real estate

Independent contractor

One who is hired to carry out a certain task, but who is only subject to the control and direction of another individual with regard to the outcome of the task, and not the manner in which the task is carried out by that individual. An independent contractor, in contrast to an employee, is responsible for all of his or her own costs, including his or her own income and Social Security taxes, and does not get any employee benefits. Many persons who sell real estate work on their own as independent contractors.