As a small contractor, it's important that I accurately predict my expenses. I can do that now. But I used to have one expense that was about as predictable as the weather: workers compensation. Like many contractors, I get audited every year by my insurance carrier. The auditor used to go through my books, prepare the audit, have me sign it, and a few weeks later I would be surprised with a bill larger than anticipated. Often the unexpected charges were premiums charged against wages paid to subcontractors whom I couldn't show were insured, and so who were considered by my insurer to be risks under my policy. I tried to learn the rules so that I'd know how to
