Contractor InvoicingHow-to

How to Invoice as a 1099 Contractor

Learn what to include on a 1099 contractor invoice, when to send it, and how to keep invoice records organized for payment and tax season.

By Reinvoice Team
··2 min read

Quick answer

To invoice as a 1099 contractor, send a professional invoice that lists your business details, client details, invoice number, issue date, payment due date, line items, total amount due, and payment instructions. Keep a copy of every invoice and payment record so your income is easier to reconcile during tax season.

A 1099 contractor invoice is a payment request and a record of work performed. It should make the client confident about what they are paying for and give you a clear record when you reconcile income later.

What to include on a 1099 contractor invoice#

Include your legal name or business name, client name, invoice number, invoice date, due date, service description, quantity or hours, rate, total amount due, and payment instructions. If the work happened under a contract or statement of work, reference that project name too.

Use clear line items#

Avoid vague descriptions like “contract work.” Write line items a client can approve without asking follow-up questions, such as “On-site electrical repair, May 12” or “Monthly bookkeeping support for May.”

Set payment terms before the work starts#

Common contractor terms are due on receipt, Net 7, Net 15, or Net 30. Shorter terms are easier for small jobs and repeat clients. Longer terms may be expected by larger companies, but they should be agreed to before you send the invoice.

Keep records for each invoice#

Save the invoice, the date it was sent, payment status, payment date, and any client messages about the invoice. Reinvoice helps by keeping invoices, customer details, statuses, PDFs, and related records in one place.

Before you send the invoice#

Check that the client name is correct, the due date matches your agreement, every line item is specific, and the total matches the work delivered. Then send the invoice and keep the PDF for your records.

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