Need help w/ Independent Contracting (1099)

[PhätTony]

I just recently stopped working as a W-2 worker (contractor) with Toyota. I now work as an Independent contractor with the LAUSD in around the L.A. areas. The gentlemen that I work with/for told me to send me an invoice and hours. I've never done this before and know that I should have been paid this week. I haven't the slightest idea about deriving up an 'independent contracting invoice.

If any of you have been or are an independent contractor I'd sure like to get an invoice template from you as soon as I can. I'm flat broke and that is like Top O Ramen and tang broke.

[ncttrnl]

I had the same question the first time I did contract work. Turns out I was just waaaay over-thinking it.

Just write up a standard invoice. You can use a template from word if you want.

The item is labor (however you wish to describe that), the units are hours, and the quantity is how many hours you are billing for.

One thing to keep in mind, contracting like this is not at all like being on payroll. I used to have to flat out harass some of my clients to get paid. It wasn't even like the invoices were for all that much but some finance departments seem to think its their job to not pay anything they aren't forced to. I'd have multi-million dollar companies take over 90 days to pay me $2k.

A word of advice I wish someone would have given me... Take care of clients that pay and leave clients that don't. I burned many well paying bridges chasing empty promises from fast talking clients.

[madisonry]

I'm not sure what the practices are of the company that you're working with, but I'd be ready to wait until the day your invoice is due to get paid.

[PhätTony]

thanks! I'm working for 3DISYSTEMS.COM...They subcontracted me to LAUSD.