The Dangers of Independent Contractor Travel Agent Misclassification

April 28, 2022
The Dangers of Independent Contractor Travel Agent Misclassification

You may not think of this as important when vetting out your host agencies, but making sure the host agency follows the independent contractor rules of the government is as important of a question as how much it costs to join or what the commission split is. Being an independent contractor travel agent versus an employee is an important distinction.

Why Should Misclassification Concern You?

If the host agency is audited and found to have misclassified their independent contractor travel agents, the fines and back-taxes add up to a huge price tag. It's not pretty. A New York Times article profiled a company that misclassed 18 workers and received a $328,500 penalty bill. Most host agencies have more than 18 home based agents working under them. Catch my drift? A host agency that isn't protecting themselves from misclassification could easily go bankrupt with fines this high.

Increased Audits

The government loses millions of dollars in taxes from misclassified workers. Since the government has continued to see record deficits, there has been a crackdown on independent contractor classification.

Independent Contractor Classification

I wish I could tell you independent contractor classification is cut and dry, but it's murky waters. Not only is there is room for interpretation in the existing independent contractor laws, but these laws vary by state, which is to mention nothing of the federal government's independent contractor laws. Your host agency should be well-versed in how to protect themselves and their agent network, so don't be afraid to ask. In this case, knowledge is power. Being aware that this is even an issue and properly screening your host agency is the first step. The next step is to avoid any pitfalls by looking for major red flags. Be aware that you may not be an independent contractor if the host agency:

  1. Requires you work certain hours
  2. Requires you to work from a certain location
  3. Requires you work in a certain way
  4. Gives you benefits

Making sure your host agency has a written contract indicating that you are an independent contractor and which outlines your responsibilities is another important consideration for an agent. Check out our article on things to look for in your contract with your host agency!

Summary

In the end, I'm not an expert in independent contractor travel agent classification. If you have doubts about your classification, ask your host agency for more information or contact a travel industry attorney.


Sources

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



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About the Author
Steph Lee - Host Agency Reviews

Steph Lee

Steph grew up in the travel industry. She worked with thousands of agents in her role as a former host agency director before leaving in 2012 to start HAR. She's insatiably curious, loves her pups Fennec and Orion, and -- in case you haven't noticed -- is pretty quirky and free-spirited.

If you’re looking for Steph, she leaves a trace where ever she goes! You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest as 'iamstephly'. 🙂 She doesn't do TikTok as no one would ever see her again.