Washington Employment Security Department & Department of Labor and Industries Issues
Explains how the Washington Employment Security Department and Department of Labor and Industries scrutinize worker classification and the risk of misclassifying employees as contractors.
Washington Employment Tax Lawyer
The Washington Employment Security Department and the Washington Department of Labor and Industries keep close tabs on how employers classify workers. It is important to understand that these and other state agencies use stricter guidelines than the IRS, particularly for employee versus independent contractor status. Businesses that have incorrectly classified employees as contractors run the risk of being held accountable for back employment taxes, interest and penalties.
The Bellevue, Washington, law firm of Lana Kurilova Rich PLLC provides representation to businesses in the Greater Seattle area, statewide and nationwide. Whether you want to take proactive steps to ensure that employees are classified correctly, or you have received notice of an audit, call our Seattle, Washington, employment tax attorney at (425) 289-0629 for an initial phone consultation. You can also contact us by e-mail .
It's More Than Just a Matter of Employment Taxes, Assistance From Our Seattle Employment Security Department Attorney
State law outlines a six-part (seven-part for contractors) test that is used to determine whether a worker is a contractor or an employee, and all six (or seven) parts must be satisfied in order to establish the independent contractor's status. That test includes, for example, whether or not the worker registered as a business with the state. If not, that worker is an employee, not an independent contractor. While a worker may be an independent contractor as far as the IRS is concerned, that worker may not be a contractor in the state's eyes. We will take great care to see that your workers are classified appropriately, and we will represent you in audits with the state.
If it is found that employees have been incorrectly classified as contractors, the Department of Labor and Industry will seek payments for industrial insurance premiums, with interest and penalties. The Employment Security Department will seek payments for unemployment insurance premiums, likewise with interest and penalties.
Issues with the Employment Security Department are often prompted by a contractor seeking unemployment. If truly a contractor, that person will not be able to get unemployment. If the Employment Security Department determines the contractor was actually an employee, unemployment will be paid and the employer will be held accountable for those payments.
Call (425) 289-0629 for an Initial Phone Consultation for a Lawyer Experienced With Washington Department of Labor and Industries Issues
We invite you to contact us today by phone or by e-mail to discuss your case with our experienced Seattle employment security department lawyer. Find out how we can help.
About Attorney Lana Kurilova Rich
- Washington tax attorney since 2003: Lana Kurilova Rich has been admitted to the Washington State Bar since 2003 and has focused her practice on tax law since opening Lana Kurilova Rich, PLLC the same year.
- Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.): Lana earned her LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law in 2007 in addition to her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law in 2003.
- Former Court of Appeals law clerk: Lana served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Elaine Houghton of the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II.
- Bilingual: English and Russian: Born and raised in Russia, Lana is fluent in Russian and licensed to practice law in the Russian Federation in addition to Washington State.
- Federal, state, and international scope: Lana represents clients before the IRS, Washington State agencies (DOR, ESD, and L&I), and on cross-border tax matters including FBAR and Form 8938 compliance.
- Direct attorney communication: Clients work directly with Lana Kurilova Rich, not a routing desk. Calls and emails are returned promptly throughout the engagement.
- Pro bono Low Income Taxpayer Clinic: Lana has volunteered with the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic since 2006, helping qualifying taxpayers resolve IRS disputes at no cost.
- Integrated tax preparation and bookkeeping: The firm provides federal and state tax preparation alongside legal representation, reducing handoffs and accelerating resolution.
We invite you to contact our Bellevue, Washington, law office today by phone or by e-mail to discuss your case with our experienced tax lawyer. We are here to help.