Consulting & Independent Contractor Agreements - Book With CD-ROM

By Attorney Stephen Fishman, Nolo Press

Venue:

Description:

Whether you are contracting your services to others or hiring independent contractors to work for you, it's essential to get everything in writing -- if you don't, you could lose time, money and credibility.

Consultant and Independent Contractor Agreements gives you the plain-English instructions and easy-to-use forms you need to get the legalities straight, stay out of trouble and get the job done.

If you're an independent contractor...
Take the legal steps necessary to document each new project that comes your way -- if you get audited, you'll be glad you did. This easy-to-use book gives you all the tools you need to:

• put your agreement in writing
• define a project's scope, components and duration
• satisfy IRS requirements
• get paid on time and in full
• avoid disputes with clients
• drum up new business

If you're hiring independent contractors...
Using freelancers can get you great results and save you money -- but you need to know what it takes to avoid the ire of the IRS while protecting your business and intellectual property. Here's everything you need to:

• put your agreement in writing
• define a project's scope, components and duration
• satisfy IRS requirements
• protect your trade secrets, trademarks, patents and copyrights
• avoid disputes with independent contractors
• get your money's worth

Table of Contents

1. How to Use This Book

• A. Why Use Written Agreements
• B. Agreements Contained in This Book
• C. Putting Your Agreement Together
• D. Changing the Agreement After It's Signed

2. Hiring Consultants and Independent Contractors

• A. Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Independent Contractors
• B. Workers Who Qualify as Independent Contractors
• C. When Written IC Agreements Are Vital

3. Working as a Consultant or Independent Contractor

• A. Benefits of Working as an Independent Contractor
• B. Drawbacks of IC Status
• C. Who Decides Whether You're an IC?

4. Enforcing Consultant and Independent Contractor Agreements

• A. Preliminary Considerations
• B. Negotiation
• C. Mediation
• D. Arbitration
• E. Litigation

5. General Independent Contractor Agreements

• A. Agreement for Hiring Firm to Use
• B. Agreement for Independent Contractor to Use

6. Consultant Agreements

• A. Consultant Agreement for Use by Hiring Firm
• B. Agreement for Use by Consultant

7. Agreements for Household Services

• A. Agreement for Use by Hiring Party
• B. Agreement for Use by Worker

8. Agreements for Salespeople

• A. Special IRS Rules for Salespeople
• B. Agreement for Use by Hiring Firm
• C. Agreement for Use by Salesperson

9. Agreements for Accountants and Bookkeepers

• A. Agreement for Use by Hiring Firm
• B. Agreement for Use by IC

10. Agreements for Software Consultants

• A. Agreement for Use by Hiring Firm
• B. Agreement for Use by Consultant

11. Agreements for Creative Contractors

• A. Agreement for Use by Hiring Firm
• B. Agreement for Use by Contractor

12. Agreements for Construction Contractors

• A. Agreement for Use by Hiring Firm
• B. Agreement for Use by Contractor

13. Agreements for Messengers, Couriers, and Delivery People

• A. Agreement for Hiring Firm to Use
• B. Agreement for Use by IC

Appendix I: How to Use the CD-ROM

• A. Installing the Form Files Onto Your Computer
• B. Using the Word-Processing Files to Create Documents

Appendix II: Sample Agreements for Use by Hiring Firm

• Independent Contractor Agreement
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Consultant
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Household Worker
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Direct Seller
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Accountant & Bookkeeper
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Software Consultant
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Creative Contractor
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Construction Contractor
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Couriers, Messengers, and Delivery People
• Contract Amendment Form
• Publicity/Privacy Release
  Letter
• Independent Contractor Questionnaire
• Document Checklist

Appendix III: Sample Agreements for Use by IC

• Independent Contractor Agreement
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Consultant
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Household Worker
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Direct Seller
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Accountant & Bookkeeper
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Software Consultant
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Creative Contractor
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Construction Contractor
• Independent Contractor Agreement for Couriers, Messengers, and Delivery People
• Contract Amendment Form
• Publicity/Privacy Release
• Invoice