Simple Contractor Agreement for the United States

Simple Contractor Agreement Template for United States

A Simple Contractor Agreement is a legally binding document used in the United States to establish a formal relationship between a client and an independent contractor. This agreement outlines the scope of services, payment terms, and clearly defines the independent contractor relationship to avoid misclassification issues under U.S. labor laws. It includes essential provisions for intellectual property rights, confidentiality, and liability while maintaining compliance with federal and state-specific contractor regulations.

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What is a Simple Contractor Agreement?

The Simple Contractor Agreement serves as a foundational document for establishing independent contractor relationships in the United States. This agreement is essential when businesses or individuals wish to engage services without creating an employer-employee relationship. It addresses key areas such as scope of work, compensation, intellectual property rights, and confidentiality while ensuring compliance with IRS guidelines and state-specific labor laws. The document helps prevent worker misclassification issues and provides clear terms for both parties, making it particularly valuable for project-based work, consulting arrangements, and other independent service provider relationships. The Simple Contractor Agreement is designed to be straightforward while still offering comprehensive protection for both parties' interests.

What sections should be included in a Simple Contractor Agreement?

1. Parties: Identification and details of the contracting parties (company/client and contractor)

2. Background: Context of the agreement and brief description of the engagement

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement

4. Services: Detailed description of services to be provided by the contractor

5. Term and Termination: Duration of the agreement and termination provisions

6. Compensation: Payment terms, rates, and invoicing procedures

7. Independent Contractor Status: Clear statement of independent contractor relationship

8. Intellectual Property: Ownership of work product and pre-existing IP

9. Confidentiality: Protection of confidential information

10. General Provisions: Standard legal provisions including governing law

What sections are optional to include in a Simple Contractor Agreement?

1. Non-Compete: Restrictions on competitive activities - use when protecting business interests from competition is crucial

2. Insurance Requirements: Specific insurance coverage requirements - use when services involve risk or regulatory requirements

3. Equipment and Resources: Provisions regarding tools and resources - use when specific equipment or resources are required

4. Expenses: Terms for reimbursement of expenses - use when contractor may incur reimbursable expenses

What schedules should be included in a Simple Contractor Agreement?

1. Schedule A - Services Description: Detailed scope of services and deliverables

2. Schedule B - Fee Schedule: Detailed breakdown of fees and payment terms

3. Schedule C - Project Timeline: Project milestones and deadlines (optional)

4. Appendix 1 - Insurance Requirements: Specific insurance coverage details (optional)

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

United States

Publisher

Genie AI

Document Type

Agreement Contract

Cost

Free to use
Clauses
Industries

IRS Guidelines: Internal Revenue Service guidelines for proper classification of independent contractors vs employees, including the IRS 20-Factor Test

FLSA Compliance: Fair Labor Standards Act considerations to ensure proper worker classification and compliance with federal labor laws

Civil Rights Act: Federal anti-discrimination provisions that may apply to contractor relationships

Immigration Reform and Control Act: Requirements for verification of work eligibility in the United States

State Labor Codes: Specific state-level requirements for contractor relationships and worker classification, including tests like California's ABC test

Tax Requirements: Form 1099 requirements, self-employment tax obligations, and state-specific tax considerations for contractors

Intellectual Property Laws: Copyright Act, trade secret laws, and patent considerations for protecting intellectual property created during the contractor relationship

Contract Formation Requirements: State-specific contract law requirements, Statute of Frauds, and essential elements of contract formation (offer, acceptance, consideration)

Insurance Regulations: Workers' compensation laws and liability insurance requirements applicable to independent contractors

Industry Regulations: Industry-specific requirements, licenses, and professional certifications that may be required for certain types of contractor work

Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

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