The Independent Contractor Agreement that keeps the IRS off your back — and the 7-item checklist that proves you're really a contractor

Short summary

Independent contractor agreements require both a signed contract and working patterns that align with IRS classification factors. Key protection areas include IP assignment, kill fees on convenience termination, contractor-owned equipment, multiple clients, and flexible hours. The IRS weighs 13 contract elements and 7 highest-leverage operational factors; a strong agreement addresses all of them.

• •IRS misclassification audits focus on substance over form—contract plus working pattern both matter
• •Critical contract sections: IP assignment, kill fees, tools/equipment, contractor-owned workspace
• •Seven highest-leverage IRS factors: contractor's own equipment, multiple clients, flexible hours, per-project pay

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