> I probably was more of a “temporary employee” than a contractor. But what’s the difference at that point?

If you’re a temporary employee, the employer is responsible for payroll taxes, and has additional obligations to you (depending on the state). You’re obligations— both to your employer and to the IRS—are different as well.

I’m addition to unlawfully skirting regulations, misclassifying an employee as a contractor is essentially stealing from the employee by reducing the company’s tax burden and increasing the employee’s.