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H.R.3396 / 115th Congress

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to change the classification of employers and employees for services providers.

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 25, 2017

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a test for determining if a service provider should be classified as an independent contractor rather than as an employee for tax purposes.

If the requirements of the test are met, the provider may not be treated as an employee, the recipient or any payor may not be treated as an employer, and compensation for the service may not be treated as paid or received with respect to employment.

The factors of the test include:

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the relationship between the parties (i.e., the provider incurs expenses or risks income fluctuations; does not work exclusively for a single recipient; performs the service for a particular amount of time, to achieve a specific result, or to complete a specific task; or is a sales person compensated primarily on a commission basis);

the place of business or ownership of the equipment (i.e., the provider has a principal place of business, which can be home or mobile-based, or bears financial responsibility for the equipment used to provide the service); and

the services are performed under a written contract that meets certain requirements (i.e., specifies that the provider is not an employee, the recipient will satisfy reporting requirements, and that the provider is responsible for taxes on the compensation).

The bill also sets forth: (1) reporting requirements for service recipients who meet the requirements of the test, and (2) procedures for the reclassification of employment status by the Internal Revenue Service.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3] · R–MN

Committees

  • Ways and Means Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Jan 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3396 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3396 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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