What to check in a freelance or 1099 agreement
Payment terms
Look for a clear amount, a due date such as Net 15 or Net 30, invoicing steps, late payment terms and a deposit for larger projects.
Scope and revisions
Vague scope invites unpaid extra work. Check that deliverables, the number of revisions and the change-request process are spelled out.
Kill fee and termination
If the client can cancel at any time, make sure you are paid for work already done, ideally with a kill fee.
Intellectual property
Check when ownership transfers (ideally on full payment), whether it covers only final deliverables, and whether you can show the work in your portfolio.
Non-compete and non-solicit
Broad restrictions can stop you working for others in your field. Enforceability varies by state; California, for example, generally voids non-competes.
Liability and indemnity
Watch for unlimited liability or a one-sided duty to cover the client’s losses. A cap tied to your fees is common.
Contractor or employee?
What the contract calls you does not settle it. The IRS looks at behavioral control, financial control and the relationship as a whole, and some states, such as California, use a stricter "ABC" test. If a contract controls how, when and where you work like an employee, the analyzer will flag it so you can ask questions.
Taxes and paperwork, in general terms
Independent contractors generally pay self-employment tax and are not covered by the client’s payroll withholding. Clients typically ask for a Form W-9 and may report what they paid you on Form 1099-NEC. Some places also protect freelancers directly: New York City and New York State, for example, have "Freelance Isn’t Free" laws that require written contracts and timely payment for many engagements. A tax professional can tell you what applies to you.
Work made for hire, in brief
Under US copyright law, work you create as an independent contractor is generally yours unless you sign a written assignment or the work falls into specific "work made for hire" categories that the contract names. That is why IP clauses deserve a careful read.
How Contract Checked helps
Upload your document and get a plain-English report: risk ratings on specific clauses, protections that are missing, and the questions to ask before you sign. Then ask follow-up questions about your own document. You see the credit cost before anything runs.
Check my freelance contractFrequently asked questions
Does it work for non-US contracts too?
Yes. The analyzer reads any contract from any country. This page focuses on US independent contractors.
Can it review an SOW or MSA?
Yes. Upload a master services agreement, a statement of work, a consulting agreement or an agency contract, or compare two versions side by side.
Is this legal or tax advice?
No. It is general information and an AI reading of your document. For a large engagement or a dispute, talk to a licensed attorney or a tax professional.
What happens to my contract after I upload it?
Your documents are stored in your account so you can reopen the report and ask follow-up questions. You can delete them from your dashboard anytime. See the privacy policy for details.