You might hear from coworkers or see job posts that say “1099 only” or “contractor status.” Sometimes that’s legitimate, but in many cases, people find out after the fact that being a 1099 contractor is very different — for better or worse.
Let’s explore what changes when you move from being a W2 employee to a 1099 contractor, the tax implications, and how common or risky this is in places like Washington.
What’s the Difference: W2 vs 1099
| Feature | W-2 Employee | 1099 Contractor / Independent Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Taxes withheld by employer (income tax, Social Security, Medicare) | Yes | No—you’re responsible for all tax withholding and estimation |
| Payroll taxes burden | Employer + Employee share for Social Security & Medicare, and employer pays unemployment etc. | You pay both sides (self-employment tax) and any business taxes on your own |
| Benefits & protections (health, paid leave, vacation, unemployment, workers’ comp etc.) | Usually included or available; more legal protections | Usually none (unless you set them up yourself); fewer protections under labor law |
| Control & flexibility | Employer defines schedule, tools, methods, etc. | More control over how & when you do work; you supply many tools; more business-like relationship |
| Deductible business expenses | Limited; unreimbursed expenses are often disallowed under W-2 status in many cases | More opportunity to deduct business expense: home office, equipment, travel, supplies, etc. |
Tax Implications of Being a 1099 Contractor
Moving to 1099 status means several shifts in your financial setup:
- Self-Employment Tax
You’re responsible for both the employer and employee portions of FICA (Social Security + Medicare). That’s about 15.3% total on net business income, not just on gross. Under W2, your employer pays half. - Quarterly Estimated Taxes
No one will withhold federal or state taxes automatically for you. Therefore, you’ll likely need to make estimated tax payments each quarter. Otherwise, penalties and interest could kick in. - Greater Deduction Opportunities
Contractors can usually deduct many business-related costs that W-2 employees can’t. Think home office, supplies, business travel, certain meals, some health insurance (if you qualify), etc. These can help reduce taxable income—but you must document them carefully. - No Employer Benefits
Things many people take for granted—employer-sponsored retirement matching, health insurance, unemployment insurance, paid leave—often go away. You either have to self-fund or arrange your own. - Recordkeeping and Accounting
More critical as a 1099: invoices, receipts, mileage logs, home office allocation, etc. If audited, you’ll need good records proving business use, separate accounts, etc. - Variability and Risk
Payment irregularity, lack of protections (job security, benefits), and sometimes more administrative overhead fall on you. Also, misclassification risks (if a company treats you like a W-2 employee but calls you a 1099) can lead to legal issues for both parties.
Washington State & Remote Work: What’s the Situation?
Washington doesn’t have a state income tax, which simplifies some parts of tax filing for both W-2 and 1099. But that doesn’t remove the complexity around payroll/contractor status.
Here are a few things particular to Washington:
- Misclassification is a real risk: Washington state law (including Dept. of Labor & Industries and Employment Security Department) has rules that can deem someone to be an employee even if they’re labeled a contractor or if the nature of the work matches more of a W2 relationship.
- Industries especially susceptible: gig economy, tech (remote work), transportation, construction are areas where contractors are common, but also where misclassification often occurs.
- Remote work complicates things: With remote work, many companies think “Oh, they’re remote so we’ll treat them like contractors.” That’s not enough under IRS or Washington law. What matters is control, degree of oversight, and how the relationship is structured. Remote doesn’t automatically equal 1099.
- Benefits of WA’s lack of state income tax are limited for contractors: you still have to handle unemployment insurance, state and federal payroll taxes, and potential business licensing if running as a sole proprietor or LLC.
What Life Looks Like After Switching from W2 to 1099
Here are real-life changes to expect (and plan for) if your job changes from W2 to 1099:
- You’ll get paid differently: no automatic withholdings. You’ll receive gross amounts and must allocate for your own taxes.
- Cash flow matters more: budget for slower periods, late payments, and quarterly tax due dates.
- You’ll probably need to build up reserves for taxes, health insurance, retirement, etc.
- Insurance, retirement, and benefits become your responsibility: unless the company provides contractor benefits, you usually have to self-manage.
- Greater flexibility; greater responsibility: more control over hours or approach, but also no guaranteed salary, stability, or set benefits.
- Documentation and contracts become more important: have strong written agreements, invoices, proof of expenses and business expenses.
Should You Agree to the Switch?
Here are some scenarios where going 1099 might make sense—and others where staying W-2 or insisting you be treated as a W-2 might be better:
When 1099 might be OK or even better:
- You’re doing project-based work, short-term assignments, or consulting.
- You have multiple clients, or expect you will.
- You have the financial discipline (or infrastructure) to manage taxes, benefits, and business expenses.
- You can deduct a lot of business expenses, so your taxable income is significantly reduced.
When you should push back or ask questions:
- The company wants you to follow a strict schedule, use their equipment, or be controlled like an employee, these are signs you should be W2.
- You want stability, benefits, and protections (residual, retirement, health, etc.).
- If misclassification is risky for your state (including penalties for both you and the employer).
- If you can’t or won’t manage the extra financial admin.
What to Do If You’re Unsure or Have Already Switched
- Get a second opinion from a tax pro or employment lawyer, preferably one versed in WA or your state’s laws.
- Review your contract and your actual working arrangement: hours, control, benefits, tools, etc. Do they look more like a W2?
- Estimate your tax burden carefully (including self-employment tax, quarterly payments, deductions) so you know what you’d owe.
- Ensure proper documentation (expense receipts, invoices, mileage, contracts) to protect yourself.
- Explore forming a business entity (LLC, S Corp) if that helps with taxes or liability—but be aware that it doesn’t automatically fix classification issues.
Switching from W2 to 1099 can offer more freedom and potential tax advantages, but also carries a lot more risk and responsibility. Washington State’s legal environment, especially with remote work, makes classification a nuanced issue, not something companies or contractors should take lightly.
If you’re considering such a switch (or it’s already happened), it’s worth sitting down with a trusted CPA or employment lawyer to map out the financial costs vs. benefits.
You deserve clarity, not just more paperwork or unexpected bills.