you can make the employee/independent contractor status on your own. if you are unsure you can let the IRS make the determination by filing form SS-8
https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fss8.pdf
Send the completed and signed Form SS-8 to:
Internal Revenue Service
Form SS-8 Determinations
P.O. Box 630
Stop 631
Holtsville, NY 11742-0630
it's important to get it right. you s an employer would need to get an EIN, file quarterly payroll tax returns, year-end W-2, pay in the payroll taxes on a timely basis, possibly need to get worker's compensation insurance. if your state taxes wages you would also have state payroll tax filing requirements. failure to classify them properly as employees can result in the IRS and state imposing significant penalties
if they're independent contractors things are much simpler. technically you don't need an EIN. you can use your SSN. at year-end you file 1096/1099-NEC. there are no payroll tax returns or withholding required.
in either case, make sure the amount paid to them is reasonable based on the services they actually perform. if the payment is excessive and the IRS catches it, they are still taxed on what you paid them but you lose the deduction for an excessive amount. then the IRS and state (if you have a state income tax) will bill you for additional taxes, penalties and interest.
