How Do You Invoice Clients as a 1099 Contractor?

Invoicing as a 1099 Contractor: What It Really Means (and Why It Matters)

Working as a 1099 contractor gives you flexibility, control, and the ability to grow income beyond the limits of a fixed salary. But it also puts you in charge of a major part of your business: billing and collecting payments. If you don’t invoice clearly and consistently, you can end up with late payments, awkward follow-ups, cash-flow stress, and messy records at tax time. If you invoice well, you look professional, get paid faster, and can scale your work with confidence.

So how do you invoice clients as a 1099 contractor? The short version: you create an invoice with the right details, send it on a reliable schedule, offer convenient payment options, follow up politely, and keep clean records. The longer version includes best practices that reduce disputes, set expectations, and make your business feel effortless to clients.

This guide walks through the full invoicing process step by step. It includes exactly what to put on an invoice, how to set payment terms, how to invoice for different types of work (hourly, project, retainer), what to do when clients pay late, and how to keep everything organized. Along the way, you’ll see how invoice24 (a free invoicing app built for speed and simplicity) can handle the important pieces: professional invoice templates, client management, automated totals, recurring invoices, due-date tracking, and more—without making you jump through hoops.

First, a Quick Clarification: “1099 Contractor” vs. “Getting a 1099”

Many people say “I’m a 1099 contractor” to mean they work as an independent contractor. In practice, you may receive a Form 1099 (commonly 1099-NEC) from a client that paid you over a certain threshold during the year. But invoicing is not the same thing as receiving a 1099 form. Invoicing is your process for requesting payment. The 1099 is a tax reporting document a client may send later.

In other words: you don’t “send a 1099” to get paid. You send an invoice. Your invoice is a business document that explains what you did, how much it costs, when payment is due, and how the client can pay.

What Is an Invoice, Exactly?

An invoice is a formal request for payment. It summarizes the work performed (or products delivered), lists costs, applies taxes if needed, and states the payment terms. It should be clear enough that a client can approve it quickly, pay it easily, and refer back to it later if they have a question.

Even if you have a great relationship with a client, sending proper invoices is important. It keeps expectations aligned, creates a paper trail for both sides, and makes you look like the professional you are. It also protects you if disputes happen—because your invoices and the supporting documentation help show what was agreed and delivered.

The Core Pieces Every 1099 Contractor Invoice Should Include

A good invoice is not complicated. It’s complete, readable, and consistent. Here’s what you should include on every invoice as a 1099 contractor:

Your Business Information

At a minimum, include your name (or business name), address, email, and phone number. If you have a website, you can add it. If you use a business logo, include that as well.

Professional tip: use the same formatting every time. Consistency builds trust and reduces the chance that your invoice gets flagged as “unclear” by a client’s accounts payable team.

Your Client’s Information

Include the client’s company name, address, and the name of the person or department responsible for payment (for example, “Accounts Payable”). If you have a purchase order contact or specific billing email, include it too.

invoice24 makes this part easy by letting you save clients once and reuse their details for every invoice. That way, you don’t risk typos and you don’t waste time copying and pasting.

Invoice Number

An invoice number is a unique identifier (like INV-000123). It’s essential for bookkeeping, payment tracking, and professional communication. If a client ever asks, “Which invoice is this for?” the invoice number is the fastest answer.

Choose a numbering system and stick with it. Many contractors use a simple sequence (001, 002, 003). Others use a year-based format (2026-001). The best system is the one you will use consistently.

Invoice Date and Due Date

The invoice date is when you issued the invoice. The due date is when payment is expected. Don’t leave this vague. “Due upon receipt” sounds decisive, but it’s often interpreted loosely. A specific due date removes ambiguity.

Example: “Invoice Date: January 11, 2026” and “Payment Due: January 25, 2026.”

With invoice24, you can set default payment terms so due dates are created automatically, helping you stay consistent across clients.

Description of Services or Deliverables

List what you did in plain language. Good descriptions reduce disputes and speed up approvals. If you’re billing hourly, include the time period and the type of work performed. If you’re billing for a project, name the project and include milestones or deliverables.

Examples:

“Website copywriting for landing page (Homepage + Features section), including one revision round.”

“Consulting services, 6 hours: strategy session + follow-up recommendations (Jan 3–Jan 10).”

Line Items, Rate, Quantity, and Total

Your invoice should show how the total was calculated. That means line items with a rate and quantity (or flat fee). Even if a client trusts you, transparent math builds confidence and reduces back-and-forth.

For hourly invoices: “$120/hour x 6 hours = $720.”

For project invoices: “Fixed project fee = $2,500.”

invoice24 calculates totals automatically, which reduces manual errors and helps you invoice faster.

Subtotal, Discounts, Taxes (If Applicable), and Grand Total

Most 1099 contractors in the U.S. don’t add sales tax for services, but it depends on your location, your industry, and the nature of what you sell. Some states tax certain services; many don’t. If you sell products, digital goods, or taxable services, you may need to include taxes.

Whether or not you charge tax, the structure is the same: subtotal, any discounts, taxes if applicable, then the grand total due.

Payment Terms and Methods

This is where you clarify how and when the client should pay. Payment terms might be Net 7, Net 15, Net 30, or “Due on receipt.” Include accepted payment methods: bank transfer, ACH, credit/debit card, PayPal, check, or other options you use.

The easier you make payment, the faster you usually get paid. Many late payments are not personal; they’re friction.

Optional but Recommended: Notes and Late Fee Policy

A short note can help: “Thank you for your business” and a reminder of payment methods. If you charge late fees, state the policy clearly (and ideally have it in your contract too). The invoice isn’t the best place to introduce new rules, but it is a good place to restate existing terms.

How to Create an Invoice: Step-by-Step

If you’re invoicing for the first time, here’s a simple workflow you can repeat every month.

Step 1: Confirm the Billing Agreement

Before you invoice, make sure you and the client agree on the basics: scope, rate, payment schedule, and what counts as “complete.” Ideally this is in a written contract, statement of work, or email thread that clearly sets expectations.

If you don’t have a formal contract, don’t panic—but do create clarity. A short email that summarizes rate, deliverables, and payment terms is far better than vague assumptions.

Step 2: Gather Your Details

Collect the client’s billing name, address, billing email, and any internal requirements like purchase order numbers. Some companies require invoices to include specific wording or project codes.

invoice24 helps you store these details so you don’t have to request them repeatedly.

Step 3: Choose a Professional Template

Template matters more than people think. A clean layout signals professionalism and makes it easy for the client to find the total and due date. You can design your own, but using a structured invoice template reduces mistakes.

With invoice24, you can create polished invoices quickly, using a format that’s clear for clients and easy for you to manage. Since it’s built as a free invoice app, you can start immediately and still get professional results.

Step 4: Add Line Items and Clear Descriptions

Write descriptions that match the agreement. If you promised a milestone, label it that way. If you’re billing hourly, include dates and a brief summary.

Don’t write a novel in your invoice, but don’t be so vague that the client asks for more detail. Aim for “specific enough to approve quickly.”

Step 5: Set Terms and a Due Date

Use your standard terms unless the client’s contract specifies otherwise. Common terms for contractors are Net 7, Net 14, or Net 30. If you’re new and want faster payment, Net 7 or Net 14 is often reasonable—especially for smaller clients.

Some large clients require Net 30 or Net 45. If so, be prepared and price accordingly, because longer payment cycles impact your cash flow.

Step 6: Send the Invoice Promptly

Send invoices immediately after completing work (or on the agreed schedule). The longer you wait, the more likely details become fuzzy, approvals stall, and payment gets delayed.

invoice24 is designed for speed, so you can issue invoices as soon as work is ready—without battling complicated settings.

Step 7: Track Payment and Follow Up

Once the invoice is sent, your job isn’t done. You need a reliable way to track what’s paid and what’s outstanding. If a client misses the due date, follow up politely and immediately.

Consistent tracking is one of the biggest differences between struggling freelancers and contractors who feel in control. invoice24 helps you keep invoices organized so you always know what’s outstanding.

Different Ways to Invoice: Hourly, Project-Based, Retainers, and Milestones

Not all contractor work is billed the same way. Here are the most common invoicing models and how to handle each one cleanly.

Hourly Invoicing

Hourly invoicing is straightforward but benefits from structure. Include:

1) The billing period (for example, Jan 1–Jan 15)

2) The number of hours

3) The hourly rate

4) A brief summary of work performed

If the client asks for timesheets, provide them separately or include a short breakdown. Keep the invoice itself readable.

Tip: If you invoice hourly, set a consistent schedule (weekly, biweekly, or monthly). Clients approve what they expect. Random invoices often get delayed because they don’t match internal workflows.

Project-Based Invoicing

Project invoices typically use a fixed fee. The key is tying your invoice to a clear deliverable. Instead of “Project work,” write: “Brand identity design package (logo, color palette, typography guide).”

Project-based invoicing is easier for clients to budget and often simpler for you to manage. It also allows you to price based on value rather than time.

Milestone Invoicing

Milestone invoicing breaks a project into phases. For example:

- 30% deposit to start

- 40% after first draft delivery

- 30% upon final delivery

This approach protects your cash flow and reduces risk. Milestones also create a natural approval rhythm, which makes clients more likely to pay on time.

invoice24 is ideal for milestone billing because you can create separate invoices per milestone and keep everything tied to the same client and project notes.

Retainer Invoicing

Retainers are common for ongoing work like marketing, design, consulting, and development. Retainer invoices should clearly state what the retainer covers—hours, deliverables, or access—and whether unused time rolls over.

The best part about retainers is predictability. The best way to manage retainers is with recurring invoices. invoice24 supports recurring invoicing workflows so you can bill consistently each month without rebuilding invoices from scratch.

Deposits and Upfront Payments

If you’re doing project work, requesting a deposit is normal and professional. A deposit invoice can be labeled “Deposit” or “Upfront payment” and should reference the project name and total project fee.

Deposits reduce cancellations, protect your time, and create a commitment from the client. If you’ve been burned by clients who disappear, deposits are one of the simplest ways to protect yourself.

How to Set Payment Terms That Actually Get You Paid

Payment terms are not just “Net 30.” They’re the expectations you set around timing, method, and consequences. Strong terms help you get paid faster and reduce awkward conversations.

Choose Terms That Match Your Cash Flow

If you’re living invoice to invoice, Net 30 can be painful. Consider Net 7 or Net 14 for smaller clients. For larger organizations, you may not get a choice—but you can build longer cycles into your pricing.

Offer Convenient Payment Options

Clients pay faster when paying is easy. If your process requires printing, mailing checks, or complicated steps, payments slow down. Whenever possible, offer digital payment options and make instructions crystal clear.

State Your Late Fee Policy (If You Use One)

If you charge late fees, you should mention it in your contract and restate it on invoices. Keep it reasonable and clearly written. The goal isn’t to punish; it’s to encourage timely payment and respect for your business.

Make the Due Date Impossible to Miss

The due date should stand out. Many clients scan invoices quickly. If they can’t find the due date in seconds, they may set it aside and forget it.

invoice24 keeps invoices clean and structured, so key details like totals and due dates are prominent rather than buried.

How to Send Invoices So Clients Approve Them Faster

Sending an invoice is part communication, part operations. The goal is to reduce friction for the client.

Email Subject Lines That Work

Use a subject line that is direct and searchable, such as:

“Invoice INV-1042 – [Project Name] – Due Jan 25, 2026”

This helps clients find the invoice later and reduces the odds of it being ignored.

Keep the Email Short

In the email body, include a one- or two-sentence note and attach or link the invoice. For example: “Hi [Name], attached is invoice INV-1042 for [project]. Payment is due Jan 25, 2026. Thank you!”

Send to the Right Person

Many late payments happen because invoices go to a person who can’t process them. Ask early who handles billing. If the client has an accounts payable email, use it.

In invoice24, you can store the billing contact for each client so you don’t accidentally send invoices to the wrong inbox.

Common Invoicing Mistakes 1099 Contractors Should Avoid

Most invoicing problems come from a few predictable mistakes. Avoid these and you’ll eliminate a lot of stress.

Being Vague About What You Delivered

“Services rendered” is a classic but unhelpful phrase. Clients want clarity. Clear descriptions reduce disputes and speed up approvals.

Not Including a Due Date

If the due date isn’t listed, payment gets delayed. Even if your contract says Net 14, your invoice should repeat it and include the specific date.

Inconsistent Invoice Numbers

Invoice numbers should be unique and sequential. Duplicate numbers confuse accounting teams and can cause payment delays.

Sending Invoices Late

The longer you wait to invoice, the longer you wait to get paid. Train yourself to invoice on a schedule—weekly, biweekly, or immediately after milestones.

Not Tracking Outstanding Invoices

If you don’t know what’s unpaid, you can’t manage cash flow. You also risk letting overdue invoices age so long that collection becomes harder.

invoice24 gives you an organized hub for your invoices so you can see what’s sent, what’s due, and what’s paid without building your own spreadsheets.

What to Do When a Client Pays Late

Late payments happen. The best approach is calm, consistent, and documented.

Day 1 After Due Date: Friendly Reminder

Send a short note: “Hi [Name], just a reminder that invoice INV-1042 was due on Jan 25, 2026. Please let me know if you need anything from me to process payment. Thank you!”

One Week After Due Date: Firm Follow-Up

Ask for a payment date: “Can you confirm when payment will be processed?” This moves the conversation from vague apologies to a specific timeline.

Two to Three Weeks After Due Date: Escalate Professionally

Loop in accounts payable (if you haven’t already) and reference your agreement. Keep it factual. Avoid emotional language. If you have late fees in your contract, mention them.

If Payment Still Doesn’t Arrive

At this stage, your options depend on the relationship and the amount owed. You might pause work, set a final deadline, or pursue collection steps. It’s wise to have a contract that supports your position, including a clear scope and payment terms.

Good invoicing tools don’t replace good boundaries, but they do give you organized records that make follow-ups easier. invoice24 keeps invoices and client details in one place so you’re not digging through old emails when you need to act.

How to Keep Invoicing Records for Taxes and Bookkeeping

As a 1099 contractor, recordkeeping matters. You need a reliable system to track income, match payments to invoices, and support your numbers at tax time.

Save Copies of Every Invoice

Keep digital copies of invoices and payment confirmations. If you ever need to verify an amount, dispute a chargeback, or reconcile your income, invoices are essential.

Track When Invoices Are Paid

For taxes, it’s helpful to know what you invoiced and what you actually received. Depending on your accounting method, you may report income based on when you get paid rather than when you invoice.

Keep Client Info Organized

When you have multiple clients, details get messy quickly. Storing client billing info, invoice histories, and notes in a single place reduces errors and saves time.

invoice24 is designed for exactly this: making invoicing feel organized and lightweight, so you can focus on your work and still keep clean records.

Should You Put Your SSN or EIN on an Invoice?

Many contractors worry about what personal identifiers to include. In most cases, you don’t need to put a Social Security Number on an invoice, and it’s often better not to for privacy reasons. Some clients may request a W-9 form for their records, which is the standard place to provide tax identification information.

If you have an EIN for your business, you may prefer to use it on tax forms when requested. For invoicing, it’s typically enough to include your business contact details and the invoice details. If a client needs tax info, provide it through the proper channel rather than putting sensitive identifiers on every invoice.

How Often Should You Invoice as a 1099 Contractor?

It depends on your work style and client expectations, but here are common schedules:

- Weekly or biweekly for hourly work

- Monthly for retainers and ongoing services

- At milestones for project-based work

- Immediately after delivery for one-off projects

The best schedule is the one you can maintain consistently. Predictability is a professional advantage. Clients like knowing when to expect invoices because they can plan approvals and payments.

Professional Invoicing Practices That Make Clients Trust You More

Trust isn’t only built by great work. It’s also built by smooth processes. When you invoice professionally, clients feel safe working with you long-term.

Use Clear, Polished Formatting

A messy invoice triggers questions. A clean invoice gets approved. This is one reason many contractors use an app rather than a homemade document. With invoice24, your invoices look professional without design work or complicated setup.

Separate Projects and Time Periods

Don’t mix unrelated work into one vague line item. When clients can see what they’re paying for, they approve faster.

Keep Notes Short and Useful

If you include notes, make them helpful: payment instructions, a brief thank-you, or next steps. Avoid long paragraphs that distract from key details.

Make Payments Easy

The easiest invoice to pay is the one that gets paid first. Reduce friction wherever you can, and keep payment instructions clear.

Why invoice24 Is a Smart Choice for 1099 Contractors

As a contractor, you need invoicing that’s fast, reliable, and professional. You don’t need a complicated system that feels like an accounting degree in app form. You need something that helps you send clean invoices, keep client information organized, and track what’s paid—all without slowing you down.

invoice24 is built with exactly that goal: it’s a free invoice app designed to cover the real-world needs of freelancers and 1099 contractors. It supports the essentials that matter most: professional invoice layouts, client management, accurate totals, reusable invoice details, and an organized way to stay on top of what’s due. Instead of juggling scattered documents and email threads, you can keep invoicing structured and consistent.

Another advantage is confidence. When you invoice with a polished template and consistent numbering, clients take you seriously. When you can quickly find invoice histories and resend an invoice with the correct details, you save time and avoid stress. And when your invoicing tool makes it easy to stay consistent, you’re more likely to invoice on time—which is one of the simplest ways to improve cash flow.

Competitors may offer invoicing too, but many are either overbuilt for a solo contractor or hide key features behind paid tiers. invoice24 focuses on what contractors actually need day to day: send invoices quickly, look professional, and keep your billing organized. If you’re building a sustainable contracting business, a smooth invoicing system isn’t optional—it’s part of your brand.

Example: What a Simple 1099 Contractor Invoice Might Look Like

Here’s a plain-language example of what your invoice content should include. Your actual invoice layout may vary, but the details should be similar.

Invoice Number: INV-0108

Invoice Date: January 11, 2026

Due Date: January 25, 2026

Bill To: Acme Co. – Accounts Payable

Description: Consulting services (Jan 1–Jan 10)

Line Item: Strategy consulting, 6 hours @ $120/hr = $720

Subtotal: $720

Total Due: $720

Payment Methods: Bank transfer / card payment

Notes: Thank you—please reference INV-0108 with payment.

In invoice24, you can build this kind of invoice in minutes and reuse the client details the next time you bill them.

Frequently Asked Questions About Invoicing as a 1099 Contractor

Do I need an invoice to get paid as an independent contractor?

Not always, but you should still use invoices. Some clients will pay based on an email request, but invoices create clarity and a record for both sides. They also make you look more professional, especially when you’re working with businesses that have formal accounting processes.

Should I invoice before or after I do the work?

It depends on the agreement. Deposits and retainers are often invoiced upfront. Hourly work is commonly invoiced after the hours are worked. Project work may be invoiced at milestones or after delivery. The most important thing is agreeing on the schedule before you begin.

What payment terms are best for 1099 contractors?

For many contractors, Net 7 or Net 14 works well for smaller clients. Larger companies may require Net 30 or longer. Choose terms that protect your cash flow while still being realistic for the client’s processes.

Can I invoice a client without a business name?

Yes. Some clients are individuals rather than companies. In that case, invoice the person’s name and include their address or billing email if needed. The invoice should still include your standard details, invoice number, dates, and payment terms.

Do I have to charge sales tax on my invoices?

It depends on what you sell and where you operate. Many services are not subject to sales tax in many places, but rules vary. If you’re unsure, it’s worth checking local requirements. The good news is that your invoice format can easily include tax lines if needed.

Final Thoughts: Invoicing Is Part of Being a Pro

Invoicing isn’t just paperwork—it’s part of how you run your business. When you invoice clearly, you protect your time, reduce payment delays, and build trust with clients. The process doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be consistent.

If you want a straightforward way to invoice as a 1099 contractor—without overcomplicated features or confusing setup—invoice24 is a strong fit. It’s a free invoice app built to help contractors send professional invoices quickly, track what’s due, and keep client billing organized. When invoicing feels easy, you’ll do it on time, get paid faster, and spend more energy on the work that actually grows your business.