Freelance payment laws · New York · Checked Oct 10, 2026

New York's Freelance Isn't Free Acts, city and state.

New York City has protected freelancers since 2017, and the whole state since August 28, 2024. Both say the same four things: a written contract, pay within 30 days, no paying less to be paid on time, no punishing you for asking.

Before you startGet it in writing The contract, with the payment date. Ask for it in writing, so there's a record you did.
Work doneSend your invoiceInvoice the day you finish, so the 30 days and your due date line up.
Day 30Payment dueOr the date you agreed in writing.
Not paidRemind, then complain NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, within 2 years.

What the law says

	New York City Freelance Isn't Free Act · since May 15, 2017	New York State Freelance Isn't Free Act · since Aug 28, 2024
Applies at	$800: one contract, or all of this client's contracts in the 120 days before	$800: one contract, or all of this client's contracts in the 120 days before
Who	A person working alone as an independent contractor, incorporated or not. Not lawyers, licensed medical professionals or sales representatives.	A person working alone as an independent contractor. Not lawyers, licensed medical professionals, construction contractors or sales representatives.
Contract	In writing, a copy for each of you, with: both names and mailing addresses the work, itemized, with its value, rate and how you're paid the payment date, or how it's set City model contract (PDF)	In writing, a copy to you, with: both names and mailing addresses the work, itemized, with its value, rate and how you're paid the payment date, or how it's set the date you list your finished work by NY Department of Labor model agreement
Paid by	By the date in the contract, or within 30 days after you finish.	By the date in the contract, or within 30 days after you finish.
Records	Each of you keeps a copy; no set period.	Your client keeps the contract 6 years.
Also	They can't make paying on time depend on you taking less. They can't punish you for using the law.	They can't make paying on time depend on you taking less. They can't punish you for using the law.
If not	Double damages for late or missing pay $250 for no written contract, if you asked for one The contract's value for retaliation Your lawyer's fees	Double damages for late or missing pay $250 for no written contract, if you asked for one Your lawyer's fees State penalties of $1,000 to $3,000, up to $25,000 for a pattern
Complain to	NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, within 2 years; sue within 6 years for pay	New York Attorney General; sue within 6 years for pay
The law	NYC Admin. Code §§ 20-927 to 20-936 (Local Law 140 of 2016). NYC DCWP: Freelance Isn't Free Act · Local Law 140 of 2016 (text)	N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law §§ 1410-1415. N.Y. GBL Article 44-A (NY Senate) · NY Department of Labor: in effect Aug 28, 2024 · Chapter amendment S8039/A8535 (2024)

Two acts, one rule of thumb

If you work in New York City, both acts can apply to the same job. They agree on the contract, the 30 days and the double damages; they differ on who enforces them and how long your client keeps the paper. The state act also leaves out construction contractors, which the city's covers.

The record so far

Since 2017 the city has taken 4,832 freelancer complaints and recovered over $3.5 million, including $528,817 for 350 freelancers from a single production company (DCWP, Feb 24, 2026).

General information from the law's own text, not legal advice. For your case, ask the agency named above or a lawyer.

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