By Tory Vance
Introduction
An independent contractor or 1099 employee is a self-employed person contracted by other businesses for short-term or project-based services. Independent contractors have no fixed monthly income and have much more freedom to work the hours and projects they want. However, they also don’t receive the kind of perks a full-time employee might get from a company, such as health insurance, retirement savings, promotions, and bonuses. 1099 workers are also obliged to pay the estimated taxes every quarter.
1099 workers face many obstacles and challenges, one of which is the fact that they have to pay for their business expenses. If a month is slow, they struggle to manage the business while also paying their personal bills. So, many 1099 workers or independent contractors are forced to seek financial help outside their jobs. If you are a 1099 worker looking for financial aid, we will help you understand how loans for 1099 independent contractors work and which suits your situation best.
- Personal loans for 1099 workers
If your work is seasonal and you don’t have enough projects to cover all your expenses, you can take an independent contractor loan. You can use these personal loans for mortgages, health insurance, repairs, maintenance, and personal expenses. Basically, you can use them for both personal and business-related expenses. As these are unsecured loans, you have a good chance of getting accepted for such loans, and you also don’t have to provide something as collateral to the lender.
A significant benefit of personal loans is that they have a fixed repayment schedule and terms, which prepare you beforehand for repayments. The interest rates are also reasonable enough. However, your credit score will take a big hit if you miss the repayments or default on repaying your loan.
- Lines of credit
For 1099 workers, two lines of credit or loans are available, which you can try to apply for; a personal line of credit and a business line of credit. Lines of credit loans are similar to credit cards but come with cheaper interest rates. These are generally considered a wise option when your business is slow, or your personal expenses are on the higher side. You can use the business line of credit loan only for business-related expenses or purchases, while a personal line of credit can help you with all sorts of expenses.
- Payday loans
These are short-term loans for smaller amounts that you will need to pay off within 3-4 weeks. These are good only if you are looking for quick cash and are sure that you can repay the loan within the agreed-upon period with your lender. Payday loans are only short-term solutions and should be approached with caution.
- Small Business Administration Loans
If you are in the USA and have registered your business as a sole proprietorship, you could be eligible for SBA loans. Additionally, you are also eligible for the PPP or Paycheck Protection Program.
Conclusion
Being an independent contractor, you will see some slow months in your work each year. However, there are good options available in the market for 1099 workers to get financial aid. The essential criteria for all the loans listed above are to have a decent credit score, a way to prove your monthly income, and an active bank account. We hope this helps you analyze what sort of loan best suits your financial situation.
