Is this Situation 1099 or W-2?

somarco

GA Medicare Expert
5000 Post Club
36,602
Atlanta
If a General Agent provides office space, phones, leads, etc for his/her licensed agents, are they W-2 or 1099?

What if the GA is the writing agent of record, takes a cut of the agent comp, collects bonus and trips earned by the phone room agent? Does that change the agent status (1099 vs W-2)?

When I started in the business my GA was a carrier employee. Office space, etc was paid for by the carrier. The difference was he was not the WA, I was. Any trips, bonuses, etc were mine, not his.
 
I've always been told that if a person is told where to be and when to be there, has set hours, set pay, etc, they should be W-2.
 
That is my understanding as well, Todd.

Under the "old" agency system the only time I was required to be in the office was for meetings. Beyond that, I could come and go as I please.

"Leads" consisted of a Criss-Cross Directory, a desk in the bullpen and a rotary dial phone.

Straight commission, although there was a financed arrangement where I was paid a nominal amount each month that had to be validated to get paid the following month.

But I was the writing agent, not the GA.

It is my understanding there are agents today, working in offices where they take the application but the GA is listed as the WA. The GA is invited to award ceremonies, presented plaques and goes on fancy trips.

He takes the kudo's while the grunts do the heavy lifting.
 
Can't say how much control is exhibited, Kirby. Just seems like all is not kosher in the situation.
 
Can't say how much control is exhibited, Kirby. Just seems like all is not kosher in the situation.

That is the other part of the puzzle. Although, considering what all he is providing and you mentioning it is a phone room, I expect the GA has a lot of control. So probably should be W-2.

I can't imagine a GA providing all that, particularly in a phone room, and not exercising complete control.
 
Here's my crappy answer...

Carpe Diem

If you choose to sign a contract where you do all the work and the bosses name is what appears on your apps, then tough. They aren't slaves, right? No one held a gun to their head and made them sign on the dotted line?

Suck it up, buttercup
 
Kirby, inbound calls. No smile and dial.

Jen, I hear you.

Gotcha. I still say probably W-2. The one I mentioned to you via PM is a very similar set up and I believe the people would probably be ruled W-2 should the IRS or State DOL ever find out. They receive inbound calls or transfers all day and are effectively chained to the desk and phone.
 
Back
Top