Bill Text: NY A06793 | 2009-2010 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Amends the definition of "employee" to grant the department of taxation and finance the authority to determine the scope thereof and whether any such person may be an independent contractor; provides that undocumented workers residing in the state shall be subject to resident personal income taxation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-06-01 - held for consideration in labor [A06793 Detail]

Download: New_York-2009-A06793-Introduced.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         6793
                              2009-2010 Regular Sessions
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                    March 12, 2009
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  M.  of A. BALL, TOWNSEND, ERRIGO, MILLER, CALHOUN, McDO-
         NOUGH, GIGLIO -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. CROUCH, QUINN --  read
         once and referred to the Committee on Labor
       AN ACT to amend the tax law, the workers' compensation law and the labor
         law,  in  relation  to  classifications  of  employees;  and to repeal
         certain provisions of the workers' compensation law and the labor  law
         relating thereto
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. Section 170 of the tax law  is  amended  by  adding  a  new
    2  subdivision 9 to read as follows:
    3    9.  THE  DEPARTMENT  SHALL  PROMULGATE  AND REGULARLY UPDATE RULES AND
    4  REGULATIONS DEFINING AND ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING WHETH-
    5  ER A PERSON IS AN EMPLOYEE.
    6    (A) EMPLOYEE SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSON PERFORMING A SERVICE IF:
    7    (I) THE PERSON IS FREE FROM CONTROL AND DIRECTION IN  CONNECTION  WITH
    8  THE  PERFORMANCE  OF THE SERVICE, BOTH UNDER HIS OR HER CONTRACT FOR THE
    9  PERFORMANCE OF SERVICE AND IN FACT;
   10    (II) THE SERVICE IS PERFORMED OUTSIDE THE USUAL COURSE OF THE BUSINESS
   11  OF AN EMPLOYER; AND
   12    (III) THE PERSON IS CUSTOMARILY ENGAGED  IN  AN  INDEPENDENTLY  ESTAB-
   13  LISHED  TRADE,  OCCUPATION, PROFESSION OR BUSINESS OF THE SAME NATURE AS
   14  THAT INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE PERFORMED.
   15    (B) THE FAILURE TO WITHHOLD FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAXES, OR  TO  PAY
   16  UNEMPLOYMENT  COMPENSATION CONTRIBUTIONS OR WORKERS' COMPENSATION PREMI-
   17  UMS WITH RESPECT TO A PERSON'S WAGES SHALL BE  CONSIDERED  IN  MAKING  A
   18  DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   19    (C)  A PERSON'S EXERCISE OF THE OPTION TO SECURE WORKERS' COMPENSATION
   20  INSURANCE WITH A CARRIER AS A SOLE PROPRIETOR OR PARTNERSHIP  SHALL  NOT
   21  BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD10108-02-9
       A. 6793                             2
    1    S  2.  Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 2 of section 171-h of the
    2  tax law, as amended by chapter 398 of the laws of 1997, are  amended  to
    3  read as follows:
    4    (a)  (I) "employee" means an individual who is an employee [within the
    5  meaning of chapter twenty-four of the internal revenue code of 1986]  AS
    6  DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT, and does not include:
    7    (A)  an  employee of a federal or state agency performing intelligence
    8  or counterintelligence functions if the head of such agency  has  deter-
    9  mined  that  a  report made pursuant to this section with respect to the
   10  individual could endanger the safety of the employee  or  compromise  an
   11  ongoing investigation or intelligence mission; OR
   12    (B)(I)  ANY  INDIVIDUAL  WHO  IS  FREE  FROM  CONTROL AND DIRECTION IN
   13  CONNECTION WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF A SERVICE,  BOTH  UNDER  HIS  OR  HER
   14  CONTRACT FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF SERVICE OR IN FACT;
   15    (II)  THE SERVICE IS PERFORMED OUTSIDE OF THE USUAL COURSE OF BUSINESS
   16  OF THE EMPLOYER; AND
   17    (III) THE INDIVIDUAL IS CUSTOMARILY ENGAGED IN AN INDEPENDENTLY ESTAB-
   18  LISHED TRADE, OCCUPATION, PROFESSION OR BUSINESS OF THE SAME  NATURE  AS
   19  THAT INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE PERFORMED;
   20    (II)  THE FAILURE TO WITHHOLD FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAXES, OR TO PAY
   21  UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION CONTRIBUTIONS OR WORKERS' COMPENSATION  PREMI-
   22  UMS  WITH  RESPECT  TO  AN INDIVIDUAL'S WAGES SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN
   23  MAKING A DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH.
   24    (III) AN INDIVIDUAL'S  EXERCISE  OF  THE  OPTION  TO  SECURE  WORKERS'
   25  COMPENSATION  INSURANCE  WITH A CARRIER AS A SOLE PROPRIETOR OR PARTNER-
   26  SHIP SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO  THIS
   27  PARAGRAPH.
   28    (b) "employer" means an individual or entity [within the meaning given
   29  the  term employer in section three thousand four hundred one (d) of the
   30  internal revenue code of 1986] ENGAGED IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF ANY EMPLOYEE
   31  OR EMPLOYEES and includes:
   32    (i) any governmental entity, and
   33    (ii) any labor organization as defined  in  section  two  (5)  of  the
   34  national  labor  relations  act,  including  any entity (also known as a
   35  "hiring hall") which is used by such labor organization and an  employer
   36  to  carry  out the requirements described in section eight (f)(3) of the
   37  national labor relations act with respect  to  any  agreement  that  may
   38  exist between the labor organization and the employer.
   39    S  3. Section 611 of the tax law is amended by adding a new subsection
   40  (c) to read as follows:
   41    (C) UNDOCUMENTED WORKER. A PERSON NOR A RESIDENT OF THIS STATE  NOR  A
   42  NONRESIDENT,  AND CONSIDERED AN UNDOCUMENTED WORKER AS DETERMINED BY THE
   43  DEPARTMENT, EARNING INCOME IN THIS STATE, SHALL BE TAXED AS  A  RESIDENT
   44  PURSUANT  TO  THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE. SHOULD SUCH PERSON FAIL TO
   45  COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  EACH  EMPLOYER  WHO  PAID
   46  INCOME  TO  SUCH  UNDOCUMENTED WORKER SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLYING
   47  WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE IN THE PLACE AND STEAD OF THE UNDOC-
   48  UMENTED WORKER.
   49    S 4. Subsection (e) of section 697 of the tax law is amended by adding
   50  a new paragraph 3-b to read as follows:
   51    (3-B) NOTHING IN THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED  TO  PROHIBIT  THE
   52  DEPARTMENT,  ITS  EMPLOYEES  OR OFFICERS FROM REVIEWING THE WAGE PAYMENT
   53  RECORDS AND CONTRACTS OF ANY PERSON OR ENTITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF  DETER-
   54  MINING  THE  CLASSIFICATION  OF  ANY  INDIVIDUAL  AS AN EMPLOYEE OF SUCH
   55  PERSON OR EMPLOYER. ALL INFORMATION DERIVED FROM ANY SUCH REVIEW MAY  BE
   56  DISCLOSED  TO  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  LABOR  AND THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION
       A. 6793                             3
    1  BOARD, AND THEIR OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR  LAWFUL
    2  DUTIES.
    3    S  5.  Subdivision  4 of section 2 of the workers' compensation law is
    4  REPEALED and a new subdivision 4 is added to read as follows:
    5    4. "EMPLOYEE" MEANS A PERSON ENGAGED IN EMPLOYMENT IN ONE OF THE OCCU-
    6  PATIONS ENUMERATED IN SECTION THREE OF THIS ARTICLE OR ANY OTHER EMPLOY-
    7  MENT AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE.
    8    (A) SUCH TERM SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSON PERFORMING A SERVICE IF:
    9    (I) THE PERSON IS FREE FROM CONTROL AND DIRECTION IN  CONNECTION  WITH
   10  THE  PERFORMANCE  OF THE SERVICE, BOTH UNDER HIS OR HER CONTRACT FOR THE
   11  PERFORMANCE OF SERVICE AND IN FACT;
   12    (II) THE SERVICE IS PERFORMED OUTSIDE THE USUAL COURSE OF THE BUSINESS
   13  OF AN EMPLOYER; AND
   14    (III) THE PERSON IS CUSTOMARILY ENGAGED  IN  AN  INDEPENDENTLY  ESTAB-
   15  LISHED  TRADE,  OCCUPATION, PROFESSION OR BUSINESS OF THE SAME NATURE AS
   16  THAT INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE PERFORMED.
   17    (B) THE FAILURE TO WITHHOLD FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAXES, OR  TO  PAY
   18  UNEMPLOYMENT  COMPENSATION CONTRIBUTIONS OR WORKERS' COMPENSATION PREMI-
   19  UMS WITH RESPECT TO A PERSON'S WAGES SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A
   20  DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   21    (C) A PERSON'S EXERCISE OF THE OPTION TO SECURE WORKERS'  COMPENSATION
   22  INSURANCE  WITH  A CARRIER AS A SOLE PROPRIETOR OR PARTNERSHIP SHALL NOT
   23  BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   24    S 6. Subdivision 5 of section 201 of the workers' compensation law  is
   25  REPEALED and a new subdivision 5 is added to read as follows:
   26    5.  "EMPLOYEE"  MEANS A PERSON ENGAGED IN ANY EMPLOYMENT AS DETERMINED
   27  BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE.
   28    (A) SUCH TERM SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSON PERFORMING A SERVICE IF:
   29    (I) THE PERSON IS FREE FROM CONTROL AND DIRECTION IN  CONNECTION  WITH
   30  THE  PERFORMANCE  OF THE SERVICE, BOTH UNDER HIS OR HER CONTRACT FOR THE
   31  PERFORMANCE OF SERVICE AND IN FACT;
   32    (II) THE SERVICE IS PERFORMED OUTSIDE THE USUAL COURSE OF THE BUSINESS
   33  OF AN EMPLOYER; AND
   34    (III) THE PERSON IS CUSTOMARILY ENGAGED  IN  AN  INDEPENDENTLY  ESTAB-
   35  LISHED  TRADE,  OCCUPATION, PROFESSION OR BUSINESS OF THE SAME NATURE AS
   36  THAT INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE PERFORMED.
   37    (B) THE FAILURE TO WITHHOLD FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAXES, OR  TO  PAY
   38  UNEMPLOYMENT  COMPENSATION CONTRIBUTIONS OR WORKERS' COMPENSATION PREMI-
   39  UMS WITH RESPECT TO A PERSON'S WAGES SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A
   40  DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   41    (C) A PERSON'S EXERCISE OF THE OPTION TO SECURE WORKERS'  COMPENSATION
   42  INSURANCE  WITH  A CARRIER AS A SOLE PROPRIETOR OR PARTNERSHIP SHALL NOT
   43  BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   44    S 7. Subdivision 5 of section 2 of the labor law is amended to read as
   45  follows:
   46    5. "Employee" means a mechanic,  workingman  or  laborer  working  for
   47  another  for  hire  AS  DETERMINED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF TAXATION AND
   48  FINANCE.
   49    (A) SUCH TERM SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSON PERFORMING A SERVICE IF:
   50    (I) THE PERSON IS FREE FROM CONTROL AND DIRECTION IN  CONNECTION  WITH
   51  THE  PERFORMANCE  OF THE SERVICE, BOTH UNDER HIS OR HER CONTRACT FOR THE
   52  PERFORMANCE OF SERVICE AND IN FACT;
   53    (II) THE SERVICE IS PERFORMED OUTSIDE THE USUAL COURSE OF THE BUSINESS
   54  OF AN EMPLOYER; AND
       A. 6793                             4
    1    (III) THE PERSON IS CUSTOMARILY ENGAGED  IN  AN  INDEPENDENTLY  ESTAB-
    2  LISHED  TRADE,  OCCUPATION, PROFESSION OR BUSINESS OF THE SAME NATURE AS
    3  THAT INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE PERFORMED.
    4    (B)  THE  FAILURE TO WITHHOLD FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAXES, OR TO PAY
    5  UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION CONTRIBUTIONS OR WORKERS' COMPENSATION  PREMI-
    6  UMS WITH RESPECT TO A PERSON'S WAGES SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A
    7  DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
    8    (C)  A PERSON'S EXERCISE OF THE OPTION TO SECURE WORKERS' COMPENSATION
    9  INSURANCE WITH A CARRIER AS A SOLE PROPRIETOR OR PARTNERSHIP  SHALL  NOT
   10  BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   11    S  8. Subdivision 2 of section 190 of the labor law, as added by chap-
   12  ter 548 of the laws of 1966, is amended to read as follows:
   13    2. "Employee" means any person employed for hire by an employer in any
   14  employment AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE.
   15    (A) SUCH TERM SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSON PERFORMING A SERVICE IF:
   16    (I) THE PERSON IS FREE FROM CONTROL AND DIRECTION IN  CONNECTION  WITH
   17  THE  PERFORMANCE  OF THE SERVICE, BOTH UNDER HIS OR HER CONTRACT FOR THE
   18  PERFORMANCE OF SERVICE AND IN FACT;
   19    (II) THE SERVICE IS PERFORMED OUTSIDE THE USUAL COURSE OF THE BUSINESS
   20  OF AN EMPLOYER; AND
   21    (III) THE PERSON IS CUSTOMARILY ENGAGED  IN  AN  INDEPENDENTLY  ESTAB-
   22  LISHED  TRADE,  OCCUPATION, PROFESSION OR BUSINESS OF THE SAME NATURE AS
   23  THAT INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE PERFORMED.
   24    (B) THE FAILURE TO WITHHOLD FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAXES, OR  TO  PAY
   25  UNEMPLOYMENT  COMPENSATION CONTRIBUTIONS OR WORKERS' COMPENSATION PREMI-
   26  UMS WITH RESPECT TO A PERSON'S WAGES SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A
   27  DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   28    (C) A PERSON'S EXERCISE OF THE OPTION TO SECURE WORKERS'  COMPENSATION
   29  INSURANCE  WITH  A CARRIER AS A SOLE PROPRIETOR OR PARTNERSHIP SHALL NOT
   30  BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   31    S 9. Section 511 of the labor law is amended by adding a new  subdivi-
   32  sion 23 to read as follows:
   33    23.  (A)  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS SECTION, EMPLOY-
   34  MENT SHALL BE  DEFINED  BY  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  TAXATION  AND  FINANCE.
   35  EMPLOYMENT SHALL NOT INCLUDE WORK BY ANY PERSON PERFORMING A SERVICE IF:
   36    (I)  THE  PERSON IS FREE FROM CONTROL AND DIRECTION IN CONNECTION WITH
   37  THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SERVICE, BOTH UNDER HIS OR HER CONTRACT  FOR  THE
   38  PERFORMANCE OF THE SERVICE AND IN FACT;
   39    (II) THE SERVICE IS PERFORMED OUTSIDE THE USUAL COURSE OF THE BUSINESS
   40  OF AN EMPLOYER; AND
   41    (III)  THE  PERSON  IS  CUSTOMARILY ENGAGED IN AN INDEPENDENTLY ESTAB-
   42  LISHED TRADE, OCCUPATION, PROFESSION OR BUSINESS OF THE SAME  NATURE  AS
   43  THAT INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE PERFORMED.
   44    (B)  THE  FAILURE TO WITHHOLD FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAXES, OR TO PAY
   45  UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION CONTRIBUTIONS OR WORKERS' COMPENSATION  PREMI-
   46  UMS WITH RESPECT TO A PERSON'S WAGES SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A
   47  DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   48    (C)  A PERSON'S EXERCISE OF THE OPTION TO SECURE WORKERS' COMPENSATION
   49  INSURANCE WITH A CARRIER AS A SOLE PROPRIETOR OR PARTNERSHIP  SHALL  NOT
   50  BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   51    S  10. Subdivision 5 of section 651 of the labor law is REPEALED and a
   52  new subdivision 5 is added to read as follows:
   53    5. "EMPLOYEE" MEANS A PERSON ENGAGED IN ANY EMPLOYMENT  AS  DETERMINED
   54  BY THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE.
   55    (A) SUCH TERM SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSON PERFORMING A SERVICE IF:
       A. 6793                             5
    1    (I)  THE  PERSON IS FREE FROM CONTROL AND DIRECTION IN CONNECTION WITH
    2  THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SERVICE, BOTH UNDER HIS OR HER CONTRACT  FOR  THE
    3  PERFORMANCE OF SERVICE AND IN FACT;
    4    (II) THE SERVICE IS PERFORMED OUTSIDE THE USUAL COURSE OF THE BUSINESS
    5  OF AN EMPLOYER; AND
    6    (III)  THE  PERSON  IS  CUSTOMARILY ENGAGED IN AN INDEPENDENTLY ESTAB-
    7  LISHED TRADE, OCCUPATION, PROFESSION OR BUSINESS OF THE SAME  NATURE  AS
    8  THAT INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE PERFORMED.
    9    (B)  THE  FAILURE  TO WITHHOLD FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAXES OR TO PAY
   10  UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION CONTRIBUTIONS OR WORKERS' COMPENSATION  PREMI-
   11  UMS WITH RESPECT TO A PERSON'S WAGES SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A
   12  DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   13    (C)  A PERSON'S EXERCISE OF THE OPTION TO SECURE WORKERS' COMPENSATION
   14  INSURANCE WITH A CARRIER AS A SOLE PROPRIETOR OR PARTNERSHIP  SHALL  NOT
   15  BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   16    S 11. Subdivision 2 of section 671 of the labor law, as added by chap-
   17  ter 552 of the laws of 1969, is amended to read as follows:
   18    2.  (A)  "Employee"  includes  any individual employed or permitted to
   19  work by an employer on a farm AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXA-
   20  TION AND FINANCE but shall not include: [(a)] (I)  domestic  service  in
   21  the  home of the employer; [(b)] (II) the parent, spouse, child or other
   22  member of the employer's immediate family; [(c)]  (III)  a  minor  under
   23  seventeen  years  of  age  employed as a hand harvest worker on the same
   24  farm as his parent or guardian and who is paid on a piece-rate basis  at
   25  the  same  piece rate as employees seventeen years of age or over; [(d)]
   26  (IV) an individual employed or permitted to work for a  federal,  state,
   27  or a municipal government or political subdivision thereof; or [(e)] (V)
   28  an individual to whom the provisions of article nineteen of this chapter
   29  are applicable.
   30    (B) SUCH TERM SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSON PERFORMING A SERVICE IF:
   31    (I)  THE  PERSON IS FREE FROM CONTROL AND DIRECTION IN CONNECTION WITH
   32  THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SERVICE, BOTH UNDER HIS OR HER CONTRACT  FOR  THE
   33  PERFORMANCE OF SERVICE AND IN FACT;
   34    (II) THE SERVICE IS PERFORMED OUTSIDE OF THE USUAL COURSE OF THE BUSI-
   35  NESS OF AN EMPLOYER; AND
   36    (III)  THE  PERSON  IS  CUSTOMARILY ENGAGED IN AN INDEPENDENTLY ESTAB-
   37  LISHED TRADE, OCCUPATION, PROFESSION OR BUSINESS OF THE SAME  NATURE  AS
   38  THAT INVOLVED IN THE SERVICE PERFORMED.
   39    (C)  THE  FAILURE TO WITHHOLD FEDERAL OR STATE INCOME TAXES, OR TO PAY
   40  UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION CONTRIBUTIONS OR WORKERS' COMPENSATION  PREMI-
   41  UMS WITH RESPECT TO A PERSON'S WAGES SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A
   42  DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   43    (D)  A PERSON'S EXERCISE OF THE OPTION TO SECURE WORKERS' COMPENSATION
   44  INSURANCE WITH A CARRIER AS A SOLE PROPRIETOR OR PARTNERSHIP  SHALL  NOT
   45  BE CONSIDERED IN MAKING A DETERMINATION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION.
   46    S 12. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
   47  ing  the date on which it shall have become a law; provided that, effec-
   48  tive immediately, any rules and regulations necessary to  implement  the
   49  provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed
   50  to be completed on or before such date.
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