Bonsai Freelance Contract Template

MASTER INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR SERVICES AGREEMENT

Document ID: TR-8842-BNS Effective Date: [____/____/2026]

Instructions for Use

• Completion: This document must be completed by the Client and the Freelance Contractor prior to the commencement of services. Ensure all project scopes are defined with specificity to mitigate ambiguity.
• Filing & Retention: Both parties must retain a fully executed digital or physical copy for a minimum of seven (7) years to ensure compliance with tax audit requirements and potential litigation defense.
• Mandatory Attachments: Ensure "Exhibit A: Statement of Work (SOW)" and any relevant non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are signed and appended to this document to be considered legally binding components.

1. PARTIES

This agreement is entered into by and between: Client: [__________] ("Client") with a principal address at [__________]. Contractor: [__________] ("Contractor") with a principal address at [__________].

2. SERVICES & COMPENSATION

The Contractor agrees to perform the services outlined in the attached Statement of Work (SOW).

• Total Project Fee: [__________] USD.
• Payment Terms: [ ] Net 15 | [ ] Net 30 | [ ] Upon Milestone Completion.
• Late Fee Policy: Payments received after the due date shall accrue a late fee of [__________]% per month.

3. TERM & TERMINATION

This agreement commences on [____/____/2026] and continues until [____/____/2026] or completion of the project.

• Termination for Cause: Either party may terminate this agreement with [__________] days written notice in the event of a material breach.
• Termination for Convenience: Client may terminate with [__________] days notice, provided Contractor is compensated for all work performed to date.

4. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & OWNERSHIP

Upon full payment of the total project fee, the Contractor grants the Client exclusive ownership and all right, title, and interest in the work product created under this agreement. Contractor warrants that the work is original and does not infringe upon third-party intellectual property rights.

5. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS

The Contractor is an independent entity and is not an employee, agent, or partner of the Client. The Contractor is responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes, including self-employment taxes.

6. CONFIDENTIALITY

Contractor agrees to hold all proprietary information, trade secrets, and non-public business strategies received from the Client in strict confidence and shall not disclose such information to any third party without prior written consent.

7. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

In no event shall the Contractor's total liability exceed the total compensation paid by the Client under this agreement for the specific services provided.

8. GOVERNING LAW

This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State/Province of [__________]. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of [__________] County.

EXECUTION

Client Signature: __________________________ Printed Name: [__________] Title: [__________] Date: [____/____/2026]

Contractor Signature: __________________________ Printed Name: [__________] Title: [__________] Date: [____/____/2026]

Disclaimer: This document is provided as a standardized framework. Consult qualified legal counsel for jurisdiction-specific statutory compliance.