* When 'this task' classifies you as an employee of the payer and the compensation is under the minimum wage.
That part right there is the problem and is why the entire issue is ridiculous. Every contract programmer should be an employee of the company that they are contracting for. Staffing firms should virtually be out of business. The only thing that minimum wage laws do for society is widen the divide between "Volunteer" and "Paid" because everything in the middle is deemed illegal for reasons that provide no discernible benefit to society while decreasing available jobs and encouraging companies to simply go to countries where they don't have to deal with:
"Well, I can afford to pay you $10 / hour for this job and I realize that you want to take this job for $10 / hour because would be very beneficial to you right now but unfortunately the state says that's not enough so I'm going to have to hire somebody in China for $10 / hour instead. Hopefully the welfare or unemployment office can help you out. As you are aware, the state knows what's best for two people to decide is agreeable."
Just some easy examples that aren't 'not meeting the requirements for being a independent contractor'.
* When any part of completing 'this task' requires you to break the law in order to perform it.
* When 'this task' classifies you as an employee of the payer and the compensation is under the minimum wage.
* When 'this task' is indentured servitude or slavery.
* When 'this task' requires bodily harm or injury. (e.g. You can't sell your kidney)
* When 'this task' requires a license which you don't have.
* When either party is not of sound mind or not capable of consenting to a contract (e.g. if you're drugged, drunk, too young, or mentally unfit).