What is an Independent Contractor Agreement?
A contractor agreement is a document that defines the terms and conditions of hiring an independent contractor.
Both parties – the employer and independent contractor – are present when this document is drawn up and signed. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and helps to reduce the risk of conflicts. A contractor agreement is also helpful for setting expectations for the terms of employment.
Unlike traditional employment contracts, this document clarifies that the worker is not an employee. A well-crafted independent contractor agreement template can minimize risks, prevent disputes, and establish clear guidelines for collaboration.
This agreement is similar to a subcontractor, freelancer, or service agreement but specifically tailored for independent contractors.
What is an Independent Contractor?
An independent contractor is a self-employed individual or business that offers services or products to another company in exchange for payment. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines an independent contractor as someone who has total control over how they complete work for clients. Employers typically don’t have much of a say in the process.
A person’s independent contractor status is also classified based on whether they receive any employee benefits and whether they are reimbursed for expenses or supplies used during the project. If they receive any benefits, they will usually be classified as employees. These benefits may include:
- Health care and insurance.
- Access to a pension fund.
- Social Security contributions.
Many companies may prefer hiring an independent contractor because many extra responsibilities – not to mention expenses – are attached to hiring an employee. Hiring an independent contractor may therefore be a more cost-effective option for some businesses. This is because employers avoid paying employee taxes and contributions to Medicare and other insurance schemes. Many businesses utilize an independent contractor contract to formalize these arrangements and protect their interests.
Why is it Important to Know the Difference Between an Independent Contractor and an Employee?
As an employer, it’s important to understand the difference between independent contractors and employees. Misclassifying an employee can result in costly legal consequences that can be damaging to your business. Let’s take a closer look at the key differences between an independent contractor and an employee.
Employee
An employee is an individual that is employed by the company on a full-time basis. Employees have to sign a contract that details the following:
- The type of work they will be doing.
- Where they will be working.
- What their working hours are.
- Their salary or wages.
The above mentioned elements are usually predetermined by the employer. Employees also often receive a number of benefits that may include health care and pension. Some employers will file taxes on behalf of their employees, too.
Independent Contractor
An independent contractor operates separately from individuals or businesses that employ them. Even though they will also sign independent contractor contracts when doing jobs for businesses, independent contractors usually choose their own terms. Independent contractors also have to rely on their own tools, equipment, and any other supplies they might need to complete a job.
To receive payment for services provided, an independent contractor must submit an invoice for the completed work. An independent contractor is also responsible for their own taxes because they aren’t formally employed by their clients.
*Misclassification not only impacts the contractor’s benefits but can also expose employers to audits and lawsuits. Using a proper contractor agreement template ensures clarity and compliance with legal standards.*
Why Do You Need to Use an Independent Contractor Agreement?
The main reason for having a contractor agreement is to minimize the risk that comes with working with independent service providers. These risks include financial liabilities and even quality control issues if you’re not careful. You can also use a contractor agreement to do the following:
- Setting expectations: A contractor agreement provides an in-depth explanation of the expectations and parameters of the work that needs to be done. It also details the compensation, expected workflow, and communication methods. By drawing up this contract, you can avoid confusion between you and the independent contractor.
- Affirming employer-contractor distinction: Contractor agreements help employers to make a clear distinction between their full-time employees and independent service providers. Not only does this protect the business from false employment claims that can arise, but it also reaffirms the duties of the independent contractor.
- Defining work-product ownership: Independent contractors usually take full ownership of the work they do for employers. They should also actively protect any trade secrets and key business information. However, this should still be made clear in the independent contractor agreement template to avoid costly legal actions in the future.
When Do You Need to Use an Independent Contractor Agreement?
You will need a contractor agreement whenever you hire an independent contractor, or if you are self-employed and will be contracted as one.
The agreement is based on the specific terms of each work engagement.
Are there deadlines or times when this form is needed?
There are no official deadlines attached to a contractor agreement. In fact, you can even have one signed when you’ve already started with the job, although this isn’t recommended.
Ideally, you would want to have the contractor agreement drawn up and signed as soon as possible – preferably before anyone starts working. This helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding project expectations, workflow, and compensation—without anyone’s interests being compromised later on.
Having an independent contractor form finalized before the person starts providing their service can also prevent conflicts from arising.
What Are the Main Things That Go on This Form?
Apart from the employer and service provider’s details, the contractor agreement should include the following:
- A description of the work to be done or of the deliverables.
- The location where the work will be done.
- Time frame or deadlines for the work to be done or duration of the engagement.
- Compensation details, including the billing rates and frequency of payments.
- Additional charges and conditions for deposits or advanced payments.
- Late payment penalties, if any.
- Agreement terms—including termination processes, reimbursements, intellectual property rights, and confidentiality.
The following are some other clauses that are not necessary, but are great to have in your independent contractor agreement:
- Any additional clauses that relate to the nature of the job—including indemnity, return of property, legal expenses, and liability.
- Intellectual property assignments.
- Choice of law and jurisdiction.
- Penalty clauses.
What are the Most Common Mistakes to Avoid?
Drawing up an entire agreement can seem like a daunting task and it can be easy to make mistakes if you’re doing it for the first time. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at common mistakes people make when creating a contractor agreement and how you can avoid them.
1) Not having an Independent Contractor Agreement at all –
It might seem obvious, but not having an independent contractor form can become a big and costly mistake for both employers and service providers. Without a written document that details every aspect of the job, it can be difficult to prove what you agreed upon in the first place.
2) Failing to clearly define the terms of employment –
Failing to specify the terms of employment is often just as bad as not having an agreement in place at all. It’s important to set expectations for the final result and agree on terms like compensation, deadlines, and scheduling. Both parties should be in full agreement. The specifications, however, don’t have to be overdone. For example, you don’t need to include a step-by-step process of how payments will be made. Simply stating the requirements for making payments and setting up a schedule is usually good enough.
If an employer over-specifies the details of a project, it might also prevent the independent contractor from applying their own knowledge and demonstrating their expertise freely.
3) Not specifying ownership of intellectual property –
This is a very common problem when hiring independent contractors—especially when it comes to copyrighting intellectual property. Most businesses have processes in place for copyrighted materials like photos and graphic designs. However, according to the law, the author becomes the owner of the copyrightable material from the time it is created. This means that the independent contractor is technically the owner of any copyrightable material they create for your business.
You can avoid this problem by including a clause in the contractor agreement that states that the business will be the owner of the intellectual property. Of course, the independent contractor will have to agree to this clause. They have to be made aware of its existence when they sign the contract – otherwise your business can be sued.
4) Misclassification –
As we’ve discussed above, this comes about when treating and paying a worker as an independent contractor when the government classifies them as an employee. Having the independent contractor form will not decide the classification by itself, but it will help to provide some clarity. If the worker should be an employee, it would be best practice to hire them as such.
What is the Easiest Way to Create an Independent Contractor Agreement?
Creating an independent contractor agreement doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. You don’t need to hire a lawyer, accountant, or notary to get it right. Instead, you can rely on cost-effective, legally binding online tools like FormPros. Our free independent contractor agreement template generator makes the process simple, helping you avoid costly mistakes while saving time.
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Independent Contractor Agreement FAQs
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How do you terminate an Independent Contractor Agreement?
Termination procedures vary depending on the terms outlined in the agreement. Commonly, agreements include clauses specifying notice periods, reasons for termination, and any required compensation upon termination. Ensure the agreement specifies these details to avoid disputes.
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Are Independent Contractors required to have business insurance?
While not mandatory in all cases, many independent contractors carry business liability insurance to protect against potential claims related to their work. Employers may require proof of insurance as part of the contractor agreement.
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What tax forms should an Independent Contractor use?
Independent contractors in the U.S. typically file taxes using Form 1040 Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) and may need to file Form 1099-NEC for payments over $600 received from clients. Quarterly estimated tax payments may also be required.
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Can an Independent Contractor work for multiple clients simultaneously?
Yes, independent contractors can work for multiple clients as long as there are no exclusivity clauses in their contracts. This flexibility is a key distinction between independent contractors and employees.
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What happens if an Independent Contractor breaches the agreement?
The consequences depend on the terms outlined in the agreement. Many contracts include dispute resolution processes, such as mediation or arbitration, and specify liabilities for breach of contract, such as financial penalties.
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Are Independent Contractors entitled to workers’ compensation?
Typically, independent contractors are not covered under workers’ compensation laws unless explicitly stated in the contract or required by specific state regulations.
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How do you verify that a worker qualifies as an Independent Contractor?
To determine if someone qualifies as an independent contractor, consider factors such as the degree of control the employer has over their work, their financial independence, and the nature of the relationship. The IRS provides a three-category test: Behavioral Control, Financial Control, and Type of Relationship.
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Can an Independent Contractor Agreement include a Non-Compete Clause?
Yes, but enforceability depends on state laws. Some states, like California, heavily restrict or outright prohibit non-compete clauses in independent contractor agreements.
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What is the difference between an Independent Contractor and a Freelancer?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, a freelancer typically works on short-term, project-based assignments for multiple clients, while independent contractors may have longer-term agreements and operate under more formalized contracts.
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Can Independent Contractors hire Subcontractors?
Yes, independent contractors can hire subcontractors unless prohibited by their agreement with the employer. This is common in industries like construction, where contractors delegate parts of the project to specialists.