Since September 1, 2022, a business that hires you for work in Seattle, at $600 or more in a year, must tell you the terms in writing before you start and pay within 30 days unless you agreed otherwise.
What happens when
Before you startGet it in writingYour client's written notice of the work, rate and payment schedule.
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 complainSeattle Office of Labor Standards, within 3 years.
What the law says
Seattle
Independent Contractor Protections Ordinance · since
Applies at
$600: from this client in a calendar year, as the city's page says; the code ties it to the federal 1099 minimum, now $2,000, so ask the city
Who
An independent contractor who does any of the work in Seattle. Not lawyers.
Contract
No set contract. Before work starts, a written notice of the work, rate, expenses and payment schedule, and with each payment an itemized notice.
City model notices
Paid by
As agreed, or within 30 days after you finish.
Records
Your client keeps records 3 years.
Also
They can't make paying on time depend on you taking less.
They can't punish you for using the law.
If not
Up to twice what's unpaid, plus 12% a year interest
Seattle doesn't require a contract. It requires a written notice before work starts (the work, the rate, expenses, deductions and the payment schedule) and an itemized notice each time you're paid. Washington has no statewide law.
General information from the
law's own text, not legal advice. For your case, ask the agency named above or a lawyer.