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The Daily Insight

How to register with the IRS as an independent contractor?

Author

Andrew Ramirez

Published Mar 04, 2026

How to Register With the IRS as an Independent Contractor To set yourself up as a self-employed taxpayer with the IRS, you simply start paying estimated taxes (on Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals) and file Schedule C, Profit or Loss From Business, and Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax, with your Form 1040 tax return each April.

Do you have to file a W-9 with an independent contractor?

If you receive a W-9 form with a FATCA exemption code and you know the person is a specified U.S. person, you can’t rely on the form to treat the person as exempt from FATCA reporting. 3  Reporting W-9 income. You must have a W-9 on file for each independent contractor so that you don’t have to withhold income taxes from that individual.

When to file Form 1099-nec for independent contractors?

If your client were a real estate developer, however, they’d have to send you a Form 1099-NEC for the beautiful topiary you made for their building’s front lawn. For the past 38 years, businesses filed Form 1099-MISC to report payments to independent contractors. Form 1099-NEC replaces 1099-MISC for this purpose starting in 2020.

Is there a Schedule C for self employed?

For tax year 2019 and beyond, the Schedule C-EZ is no longer used. Only the Schedule C can be used. If you are reporting self-employment expenses you have to use the TurboTax Self-Employed online edition.

Can a gig worker be classified as an independent contractor?

Proper classification can prove particularly difficult for “gig workers” who work for online hiring platforms like Uber, Lyft, TaskRabbit, Upwork, Postmates, and many others. Gig workers are usually classified as independent contractors by their online hiring platforms.

How to become a certified independent contractor ( IC )?

1 Make Sure You Really Are an IC. First, make sure you are an independent contractor and not an employee. 2 Choose a Business Name. 3 Get a Tax Registration Certificate. 4 Getting a Vocational License. 5 Pay Estimated Income and Self-Employment Taxes. 6 As Your Business Grows. …

What makes you an independent contractor or employee?

First, make sure you are an independent contractor and not an employee. You’re an independent contractor if you’re in business for yourself. You’re an employee if you w ork for someone else’s business and are subject to their control. If you’re treated like an employee, you should be classified like one by the business you work for.