Tax advice for a freelancer, contractor, and full-time employee [more inside]
posted by lunalaguna on Dec 14, 2009 - 3 answers

Tell me what I need to do, or which bums I need to kiss, to write a storyline for a video game. [more inside]
posted by metalheart on Jul 8, 2009 - 15 answers

Freelance Filter: I've resigned due to timeline pressures, the arrival of another awesome opportunity, and the fact that I'm 8 months pregnant. I've done six weeks of work which have contributed social capital and goodwill to the project, and organizational/planning work which will be of benefit to my replacement. The "contract" we signed was vague and was only really a statement of work, rather than conditions. In my letter of resignation I proposed to keep 20% of the 1st payment for the work done to date. The team that hired me wants all the money back, I think mainly because they're deeply disappointed that I have quit. It's not like I've been sitting on my hands, and my work to date will benefit them. Before I hand over all my work to date and write the cheque to refund the 50%, how should I word my request that they reconsider allowing me to keep a portion of the fee? (Giant background story included, to explain the usual & unusual complications which lead to my departure.) [more inside]
posted by Mrs Hilksom on Mar 26, 2009 - 22 answers

I'm a web developer and have been working the same job for 9 years. Recently, due to challenging economic circumstances, I've decided to start looking for freelance work to supplement my income, if not replace it. Are you a freelance web developer or designer? If so, where do you go to find work online? [more inside]
posted by Vorteks on Mar 14, 2009 - 13 answers

I'm being asked to do a freelance project and I have no idea what I'm doing! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 4, 2009 - 12 answers

I am a freelance video editor and I am being asked to work on spec (as in do the work and the producers will pay for my work if they like it). I want to draft some sort of contract outlining what I am doing, and their use of my work if they do like it, but I don't know exactly what I should include in a contract like this. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
posted by helios410 on Feb 15, 2009 - 6 answers

What's the going rate for a PHP developer in NYC? [more inside]
posted by defreckled on Sep 9, 2008 - 9 answers

Tips for finding well-paying photography gigs? [more inside]
posted by sixcolors on Jul 3, 2008 - 12 answers

How do I work "on retainer" without screwing myself or making my client unhappy? [more inside]
posted by foxy_hedgehog on Dec 27, 2007 - 4 answers

I'm a coder, with skills in python, ruby, rails, java, etc. I've recently started getting offers for (and accepting) short-term contract work in addition to my longer-term dayjob contract. However, I'm unsure what the going rate is for the work I do - how much should I charge on a per-hourly basis? How does this vary with respect to the length of the contract (eg, a day, a week, a month, six months)? [more inside]
posted by ysabet on Nov 30, 2007 - 5 answers

Please help me resolve this mess I made for myself at work. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 29, 2007 - 5 answers

About a year ago I agreed (verbally) to do some programming work for a startup in exchange for a small amount of equity. In the meantime I've lost faith that this equity will be worth anything. Can I decline to do this work, or have I made a binding verbal contract that I must now fulfill? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 25, 2007 - 15 answers

Seeking Sample Freelance Contract Suitable for Filling-in-the-Blanking. A few weeks ago I posted this and got all kinds of good advice and cheerleading (thanks to all!). It worked- I had a great time chatting up Mr. Big and they agreed to pay me what I- with bated breath- asked for. Now I need to find a contract to make it legal and am hoping one of you has a sample or suggestions on where to find one. [more inside]
posted by foxy_hedgehog on May 23, 2007 - 3 answers

I have been freelancing as TV producer for one company for over 6 months now working on various projects. The boss thinks he needs me to stand down for a few weeks to keep my independent contractor status. All of the IRS info I have found is vague on the point of continuous employment. How long will I have to stand down (aka take the vacation I want to take) before I can return to this company? And legally how long is too long to be a contactor for one company (when does the IRS question contractor vs. employee)?
posted by mcbietila on Mar 13, 2007 - 12 answers

I'm trying to recover a debt owed to me (currently $1300+) by a client for whom I worked as an independent tech contractor in 2002-03. He's very slowly paid off a lot of the original debt ($5000), but he stopped making the payments almost two months ago with no explanation, and has been completely non-responsive to all my contact attempts ever since. It's a matter of very high personal importance that I recover the full debt in this case (because this is a very slimy guy, and because his company could not have started up or earned money without my work). I also need the money, so this is not something I can walk away from in that sense either. [more inside]
posted by allterrainbrain on Jul 5, 2006 - 16 answers

Does anyone have any experience or first-hand knowledge about working for the AcademicWord company? Is it a legitimate operation or is it too good to be true? I'm confident I have the skills, do they pay their bills? (MI) [more inside]
posted by loquacious on May 23, 2005 - 2 answers

I'm currently on maternity leave from a job that I love. I had planned on returning to work once my leave was up, but I've now made the decision to stay home with my baby. However, I would still like to work for my current employer on a freelance basis. What's the best way to break the news to them that I'm not coming back while hopefully leaving the door open for future freelance/contract work? I don't want to burn any bridges.
posted by anonymous on Feb 8, 2005 - 12 answers

So you're self-employed, and you sign a contract for a moderate-sized, long-term gig (worth $5,000 or so/year), and...you lose your copy of the contract. Your relations with this company over the years have been overwhelmingly friendly and positive. What do you do? Just ask them nicely for a copy?
posted by anonymous on Jan 22, 2005 - 12 answers