Independent Contractor Agreement
For a business engaging an individual or a one-person company as a contractor rather than an employee. It records the scope and pay and sets out the independence terms that help show a contractor relationship, while recognizing that actual working practice decides classification.
- Fields
- 32
- Pages
- 3
- Paper
- Letter
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Reviewed
Before you start
What you need to fill it in
- Company and contractor legal names and addresses
- Description of the project or ongoing work
- Rate (hourly, per project or per milestone) and invoicing schedule
- Start date and expected end date, if any
- Whether the contractor uses their own equipment
- A completed Form W-9 from the contractor (kept separately)
- The governing state
What's inside
32 fields, ready to fill
- 23Typed answersnames, addresses, descriptions
- 5Dateschecked as real dates
- 2Choicescheckboxes, options, dropdowns
- 2Signaturessignature and initials
20 required — the editor counts down how many are left while you fill.
Instructions
How to fill out the Independent Contractor Agreement
- 1
Enter the company and contractor
If the contractor works through an LLC, enter the LLC's legal name, not the individual's.
- 2
Define the work
Describe outcomes and deadlines rather than daily instructions. Detailed control over how and when work is done points toward employment.
- 3
Set compensation
Choose the rate type, enter the amount, the invoice frequency and the payment period. Note any expense reimbursement rules in the work box.
- 4
Confirm the term
Enter the start date, an optional end date and the notice period for ending early.
- 5
Choose the governing state and sign
Pick the state, then both parties sign. Request the contractor's W-9 at the same time.
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What filling it looks like
- Edit & fill, Invite to sign and Create form are three modes of the same editor
- Amounts are formula fields: they calculate as you type
- The field navigator counts what's left and jumps to the next field
Shown with our invoice template. Sample content; names are fictional.
Written for: General (US)
This template is a general starting point, not legal advice. Laws differ by state and country; have a qualified professional review it for your situation.
Written by PDFBetter and last reviewed October 15, 2026. Spotted a problem? Tell us.
Independent Contractor Agreement: questions people ask
Does signing this make someone a contractor?
No. The IRS, the Department of Labor and state agencies look at how the relationship works in practice, such as control, financial independence and integration into your business. Some states, including California and Massachusetts, apply stricter tests.
Who owns the work the contractor creates?
This template assigns deliverables to the company once it has paid for them. Without a written assignment, a contractor usually keeps copyright in what they create.
Do we need witnesses or a notary?
No. Contractor agreements are normally valid when both parties sign. Electronic signatures are generally accepted under the ESIGN Act and state UETA laws.
What tax form do I need from the contractor?
US businesses usually collect Form W-9 before the first payment and may need to file Form 1099-NEC for the year. Keep the W-9 separate from this agreement.
Can I add a non-compete?
This template does not include one on purpose. Non-competes for contractors are restricted or void in several states. Ask a lawyer before adding one.
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