Whereas the Client is launching a new consumer brand and wishes to commission a complete visual identity and a marketing website to support that launch;
Whereas the Contractor is an independent professional designer who offers brand-identity and web-design services and operates an established design practice serving clients of this kind;
Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises below, the Client and the Contractor (each a "Party," together the "Parties") agree as follows.
The Client will not withhold income tax, Social Security, Medicare, or any other payroll tax from amounts paid to the Contractor, and will not provide any employee benefits — no health insurance, paid leave, retirement contribution, workers' compensation, or unemployment coverage.
The Contractor is solely responsible for all federal, state, and self-employment taxes on the fees paid here. The Client will report total compensation on IRS Form 1099-NEC, and the Contractor will furnish a completed Form W-9 before the first payment.
The three installments are 30% + 40% + 30% of the $14,000 fixed fee: $4,200 + $5,600 + $4,200 = $14,000. No installment is owed before its trigger is met, and the final 30% is the gate that releases the intellectual-property assignment under Article 6.
The Parties agree that written approval by email is binding for milestone sign-off and change orders. Each Party names a single point of contact at kickoff with authority to approve work, so a decision is never blocked waiting on the wrong person.