Independent Contractor vs. Employee (How to decide?)

Most employers “prefer” to classify the people they pay for services performed for the business as INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS to avoid paying payroll taxes, worker’s compensation, and/or some employee benefits they would have to otherwise pay of they classify them as employees instead.  It is also much easier to just pay them regular checks rather than paychecks with tax withholdings, etc… However, this is not really a choice or preference.  There are strict rules that most be followed in order to make sure this can be done.

SOURCE: https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Independent-Contractor-Self-Employed-or-Employee