Independent Contractor Agreement
Spell out the work, the pay, and who owns what — then send it for signature. You get back a legally binding, tamper-evident PDF with a Certificate of Completion.
Legally binding · audit trail · no watermark
Independent Contractor Agreement
- Client and contractor names and contact details
- Effective date and project or engagement term
- Description of services and deliverables
- Payment amount, rate, and invoicing or payment schedule
- Independent contractor status and tax responsibility
- Ownership of work product and intellectual property
What is a Independent Contractor Agreement?
An independent contractor agreement is a written contract between a business (the client) and a self-employed worker (the contractor) that defines the services, payment, timeline, and the terms of their working relationship. It confirms the contractor is not an employee, which affects taxes, benefits, and who owns the finished work. It protects both sides by putting the scope, fees, and expectations in writing before the work starts.
When to use it
- Hiring a freelancer or self-employed professional for a defined project
- Bringing on a contractor for ongoing work without making them an employee
- Setting clear payment terms, milestones, or deadlines before work begins
- Clarifying who owns the deliverables, code, designs, or other work product
- Documenting that a worker is a 1099 contractor, not a W-2 employee
- Adding confidentiality, non-solicitation, or termination terms to a working relationship
What's included
This template comes ready with the fields you need:
- Client and contractor names and contact details
- Effective date and project or engagement term
- Description of services and deliverables
- Payment amount, rate, and invoicing or payment schedule
- Independent contractor status and tax responsibility
- Ownership of work product and intellectual property
- Confidentiality and termination terms
- Signature field for each party
- Date signed
Create & sign your Independent Contractor Agreement online
Build & customize
Build and customize the agreement — fill in the parties, scope, pay, and any clauses you need.
Send for signature
Send it to the contractor for e-signature; both parties sign from any device.
Get the signed PDF
Get the signed PDF back with a Certificate of Completion and full audit trail.
Independent Contractor Agreement FAQs
Is an electronically signed contractor agreement legally binding?
Yes. Under the U.S. ESIGN Act and UETA — and eIDAS in the EU — electronic signatures carry the same legal weight as ink on paper for most business contracts, including independent contractor agreements. tuyaform captures a tamper-evident record and a Certificate of Completion showing who signed, when, and from where. This is standard for commercial contracts, though it isn't a substitute for legal advice on your specific situation.
Does this make my worker an independent contractor for tax purposes?
The agreement documents your intent and the terms of the relationship, but it doesn't decide the worker's status by itself. Tax agencies like the IRS look at the actual working relationship — how much control you have, who provides tools, and how the work is paid. A clear written agreement helps, but classification depends on the facts. If you're unsure, check with a tax professional or attorney.
Can both the client and the contractor sign from different places?
Yes. Send the agreement and each party signs from their own phone, tablet, or computer — no printing or scanning. Everyone gets the same finished PDF and Certificate of Completion once all signatures are in, so both sides keep an identical, verifiable copy.
Is tuyaform really free?
Yes — it's free forever and ad-supported. You can create, send, and sign your independent contractor agreement with no watermark on the final document and no per-signature fees. You keep a legally binding signed PDF with its full audit trail at no cost.
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