[turbo6bar]

Many thanks, guys. I definitely need to research employee leasing. A cousin works for Randstad. It can't hurt to ask, and it might eliminate a lot of hassle. I viewed staffing companies as places to obtain labor as opposed to places to track labor. That's what I get for thinking.

Tidy, read you loud and clear. I deduct half of 15.x% FICA from the employee's paycheck, and I match that amount. The Federal government gets that 15.x% and gives me thirty lashes of the whip.

mattdavis, the 1099 would be easy, but I don't want to get caught. I gladly push the limits of the law in many instances, but I don't feel comfortable here.

dad911, I must agree. It's either all or nothing here. Either grab an employee now and plan for more down the road, or keep it simple and go it alone.