tech-company, legal, intellectual-property, taxes, softwareLooking for a fresh look at how to source, staff, and manage tasks on a short-term basis, without long-term liabilities such as payroll.
In an attempt to limit the scope of the question, I’m looking for coders that are able to write custom code remotely with well defined acceptance tests.
A good answer, per possible solution, will cover how issues related to taxes, legal agreements, and IP might be addressed.
(Please note that if you haven’t sourced at least 2000 hours in a way that relates to this answer, then it very possible you lack the experience to provide advice of this topic.)
Hire them on a (sub)-contract basis. You'll need either a combined agreement or to use a few agreements:
This is a fairly complicated agreement/collection of agreements; most people should at least have a lawyer review their proposed agreements (cheaper) or have a lawyer draw up the agreement. Even with an agreement in some jurisdictions you may be liable for insurance or other requirements; for example for construction (due to being a high risk industry) work in British Colombia (Canada) if you are subcontracting you are required to ensure that your subs are paying Workers Compensation or pay Workers Compensation yourself and deduct it from their pay. Most provinces/states have a business information service that can give you basic information like that for free as is relevant to your jurisdiction.
In terms of payroll type taxes you have no liability as long as it is explicitly stated in your agreement that they are working on a contract-basis and for good measure add in something like "the contractor is responsible for all taxes on the income from this contract".
Another option is to go through a freelancer agency (or similar) that you pay the agency and they may already have a pretty good contract.
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