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Guides
Short, sourced explainers for one-person trade businesses hiring their first employee. Every figure is tied to a public official or primary source, or we say so when we could not verify it.
Costs
How much does it cost to hire your first employee as a plumber?
Worked Indiana example at $20/hour.
IndianaDo I need workers' comp for one employee in Indiana?
Statute, Board guidance, and advisory rates.
PayrollGusto vs Paychex for small contractors
What each company publishes — and what it does not.
Classification1099 vs W-2: hiring a helper
IRS common-law rules and the DOL test.
ChecklistFirst employee checklist for trade businesses
Federal and typical state steps in order.
IndianaIndiana first employee checklist (state registrations)
Withholding, SUTA, new-hire reporting, posters.
PayrollHow to run payroll for one employee
FICA, FUTA, SUTA, and the main IRS forms.
InsuranceWhat is workers' comp class code 5183?
Indiana ICRB advisory pricing for plumbing.