Michigan Property Manager Independent Contractor Rules 2026

The IRS, DOL, and Michigan labor board all apply different tests to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Property Managers who misclassify employees as contractors face back payroll taxes, penalties, unpaid workers' comp premiums, and potential class-action wage claims.

Misclassification is the #1 audit trigger

• Behavioral control: do you control how the work is done?
• Financial control: does the worker have unreimbursed business expenses?
• Type of relationship: is there a written contract? Benefits?
• State-specific ABC test may apply — often stricter than the IRS 20-factor test
• 1099 vs W-2 decision should be reviewed by a tax professional annually

What happens if you miss this?

Regulators in Michigan do not proactively warn businesses before enforcement. Fines, stop-work orders, license suspensions, and legal liability typically arrive without advance notice. Staying current is the only reliable protection.