Contract templates · Freelancers & Contractors
Businesses use contractors for flexibility, and tax authorities look closely at whether the label matches reality. A clear independent contractor agreement supports the classification and settles who owns the work.
An independent contractor agreement is a contract between a business and a self-employed person or company that sets the services, fees, invoicing, IP ownership, confidentiality, liability and termination terms, and records that the contractor is not an employee.
When you need one
- Hiring a freelancer, consultant or contractor
- Working as a contractor for a client
Key clauses in a Independent Contractor Agreement
These are the clauses the template includes, and what each one does for you.
Services and deliverables
Describes what the contractor will deliver and by when.
Fees, invoicing and expenses
Sets rates, invoicing frequency, payment terms and which expenses are reimbursed.
Independent contractor status
Records that the contractor controls how the work is done, pays their own taxes and gets no employee benefits.
IP ownership and licence
Assigns ownership of deliverables to the client, or grants a licence where the contractor keeps ownership.
Confidentiality
Keeps the client's information private during and after the engagement.
Warranties and limitation of liability
Gives basic warranties about the work and caps each side's liability.
Term and termination
Sets the length of the engagement and how either party can end it.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating a contractor like an employee in practice, fixed hours, equipment, supervision, which undermines the contract's label in IRS, HMRC and EU tests.
- Not assigning IP, so the client only gets an implied licence to what it paid for.
- No termination clause, leaving long notice to be argued.
How to use the template
Download the Word file
Buy the Independent Contractor Agreement template on My Contract Lawyer and download the editable .docx straight after checkout.
Fill in the brackets
Add names, dates, fees, scope and governing law, and delete optional clauses that do not apply to your deal.
Check it against local law
Rules differ between US states, the UK and EU countries, especially for employment, consumer and property contracts. Have a lawyer review high-value or unusual deals.
Sign and keep a copy
Sign on paper or with any e-signature tool, and store the final version where both sides can find it.
Get the Independent Contractor Agreement template
Lawyer-drafted and ready to edit in Word, Google Docs or Pages. One-time payment of $19, no subscription, instant download from My Contract Lawyer.
Frequently asked questions
Does a contract make someone a contractor?
No. Authorities look at the actual relationship. The contract helps, but control, integration and financial risk decide classification.
Who owns the work a contractor creates?
Under US and UK copyright defaults, generally the contractor, unless there is a written assignment.
Should contractors carry insurance?
For professional services it is common to require professional indemnity or general liability cover, and the agreement can require proof.
Related contract templates
Templates are a starting point, not legal advice, and using one does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Contract law differs between countries and states, so check the finished document against local law.