# How to invoice as a freelancer (and 1099 contractor). By Roy van Oeteren, founder · Updated October 17, 2026 · 8 min read As a freelancer, you invoice each client yourself: send an invoice that has your name or business name, a unique number, a description of the work, the amount, a due date and how to pay. Clients do not withhold taxes from a contractor, so you are paid the full invoice amount and handle your own taxes. Most US freelancers are treated as independent contractors, which usually means the client reports what they paid you on a 1099 form at the end of the year, if they paid you above the IRS reporting threshold. The sections below cover the paperwork, the invoice itself and the money habits that keep you out of trouble. ## What you need before the first invoice Rules for registering a business and collecting sales tax vary by state. Check yours, and ask an accountant if you are unsure. - A business name. You can invoice under your own name as a sole proprietor, or under a DBA or an LLC if you have set one up. - A tax ID. A sole proprietor can use their Social Security number, but many freelancers get a free EIN from the IRS to avoid sharing the SSN. - A W-9. Many US clients will ask you for a filled-in W-9 form before they pay you the first time. It gives them your name, address and tax ID so they can report payments to you. - A way to get paid: a business bank account, plus a payment link if you want to accept cards. - A written agreement or accepted quote, so that scope, price and terms are settled before you start. See [estimate vs invoice](https://jiffy-invoice.com/guides/invoice-vs-estimate). ## What a freelancer invoice contains The basics are the same for any invoice; the [checklist of what to include](https://jiffy-invoice.com/guides/what-to-include-on-an-invoice) has the full list. For freelancers, the details that matter most are a clear description of each deliverable, the hours or the fixed price, the due date, and how to pay. Put your name exactly as it appears on your W-9, so your client's records match. Add the project name or the client's PO number if they gave you one. **Freelance invoice INV-0007** > Sam Rivera, Freelance Copywriter > 120 Maple Street, Austin, TX 78701 | sam@samrivera.example > > Bill to: Northwind Software, Accounts Payable > Project: Website copy refresh | PO: NW-5521 > > Invoice date: October 17, 2026 Due: November 1, 2026 (Net 15) > > Homepage and pricing page copy 12 hrs x $85.00 $1,020.00 > Two rounds of revisions 4 hrs x $85.00 $340.00 > > TOTAL DUE: $1,360.00 > Pay by bank transfer or by card using the link below. ## Choose how you charge Whichever you choose, ask for a deposit on larger projects and use milestone invoices on long ones, so that you are never months behind on payment. | Method | Best for | Watch out for | | --- | --- | --- | | Hourly | Open-ended work, ongoing support | Track hours carefully; clients may want estimates | | Fixed price per project | Defined deliverables | Scope creep; write down what is and is not included | | Retainer (monthly) | Steady, recurring work | Define the monthly scope; invoice on a schedule | | Day or half-day rate | Consulting, workshops | Say what a day includes | ## Payment terms that suit freelancers Individuals and small businesses can often pay on receipt or in 7 to 15 days. Companies usually want Net 30 and some are slower. Pick the shortest your client will accept, write the actual due date, and decide in advance whether you charge a [late fee](https://jiffy-invoice.com/guides/late-payment-fees). The guide to [Net 30 and other terms](https://jiffy-invoice.com/guides/net-30-payment-terms) explains each one. ## 1099s and taxes in plain words When a US business pays an independent contractor above a certain amount in a year, it usually has to report the total to the IRS and to you on a Form 1099 (most often 1099-NEC). The amount has changed in recent years, so look up the current figure on irs.gov. You still owe tax on all your income, even if you never receive a 1099. Because no one withholds tax from your invoices, you are generally responsible for paying estimated tax during the year, and self-employment tax on top of income tax. Many freelancers set aside a share of every payment in a separate account the day it arrives. Ask an accountant what share and what schedule fit your situation; this guide is not tax advice. Keep your invoices, a record of what was paid and when, and receipts for business expenses. Your invoices are the proof of what you earned. ## Habits that keep freelance income steady - Invoice when the work is delivered or the milestone is reached, not at the end of the month. - Send every invoice to the person who approves payments, and ask early who that is. - Put the due date in your calendar. Send a [reminder](https://jiffy-invoice.com/guides/payment-reminder-email) on or just after it. - Keep your invoice numbers in order. See [invoice numbering](https://jiffy-invoice.com/guides/invoice-numbering). - Raise your rates between projects, not in the middle of one. - Use a tool. A spreadsheet works for a while, and an invoicing app saves the retyping once you have many clients. ## Tools for freelance invoicing The [free invoice generator](https://jiffy-invoice.com/invoice-generator) makes an invoice as a PDF without an account, which is enough for an occasional client. For regular work, the Jiffy app keeps your clients, sends invoices by email, WhatsApp or a link, and tracks what is paid. Quotes your client can sign are included on the free plan; see how it compares on the [invoice app for freelancers](https://jiffy-invoice.com/invoice-app-for) page. ## Send your first freelance invoice today. Fill in the free invoice generator and save a clean PDF. No account needed. When you have more clients, the Jiffy app keeps it all in one place. [Open the free invoice generator](https://jiffy-invoice.com/invoice-generator) ## Questions people ask ### Do freelancers need to send invoices? Yes. An invoice is how you ask for payment and the record of what you earned. Even if a client pays through their own system, send one. ### Do I need an LLC to invoice clients? No. You can invoice as a sole proprietor under your own name. An LLC is a separate decision about liability and taxes; ask an accountant or lawyer. ### What is a W-9 and when do I send it? A W-9 is an IRS form that gives a client your name, address and taxpayer ID so they can report payments to you. Many clients ask for it before the first payment. ### How do I invoice international clients? Use the same invoice, add their country and the currency, and agree how to pay (bank transfer or card). Tax rules for services abroad differ, so ask your accountant. ## Related guides - [How to write an invoice, step by step](https://jiffy-invoice.com/guides/how-to-write-an-invoice) - [What does Net 30 mean? Payment terms explained](https://jiffy-invoice.com/guides/net-30-payment-terms) - [Estimate vs invoice: what is the difference?](https://jiffy-invoice.com/guides/invoice-vs-estimate) [Invoicing guides](https://jiffy-invoice.com/guides) Source: https://jiffy-invoice.com/guides/how-to-invoice-as-a-freelancer