A 2012 report of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) found that one third of audited employers in certain industries misclassify their employees. By failing to purchase workers' compensation insurance, pay unemployment insurance and payroll taxes, or comply with minimum wage and overtime laws, employers lower their costs as much as 40%, placing other employers at a competitive disadvantage.

Based on state and national studies, JLARC estimated that worker misclassification lowers Virginia’s state income tax collections as much as $28 million a year. Agencies with relevant enforcement responsibilities, including the Virginia Employment Commission, the Department of Labor and Industry, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, the State Corporation Commission’s Bureau of Insurance, the Department of Taxation, and the Workers’ Compensation Commission each address only one component of this practice and may not fully coordinate their efforts. In its study, JLARC recommended the establishment of a task force with representatives from the agencies listed above.