Independent Contractor Invoice Template

An independent contractor is someone hired by a company to carry out a project but not cared for by the company. Nowadays, almost anyone who can offer some services to consumers is considered an independent contractor. The benefits are determined in agreement with the choice of an independent contractor or a full-time employee. The slight difference is that while an employee gives full-time attention to the job, an independent contractor is flexible because the employer is only interested in the final results, not considering what process is involved. 

Independent contractors pay their taxes to self-employment tax agents. You also have to remit to the medicare and social Security offices for tax payment. Being an independent contractor means having complete control over the work; all details and performance are under your care. Also, a personal relationship with the employer is not required. 

Many federal employment laws do not permit employees' benefits to independent contractors. As a result, you will have to record all payments and earnings as proof for future references and request the 1099-MISC form for a fee of over $599. This form should contain the total yearly amount paid for a project and the rate at which the amount is paid, whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. 

Also, the law does not care for independent contractors under the Employment discrimination Title VII or employers responsible for paying overtime fees during operation. As such, any casualties encountered during the process will have to be funded by the independent contractor. Even as a disabled independent contractor, you will still have to care for your disability, unlike employees in the organization. 

In addition, independent contractors are not registered to receive employment benefits such as retirement accounts and health insurance. An independent contractor is not listed among pensioners, unlike employees in an organization. Employers also keep the specifications of your employment. 

A person cannot be considered an independent contractor if the performance is related to an employee's. An independent contractor's job is free of monitoring and supervision. As an independent contractor,

• Your payments are made per project, unlike the company-employee price.
• You have to come along with your equipment and materials for the job.
• You can work from wherever you want while still being contracted by other employers.
• You can also become an employer by acquiring other independent contractors.
• You have no specific deadlines or rules for the completion of the project.

Independent contractors have been evaluated and assessed by courts and federal agencies to ensure their capability, and the assessment is passed based on your skills and employment. Some workers such as truck drivers, messengers, high-tech engineers, and construction workers are often classified as independent contractors. The term freelancer can be used to refer to an independent contractor.

As you work to create your billing, consider how much time and effort will accomplish your services. It is proper to gather all payment details to form your billing before contacting your employer. Make your billing method appear professional when presenting them to your client. You can boost your game with these few tips.

Your billing policy should cover your rates, billing methods (preferably electronic), date and time, payment deadline, and late fees, if any. Consider your employer's rules first when planning your billing. So, contact your employer before finalizing your statement to avoid misunderstanding. Some employers might require an extension for payment or prefer a paper invoice instead of an electronic one.

Whatever time you set with your employer for billing, it is essential to be punctual. It is proper to keep track of time and report any confusion about the billing immediately. This will help put you and your employee on the same page. You can make your work easier by employing some time management and billing software available on phones, PCs, or a simple notebook.

The billing process should cover a professional invoice. You can also create your invoice with the help of Ms. Word or Excel invoice templates. This process is effective and cheap. The bank can also assist you in creating an invoice if you make a request.

When establishing your billing system, you need it to be satisfactory to promote your business brand. Always avoid errors and offer a well-detailed statement to your employer. However, billing your client can be more complicated as an independent contractor as you have to specify deductions, work descriptions, and receipts. The process can be time-consuming and stressful. If the stress is too much, you can seek the help of an accountant to reduce the weight on your shoulders and help you concentrate on completing the project. Also, consider using an invoice generator to make your work easier.

An invoice is a statement that permits any independent contractor to carry out a job; the invoice states the payment date and percentage. This billing can be remitted at the time of service or after the completion of services. 

Be accurate when creating an invoice for your employer. Any mistake made will result in re-writing and extra delay. Then there is the follow-up and monitoring phase to know how soon your invoice will be addressed. 

The invoice is there to reduce stress and confusion between the employer and the independent contractor. It contains the progress of work and due payment. There are certain features and specifications which an independent contractor's invoice must possess.

In the least, the invoice should contain:

• Contact information for both employers and independent contractors. 

The business information should be located in your header. This should contain your name, address, email, and contact number. These details will let the employer know who they are paying to. The logo is to beautify the invoice and create a lasting image in the employer's memory.

Your employer information is next on the invoice. Ask your employer for accurate billing details such as departments and the office for submission. Be sure these details are correct to avoid sending the invoice to a different employer. This little act will convince your employer that you are detail-oriented and able to work.

• Dates and specifics of work completed

Create a columned invoice to make the billing organized by itemizing all your rendered services. The service description should be placed first, and then the quantity and time spent on work can be second. The last should be your rate which includes the total amount due. This system will make the invoice easy to read and relatable.

• The total amount owed and the date it is due

As earlier stated, the total amount due and balance from other projects such as taxes will be listed at the bottom of the invoice. This section is considered the essential part of an invoice. Make these details eligible using bigger or bolder fonts. 

Billing your employer as an independent contractor can be stressful after securing the job. Fixing the right amount for your services should favor your conditions. There are worries about having a low bid or a high bid that will discourage your employer during bidding. Some employers might set the amount to be paid, which is negotiable by the independent contractor. It is proper to set rates that cover more than your expenses to achieve better income goals. 

Trying to equate your rate with the salary of an employee is a mistake most independent contractors make. If you choose to do this, your billing will be obtained by dividing an employee’s salary by the total number of weeks (52) in a year, and the result will be further divided by the total hours per week. However, this calculation is missing your necessary employment cost. 

When billing your client, keep the following costs in mind:

• Operating costs: this depends on the company and the type of task to be undertaken. Put all prices required to complete the job into consideration. Some expenses include the internet, software fees, marketing or advertising, employees' fees, and other needed structures.
• Health insurance: the independent contractor must cover the cost of health insurance for the necessary people.
• Retirement Savings: It is best to have a retirement plan. This cost should also be included in the amount billed. As an independent contractor, your retirement times are in your hands. You can add a retirement monthly transfer to your billing.
• Paid time off: You have to set a bill covering your time off work, such as vacations and massage parlors. You might have to make a trip to meet other contracts doing the project, which doesn't mean paying as an independent contractor. All you have to do is infuse it into your billing.

How much time off should you factor in? 

There are approximately 260 working days in a year. This comes with 15 days of vacation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can have more of these vacations at the expense of your employer. These expenses are to be considered in the bill.

• Housekeeping and development tasks:  This includes all the activities not known to the employer, such as invoices, project calculations, learning new skills, recruiting additional or replacement workers, etc. This work takes a lot of time and expenses, which should also be considered when billing your employer.
• Profit: Profit is the primary reason for securing a job. After putting all costs and additional cover pay into consideration, you can set a specific profit margin. You need to set up an account where your profit will be sent to keep your business standing.