How do I write an independent contractor agreement?

To write an independent contractor agreement, work through eight clauses: the services, described concretely; compensation and invoicing; an independent-status clause; intellectual property assignment; confidentiality; insurance and tax responsibility; term and termination; and signatures.

The independence clause is the one that makes it an IC agreement rather than a service contract. A standard example: Contractor determines the manner and means of performing the services, provides their own equipment, and is free to perform services for others. That language, matched by actual practice, is what classification reviews look for.

Common clause mistakes: IP language that forgets to transfer ownership on payment, no invoicing timeline, and termination that requires cause. Keep every clause in plain English; the agreement binds identically and clients sign it faster.

This client agreement template includes all eight clauses as fillable fields.