TE
TechEcho
Home24h TopNewestBestAskShowJobs
GitHubTwitter
Home

TechEcho

A tech news platform built with Next.js, providing global tech news and discussions.

GitHubTwitter

Home

HomeNewestBestAskShowJobs

Resources

HackerNews APIOriginal HackerNewsNext.js

© 2025 TechEcho. All rights reserved.

Ask HN: How much more would you need to make to be worth being a 1099?

1 pointsby amflarealmost 3 years ago
Ignoring for a moment the extra costs of being 1099 (which are easily calculated), how much is the additional hassle of being a 1099 rather than a W2 worth to you? $1000 in take-home? $2000? $5000? More?

4 comments

m348e912almost 3 years ago
I look at it this way, when you 1099 yourself you represent yourself as a mini business to your employer. You&#x27;re responsible for the overhead and risk of that business. That additional cost and risk could easily could represent 2x what a standard salary rate would be for the same position.<p>Keep in mind contractors can&#x27;t be expected to be employed consistently, so they have to bake in additional income to tie them over between jobs, or handle the possibility of being unexpectedly terminated. They&#x27;re trading additional income for added risk and uncertainty.
EddieDantealmost 3 years ago
I&#x27;d want <i>double</i> to cover the cost of getting my own health coverage, my own life insurance, and to deal with tax complications that come with being a 1099 and not a W-2 employee.<p>And I&#x27;d also want contractually guaranteed time and a half for overtime.
Bostonianalmost 3 years ago
There is a benefit to 1099 income that you did not mention -- when my physician wife gets 1099 income she is able to contribute more to a SEP-IRA than when the same income comes with a W-2.
sharemywinalmost 3 years ago
Insurance benefits are the major difference usually. also, does your employer expect extra hours for being salaried?<p>but you could be the first to be cut if your 1099.