent legal holder under IRS rules only applies to federal income taxes. Whether State income taxes should be withheld from the income of a real estate professional is a matter of national law. Brokers should review the existing national legislation under which they operate….
