That's roughly double the 3.5% of payroll checks that went to 1099 workers in December 2007.

WSJ: Why Small Businesses Are Scared of the New Health-Care Law

Most banks offer it for customers who agree to have their payroll checks automatically deposited, although again, some big banks are starting to reinstate monthly service charges if minimum balances aren't maintained.

FORBES: Banking

In December 2012, 6.7% of payroll checks written by small employers went to 1099 workers, or those not considered employees of a company, according to SurePayroll, a Chicago-based payroll firm that caters to 40, 000 small employers with an average of seven employees.

WSJ: Why Small Businesses Are Scared of the New Health-Care Law