@jfgdura
Unfortunately, it's not about what's the easy way to do it. The IRS has strict classifications as to who is an employee and who is an independent contractor. It sounds from your job description that were you to begin to get paid for your work, you would be an employee
You could possibly be a QJV but you have been acting as an unpaid helper for some years.
A qualified joint venture is a joint venture that conducts a trade or business where (1) the only members of the joint venture are a married couple who file a joint return, (2) both spouses materially participate in the trade or business, and (3) both spouses elect not to be treated as a partnership. A qualified joint venture, for purposes of this provision, includes only businesses that are owned and operated by spouses as co-owners, and not in the name of a state law entity (including a limited partnership or limited liability company).
