Can I use an electronic signature?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted. Ensure intent to sign, consent to electronic records, attribution to the signer, and durable record retention.

Is notarization required for validity?

Generally no for most service agreements, but notarization may be required for specific filings or to create a self-proving record in some jurisdictions. Check state rules before notarizing.

What if names or tax IDs don't match?

Mismatched names or incorrect TINs can trigger backup withholding and IRS reporting problems. Collect an accurate W-9 before payment to reduce withholding risk.

How long must I keep the signed agreement?

Retention depends on purpose: retain for the contract term plus at least three years for tax purposes (IRC §6501(a)); healthcare records require six years (45 CFR §164.530(j)).

Can I revoke or amend the agreement after signing?

Amendments require mutual consent and should be documented in a signed amendment. Revocation without cause may breach contract terms and incur damages.

Who is authorized to sign for a sole proprietor?

The sole proprietor must sign personally or an expressly authorized agent may sign with written authorization; include signature block showing printed name, title, and date.

Solepro Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

SOLEPRO AGREEMENT

This Solepro Agreement ("Agreement") is made effective as of by and between Sole Proprietor: with a principal place of business at , and Client Name: with a principal place of business at .

WHEREAS

WHEREAS, Sole Proprietor is engaged in the business of providing professional services, including but not limited to the services described in the Scope of Work below; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to engage Sole Proprietor to perform such services on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and Sole Proprietor agrees to provide such services.

WHEREAS, the parties intend for this Agreement to set forth their entire understanding with respect to the services and compensation described herein.

SCOPE OF WORK

Sole Proprietor will provide the services, deliverables and performance standards described below. The parties may modify the Scope of Work only by a written amendment signed by both parties.

Detailed Scope of Work

PAYMENT TERMS

In consideration for the services rendered by Sole Proprietor, Client shall pay Sole Proprietor in accordance with the following terms.

Total Compensation Payment Schedule Invoices and Payment Terms

Sole Proprietor shall submit invoices in accordance with the Payment Schedule. Unless otherwise stated on an invoice, Client shall pay invoices within days of receipt.

Late Payment

Any undisputed amount not paid when due shall accrue interest at the lesser of (i) per month or (ii) the maximum rate permitted by law. In addition, Client shall be responsible for reasonable collection costs and attorneys' fees incurred in enforcing payment.

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement shall commence on and shall continue until unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Agreement.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon written notice to the other party provided at least prior to the effective date of termination. Either party may terminate immediately for material breach that remains uncured for fifteen (15) days after written notice of such breach.

CONFIDENTIALITY

"Confidential Information" means non-public information disclosed by one party to the other that is designated as confidential or that, under the circumstances, ought reasonably to be treated as confidential. Each party shall: (a) use Confidential Information solely for the purposes of performing obligations under this Agreement; (b) restrict disclosure of Confidential Information to its employees and contractors who have a need to know and who are bound by confidentiality obligations no less protective than those hereunder; and (c) exercise at least the same degree of care to protect Confidential Information as it uses to protect its own confidential information, but in no event less than reasonable care.

Confidentiality obligations under this section shall survive termination or expiration of this Agreement for a period of unless a longer period is required by applicable law.

OWNERSHIP OF WORK PRODUCT

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Sole Proprietor grants Client a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide license to use deliverables produced under this Agreement for Client's internal business purposes upon full payment of all fees due. Sole Proprietor retains ownership of pre-existing materials, tools, methodologies, and general skills, knowledge and experience, including know-how and trade secrets developed or used by Sole Proprietor in performing the services.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR; TAXES

Sole Proprietor is an independent contractor and is solely responsible for all taxes, withholdings, insurance and other statutory obligations arising from payments made under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement creates an employment, agency, partnership or joint venture relationship between the parties.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Except for liability arising from gross negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of confidentiality, neither party will be liable to the other for incidental, consequential, special or punitive damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and aggregate liability of either party shall not exceed the total amount paid by Client to Sole Proprietor under this Agreement during the twelve (12) months preceding the claim.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, including any exhibits or attachments signed by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written. No amendment or modification shall be binding unless executed in writing by both parties.

MISCELLANEOUS

If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. Notices under this Agreement shall be given in writing to the addresses set forth above (or to such other address as either party may designate in writing) and shall be effective upon delivery.

Sole Proprietor:

By:

Date:

Client:

By:

Date:

What the Solepro Agreement Covers

A Solepro Agreement is a written contract used when a sole proprietor provides services or goods to a client. It defines scope of work, payment terms, timelines, intellectual property allocation, indemnities, and termination rights. The document identifies the sole proprietor, the hiring party, and any subcontracting permissions, and it establishes governing law and dispute resolution. Properly completed, the agreement reduces misunderstandings, supports payment and tax reporting, and creates an evidentiary record for enforcement and retention obligations under applicable federal and state law.

Why a Clear Solepro Agreement Matters

A concise written agreement clarifies expectations, reduces payment disputes, and supports tax and regulatory compliance. It creates a record for billing, 1099 reporting, and potential audits while protecting intellectual property and limiting liability under state contract law.

Who Typically Uses a Solepro Agreement

Common users include individual contractors, consultants, small business owners, and clients hiring one-person service providers.

Independent contractors and freelancers providing recurring or project-based services to businesses and consumers.
Small business owners who buy services from sole proprietors and need clear payment and deliverable terms.
Accounting or HR teams that collect documentation for 1099 reporting and vendor onboarding.

Use this agreement when engagement details, payment terms, intellectual property allocation, or tax reporting require a written record.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Solepro Agreement

A well-structured Solepro Agreement groups related clauses to make responsibilities, payments, and legal effects clear to all parties.

Parties

Full legal name and business name of the sole proprietor and the hiring party, including mailing address and taxpayer identification details.

Scope of Work

Detailed description of services, deliverables, milestones, and acceptance criteria so performance expectations are unambiguous and measurable.

Compensation

Payment amount or rate, schedule, invoicing procedure, late-fee terms, and whether expenses are reimbursable or included.

Intellectual Property

Clauses specifying which party owns work product, licensing grants, and any assignment of copyright or patent rights.

Confidentiality & Compliance

Nondisclosure obligations, data-handling rules (HIPAA or other requirements if applicable), and remedies for breaches.

Termination & Dispute Resolution

Notice periods, cure rights, final accounting, and choice-of-law or arbitration clauses for disputes.

Step-by-Step: Completing and Executing a Solepro Agreement

Follow these sequential steps from drafting through signature to ensure the agreement is enforceable and properly recorded.

01

Draft: Prepare terms and required fields.
02

Review: Have both parties read and confirm scope and payment.
03

Sign: Collect signatures and dates from all parties.
04

Distribute: Send executed copies to all parties and retain records.

Configuring an Online Workflow for the Agreement

Set up a digital workflow to collect, verify, and store signed Solepro Agreements securely and consistently.

Field	Configuration
Signature Field	Required; captures signer name and timestamp
Date Field	Auto-fill current date or require signer input
Attachment Field	Allow upload of W-9, insurance certificates, or licenses
Authentication	Email or SMS code; use stronger methods for sensitive engagements

Where to Send or File a Completed Solepro Agreement

Route executed agreements to the appropriate recipients and record systems for accounting, tax reporting, and legal retention.

Client: Provide an executed copy to the hiring party
Contractor: Retain signed original for your records
Accounting: Send copy to accounts payable/receivable
Secure Archive: Store a tamper-evident PDF in your document system

Digital Signing and File Format Considerations

Choose a platform that supports PDF and DOCX, provides an audit trail, and integrates with your storage or accounting systems.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
Integrations: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, NetSuite
Authentication: Email, SMS, or advanced methods

Ensure the signed file includes a completion certificate or audit trail that records signer identity, timestamps, and IP address for evidentiary purposes.

Typical Timing and Deadlines to Track

Agree explicit timelines in the contract and track key deadlines to avoid disputes and late fees.

Signature Window:

Response requested within 7–14 days of delivery

Payment Due:

Follow the contract's specified net terms, commonly net 30

Notice Period:

30-day notice commonly required for termination

Tax Reporting:

Collect W-9 before first payment to avoid backup withholding

Record Retention:

Retain executed agreement per retention rules

Key Milestones from Negotiation to Close

A milestone view helps teams coordinate deliverables, invoicing, and archival steps for a single engagement.

01

Negotiation

Finalize scope and pricing before drafting

02

Execution

Collect signatures and effective date

03

Delivery

Complete deliverables and obtain acceptance

04

Final Accounting

Issue final invoice and close file

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Agreement

Using vague scope language that leads to disputes over deliverables and payment.
Failing to collect a W-9 or correct TIN, which can trigger backup withholding and reporting problems.
Omitting payment schedule details, late fees, or invoice procedures that cause collection delays.
Not specifying governing law or dispute resolution, leaving parties unclear on enforcement pathways.

Consequences of Errors or Missing Information

Backup Withholding: 24% withholding may apply

1099 Penalties: Late-filing fines under IRC §6721

I-9 Violations: $281–$2,789 per violation

Contract Disputes: Damages or specific performance risk

Data Breach: HIPAA or state privacy exposure

Enforceability: Ambiguous terms may be invalidated

Essential Data Elements to Collect

Full Legal Name: Exact government name

Business Name: DBA or registered name

Tax ID: SSN or EIN

Address: Street, city, state, ZIP

Service Description: Concise deliverable summary

Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY format

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

The following high-level comparison shows starting prices and common feature availability. Confirm current plan details with each vendor before purchase.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

FAQs and Troubleshooting for the Solepro Agreement

Answers to common questions about execution, e-signing, notarization, retention, and disputing terms related to a Solepro Agreement.

Need help? Contact support

Can I use an electronic signature?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the federal ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted. Ensure intent to sign, consent to electronic records, attribution to the signer, and durable record retention.
Is notarization required for validity?
Generally no for most service agreements, but notarization may be required for specific filings or to create a self-proving record in some jurisdictions. Check state rules before notarizing.
What if names or tax IDs don't match?
Mismatched names or incorrect TINs can trigger backup withholding and IRS reporting problems. Collect an accurate W-9 before payment to reduce withholding risk.
How long must I keep the signed agreement?
Retention depends on purpose: retain for the contract term plus at least three years for tax purposes (IRC §6501(a)); healthcare records require six years (45 CFR §164.530(j)).
Can I revoke or amend the agreement after signing?
Amendments require mutual consent and should be documented in a signed amendment. Revocation without cause may breach contract terms and incur damages.
Who is authorized to sign for a sole proprietor?
The sole proprietor must sign personally or an expressly authorized agent may sign with written authorization; include signature block showing printed name, title, and date.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now