- 1Enter details
- 2Review preview
- 3Download PDF
Pay stubs for 1099 contractors, explained
Employees get a pay stub because their employer withholds taxes. Independent contractors are paid the full invoice amount and get a Form 1099-NEC once a year, which a client can fill in with our 1099 generator. That leaves a gap when a contractor needs a record of what each client paid.
An earnings statement fills that gap honestly. It documents one payment: who paid it, who received it, the period it covers, the amount, and the running total for the year. It states that no taxes were withheld by the payer, because none were.
What to enter
- Payer. The business that paid you, with its address.
- Contractor. Your name and address as they appear on your invoices, and the invoice or payment number in the check number field.
- Payment. The amount received. Reimbursed expenses go on their own line and are added back into the net figure so they are not counted as income.
- Set-aside. Optional. A note showing how much you plan to keep back for estimated taxes. It is not a deduction.
- Pay date and frequency. The date the money arrived and how often this client pays you. The period is filled in from the date.
Independent contractor statement vs employee pay stub
| Line | Employee pay stub | Contractor earnings statement |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Employer | Client or payer |
| Earnings | Hours, rate, overtime, salary | Contract payment, reimbursements |
| Federal, Social Security, Medicare | Withheld by employer | Not withheld; paid by contractor |
| State tax | Withheld where applicable | Not withheld |
| Year-end form | W-2 | 1099-NEC |
Need an employee stub instead? Use the pay stub generator, which calculates withholding automatically.
Only for payments you actually received. A statement with invented amounts is a false document. Keep the invoice, bank record or 1099 that backs each statement. Read our acceptable use policy.
Frequently asked questions
Do independent contractors get pay stubs?
Not from the client. Clients pay invoices and report the yearly total on Form 1099-NEC. Contractors who need a record of their income create their own earnings statement from payments they actually received, which is what this tool does. Do 1099 contractors get pay stubs? What they get instead.
How do I make a pay stub for self-employed income?
Enter the client or payer, your name, the payment amount and the date it was paid. The statement shows the payment, any reimbursed expenses, a note with a suggested set-aside for estimated taxes, and year-to-date totals.
Why is there no tax withholding on a 1099 pay stub?
Payers do not withhold income tax or FICA from contractor payments. Contractors pay income tax and self-employment tax themselves, usually through quarterly estimated payments. The statement says this plainly so a reader is not misled.
What is the estimated tax set-aside?
A note on the statement suggesting how much of the payment to keep back for quarterly estimated taxes. It is not withheld and it does not change the net amount. Many contractors set aside 25% to 30%.
Can I generate several statements at once?
Yes. Choose up to six and the generator produces consecutive pay dates ending on the date you enter, with year-to-date totals carried forward, in a single PDF.