Contractor timesheet template

A timesheet for independent contractors to record hours by client and project, attached to their invoice.

Use it on screen
Contractor timesheet templateDetailsHoursTotalsApproval🧾
How to use itThe contractor logs hours by project and sends the sheet with the invoice. The client checks and approves the hours before payment.

When you need the contractor timesheet template

Clients who pay by the hour often want to see the hours behind the invoice. A clear sheet speeds approval and avoids disputes.

Whether someone is an independent contractor or an employee depends on legal tests, not on what the paperwork calls them. If you are unsure, get advice.

15 items. Use it on screen, or print it and fill it in by hand.

Details

Hours

Totals

Approval

How to use the contractor timesheet template step by step

  1. Agree the reporting format at the start.
  2. Describe work clearly.
  3. Send with each invoice.
  4. Keep copies.
  5. Resolve questions before the next period.

The contractor timesheet on an ordinary week

A freelance bookkeeper works 22 hours for a client in April across monthly close (14 hours) and payroll setup (8 hours). The sheet goes with the invoice and the client approves it in two days.

Why it matters

Clients need a clear record of billed hours to approve invoices, and contractors need it to get paid without disputes. Keeping control of how and when the work is done with the contractor also helps support independent contractor status under IRS and state tests.

A filled-in contractor timesheet

Contractor Elena Ruiz Design LLC, Santa Fe NM
Client and PO Desert Bloom Spa, PO 1189
Period Aug 1 to Aug 31
Hours Brand refresh 18; menu redesign 7.5
Total 25.5 hours at $85 = $2,167.50
Expenses Print proofs $64, billed separately
Approval Spa owner Cara approved Sept 3

The total, 25.5 hours at $85, comes to $2,167.50, and expenses sit on a separate line so the hourly amount is not muddied. Hours are grouped by project because the spa budgets each separately.

Frequent contractor timesheet mistakes

Make the contractor timesheet fit your setup

IT consultantsAdd a ticket or request number per line so the client can match hours to their own system.
Creative freelancersAdd the round of revisions, which helps when a project goes past the agreed number.
Quick winSend a mid-period hours update on longer projects. A client who sees 30 hours coming is less surprised by the invoice.

What people ask about the contractor timesheet template

Do contractors have to keep timesheets?

Only if the contract requires it, but it helps billing.

Is overtime paid to contractors?

Overtime rules apply to employees; contractor pay follows the contract.

Can a client set hours?

Too much control can suggest employment; get advice.

What if hours are disputed?

Compare with deliverables and agree in writing.

Does an independent contractor need to submit a timesheet?

Federal law does not require it, but many clients ask for one when work is billed by the hour, and the contract can require it. A timesheet supports the invoice and helps settle disputes. It should describe the work, not follow employee-style rules like set start times.

How should a contractor describe work on a timesheet?

Write short entries tied to the deliverable, such as ‘reconciled March bank and credit card accounts, 3 hrs’, rather than ‘admin’. Group entries by project or task if the client has a budget for each. Clear descriptions make approval faster.

Useful next reads

More for the same job

You may also need

Collect it digitally, with a signature

Send the form through EZTime, collect an e-signature, and keep it in a digital employee file that reminds you when documents expire. Book a demo to see it with your team.

Disclaimer: This template is general information, not legal advice. Employment rules differ by state and city and change over time. Have a qualified employment attorney or HR professional review it before you use it.