real estate is the same way. Agents are independent and file 1099s but they have to hang their license with broker under company name. I became a broker not wanting employees or an office. We have three associate agent hope this doesn’t spread.
My son has been a real estate broken since 2007. He started as an agent in an office. The broker was his sole employer and set his duties and hours. He was supposed to have him tracked as a W2 employee. The broker failed to withhold taxes and pay his share of the social security. My son already had a BA in Business and was doing all of the real work in the office. He did some review and took the broker's license...and passed. He "lost" his job and opened his own corporation. That said, he has had tax problems for years that started with that jackass. He never fit the specs for a 1099 independent contractor.