DBA Act checklist 2025

Use this checklist for every new freelancer engagement to detect false self-employment risk early.

• Document that the freelancer controls how work is executed.
• Avoid fixed schedules and mandatory presence that mirror employee rosters.
• Include a real substitution clause without prior approval.
• Reduce organizational embedding (no internal job title, no employee benefits).
• Use clear deliverables and milestone-based invoicing.
• Check entrepreneurship signals: multiple clients, own tools, own risk.
• Run periodic reviews of day-to-day practice, not just contract wording.