Before you post the job

W-2 or 1099? Know before you hire.

Paste the job spec, pick the state, answer five yes/no questions. Get a one-page report with our classification call, how confident we are, the risk if you get it wrong, and exactly why.

$200 per roleReport in minutesAll 50 states + DC
Check a roleSee a sample report
A sample one-page SpecWise report for a Customer Success Associate in Austin, Texas. It concludes: classify as a W-2 employee, high confidence, high risk if paid on a 1099.
What a wrong call costs

One misclassified role. Three years later.

People in this role
Pay per person, per year
Back payroll taxes the IRS could assess
$160,000
5 people × $100K a year × 3 years, at roughly 10.7% of pay. And that's the starting point.
  • 2–3× more if the IRS decides it was intentional
  • +$5,000–$15,000 per violation in California if willful
  • + interest, unpaid overtime, state unemployment and workers' comp
Check your role before you hire
Free preliminary read

See which way your role leans

Answer the questions and we'll show you a preliminary read right here. The full report adds the tests that apply in your state, the factor-by-factor reasoning, and what would change the answer.

A few quick questions
Answer all five questions to see your preliminary read.
Full view of the sample SpecWise report.
What you get

One page. A clear answer. The reasons behind it.

1

Our classification call

W-2 or 1099, stated plainly, for the state where the work happens.

2

Confidence and risk

How sure we are, and how exposed you'd be if you paid this role on a 1099.

3

The tests that apply

Federal and state, named, so your accountant or attorney can check our work.

4

Factor-by-factor reasoning

Each factor auditors weigh, what your spec shows, and which way it points.

5

What would change the answer

If you want a contractor, the specific changes to scope, pay and control that would get you there, or why they won't.

6

A dated PDF for your files

Keep it with the offer letter or contract. Hand it to a buyer or auditor if they ask.

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Who uses SpecWise

Founders and hiring managers

Check a role before you post it, not after someone files for unemployment.

Recruiters and staffing firms

Document every placement's classification for your client and your own records.

Accountants and bookkeepers

Send clients here for the classification question, and keep the follow-on work.

Companies preparing to sell

Review your contractor roles before a buyer's diligence team does.

Pricing

$200 per role. No subscription.

Is this legal advice?No. SpecWise provides compliance information based on the facts you give us. For borderline or high-stakes decisions, we'll tell you to talk to an employment attorney.
How long does it take?Most reports are ready in minutes. If something in your spec is unclear, we'll ask before we finish.
What if the role changes later?The report reflects the role as described on that date. If duties, hours, pay or location change, run a new report.
Which states do you cover?All 50 states and the District of Columbia, plus federal rules.
Have another question?Email us at hello@getspecwise.com. A real person will get back to you.
One role, one report
$200per job spec
  • Classification call with confidence and risk
  • Federal and state tests applied
  • Factor-by-factor reasoning and risk flags
  • What would change the answer
  • One-page PDF, yours to keep
Check a role
Pay once. No account required.