A 2024 Guide to Taxes for Independent Contractors

You can link the platform to your funded account and create accounts with your contractor information. Information such as their full name, worker ID, payment rate and payment dates are stored for easier payment delivery. Paying independent contractors is quite easy since benefits administration and tax calculations are not required. However, you need to pay attention to the procedures involved in paying independent contractors for work completed.

Steps for paying independent contractors

• This requires you to report all income and expenses on Schedule C of Form 1040.
• The payroll module uses Davis Bacon wage rates and includes union fringe and state tax rates.
• This is best for any contractor looking for a comprehensive, ready-to-use solution for accounting and project management.
• If you’re an independent contractor, you have to pay self-employment taxes to the IRS (the current rate is 15.3%—12.4% for social security and 2.9% for Medicare).
• If your business has paid an independent contractor more than $600 for the year, you must complete Form 1099-NEC.
• These plans allow you to contribute a portion of your income and enjoy tax advantages while saving for your future.

Features include invoicing, expenses, time tracking, projects, estimates, payments, reporting, and a mobile app. While some other advanced programs feel like they require an accounting degree to navigate, FreshBooks keeps it simple. We reviewed accounting apps on a variety of platforms, for mobile devices and desktop computers alike, so you can assess which features meet your needs as an independent contractor. Independent contractors are not eligible for employer-provided healthcare plans, so they must completely fund their healthcare. They must also pay both the employee and the employer parts of Social Security and Medicare taxes—what’s known as the self-employment tax. They are not eligible for employer-sponsored 401(k) plans or matching contributions from those who employ them.

Independent Contractor vs. Employee

Independent contractors, commonly known as 1099 workers in the U.S., can include consultants, freelancers, remote developers, gig workers, accountants, writers, or even realtors. While there is no global test to determine whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee, most countries look at a similar set of factors. With a reliable Employer of Record (EOR) solution in place, you can hire quickly and accountant for independent contractor compliantly anywhere in the world. Let’s explore the key differences between international contractors and employees — and how to leverage a global talent pool from day one. This software is best for contractors who have multiple projects happening simultaneously. Deltek ComputerEase, formerly Construction Accounting by Computer Ease, is a software solution that tells you where each job stands in various ways.

Collect a completed W-9 form

The IRS says misclassification is a form of tax evasion, and might come after you for the unpaid employer and employee portions of Social Security, and Medicare if they discover you’ve done it. If you train someone, direct their tasks, set specific hours, and dictate how and when the work should be completed, the IRS is likely to see them as an employee. If you’re looking for a good template contract for an independent contractor agreement, the plain contract is a good place to start. An independent contractor is anyone who does work on a contract basis to complete a particular project or assignment. Third-party customer reviews are mostly positive for Xero, but some customers note that the pricing has consistently increased for the accounting services. You can also add on payroll through Gusto starting at $40 per month.

How to Account for Independent Contractors in Your Business Taxes (4 Questions You May Be Asking)

Our accounting services are designed and centered around your type of business. Whether you’re a business owner with multiple team members or are a sole proprietor, we specialize in servicing independent contractors with all of your accounting needs. A general ledger sheet organizes information about all contractors who have received money from your business in one place, so you can quickly find data when needed. This could be an additional tab on your payment log that tracks contractors’ gross earnings for the year, so you’ll be able to easily identify which workers you’ll need to process 1099s for at year end.

And let’s assume you’re single, have no other income and claim the standard deduction. For simplicity, we will ignore certain tax credits and deductions, such as the Qualified Business Income deduction. Independent contractors aren’t employees of the people or businesses they provide services for. They may or may not have written contracts spelling out the services they’re supposed to perform and their compensation for those services. You may be a one-person business, but you should never feel alone when filing your business taxes.

• You want a platform that fits your overall budget and provides as much value without needing to upgrade with other subscriptions or customized solutions.
• There are also several other copies you must submit to different agencies.
• AI-powered legal analytics, workflow tools and premium legal & business news.
• You can make a direct deposit using an online accounts payable solution, like Bill.com, which takes several days to process payments and requires a monthly subscription fee.
• Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate is designed for contractors and owners to be able to manage properties and projects effectively.
• Let’s explore how to choose the best talent for your business today.

Tax deductions for independent contractors

You’ll be able to get into the weeds with budget management tools that allow you to go from budget to change order requests instantly. One of the main reasons why it’s better to have accurate financial records is to have a guide with your next move either as an independent contractor or as a business entity. We will help you use your reports and KPIs to make informed, profitable decisions. Over the years, independent contractors are constantly under scrutiny of the IRS. Because of incorrectly filed information, many of them are imposed penalties, fees, and interest. Our group of CPAs, tax consultants, and IRS experts will help you avoid unwanted IRS attention.

What’s the Difference Between an Independent Contractor and an Employee?

How does an independent contractor pay taxes?