Is Part-Time or Contract Work A Smarter Way To Make More Money?

So you’ve been bitten by the side hustle bug. You’re not alone. Experts estimate that nearly 44 million Americans have a side hustle and nearly half of all millennials side hustle. But when it comes to secondary streams of income, not all jobs are the same.

Some people might work as part-time employees, while others will decide to be independent contractors. The type of job you have can impact your work situation, your income, and your taxes. So which path do you choose?

Which One Is It?

Before you can decide which type of job is right for you, it is important to understand the difference between part-time employment and contract work. Part-time workers fit the traditional work model. You are likely a part-time worker if these criteria apply to your situation.

1. You have a supervisor.
2. You have a single place of employment.
3. You have a specific role and likely received at least some training for it.
4. You complete your work using workplace materials.
5. You receive a W-2 at tax time.

Independent contractors resemble part-time employees at first glance. In fact, some independent contractor positions appear so similar to traditional part-time work, it is not unheard of for contractors to not realize the difference initially. Independent contractors might also go by the titles of freelancers or consultants. If these criteria apply to your position, you are likely to be an independent contractor.

1. You set your own schedule and your role.
2. You provide services for multiple companies or individuals.
3. You might perform different tasks
4. You use your own materials (i.e. laptop, printer, etc.).
5. You receive a 1099 at tax time.

Once you have a clearer understanding of the type of side hustle you are contemplating — either as a part-time worker or an independent contractor — you will want to make sure you have an understanding of the differences come tax time. You will also want to explore the various benefits of both types of work to determine the best fit.

Tax-Time Differences Between Part-time and Contract Work

While you may not be particularly concerned about your title, someone is and that someone is the IRS. The way in which taxes are collected depends on the type of work you do. As a part-time employee, you will have federal and state taxes taken out of your paycheck each pay period by your employer, as well as other withholdings like Social Security and Medicare. Then, you will receive a W-2 form from your employer at tax time as verification of what you earned and what you paid in taxes. ‘

An independent contractor, on the other hand, can face a more complicated tax situation. Though you may pay processing fees from Paypal or similar payment systems, you are not paying taxes when you receive your income. Instead, you will receive a 1099 form from each individual or company you held a contract with throughout the year if you earned $600 or more.

If you did not earn $600 or more, you will still have to report the earnings but will not receive a 1099. In addition to filing taxes at tax time, many independent contractors who start to earn a significant side income have to file self-employment taxes quarterly to avoid fines come tax time.

The general rule of thumb is that if you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes, then you will want to file quarterly. In addition to navigating self-employment taxes, you will also want to explore the various deductions you may be eligible for as an independent contractor.

The Benefits of Part-Time Work

Part-time work can be an opportune way for you to explore your hobbies, talents, or passions while working for an established company or organization. The added stability can be a great benefit to someone who is looking to earn extra income without putting in additional time following leads, networking, and building a client base. There is also very little required of part-time workers in terms of start-up costs since most companies will supply materials and perform their own training.

Another benefit of part-time work that is sometimes overlooked involves benefits. It is true that many part-time jobs do not come with benefits like retirement packages or health insurance. But some offer more benefits than you may realize, which is why it is so important to ask about everything from employee discounts and paid time off to health care and educational assistance.

More so, should your schedule permit and your workplace offer the opportunity, part-time jobs can be scaled into full-time positions that do provide complete benefits packages. While this may not translate into a raise, benefits can be invaluable.

The Drawbacks of Part-Time Work

Part-time work isn’t perfect, though. Just like any traditional full-time work, you may find yourself with a supervisor who doesn’t share the same philosophy as you. Your roles and responsibilities are predetermined, leaving little room for you to choose your focus or cultivate entrepreneurship.

Depending on the work, the pay can be low, at least initially as well. Part-time work can also be unsteady in the sense that many part-time positions are seasonal or come with large swings in the hours that are available to each employee.

The Benefits of Contract Work

Side hustling as an independent contractor comes with many benefits as well. This type of side hustle is ideal for someone who craves flexibility and independence. As an independent contractor, you are able to set your own hours, determine your tasks, and walk away from opportunities that don’t suit you.

You may also have more room for income growth as an independent contractor, especially if you choose a more lucrative field like something related to technology or if you cultivate a niche where there isn’t much competition.

Make An Independent Contractor Form

It also comes with the added benefit of scalability. While it may not be possible for everyone who side hustles, there are certainly individuals who have scaled their side hustles to the point that they were able to turn them into full-time businesses.

The Drawbacks of Contract Work

Of course, working as an independent contractor is not without its drawbacks. Getting started and building a client base can be overwhelming. Additionally, there can be considerable expenses upfront, including purchasing materials and software as well as enrolling in a course to learn new skills.

Even though most part-time jobs don’t offer large employee compensation packages, contractors rarely get any benefits. Work can also be unstable and unreliable, at least initially. While many independent contractors set out determined to make headlines with their income, it isn’t unusual for the first few months or even year to net a loss until you are established.

Contractors can also face serious burnout even when they find success. You may take on too much work always trying to grow your business. Without turning down some jobs, recognizing being over-committed, or hiring help when you need to, you may turn out poor quality work or your full-time job, family life, and health may suffer.

Final Thoughts on Choosing a Side Gig

You are ready to try your hand at a side gig. For some people that means securing a part-time job, while others will set out to work as an independent contractor. There is no one right way to build a second income stream.

Understanding the differences between part-time and contract work, as well as the tax implications and the benefits and drawbacks, can help you make the best decision for your particular situation and interests.

Article written by Penny

Originally published at womenwhomoney.com on June 5, 2018.