Independent Contractor Acknowledgment

By using NeedaCrew as a Crew member, freelancer, mentor, or service provider ("you"), you acknowledge and agree to the following:

1. Independent Contractor Status

You are an independent contractor. You are not an employee, agent, partner, or joint venturer of Talent Digital LLC ("NeedaCrew") or, except as expressly agreed in a separate written contract between you and a Hirer, of any Hirer that engages you through the Platform.

2. Control Over Your Work

You retain sole control over:

• Whether to accept, decline, or negotiate any engagement.
• The means, methods, equipment, hours, and location of your work, subject only to the reasonable requirements of the project as agreed with the Hirer.
• Your rates and pricing. Any suggestions or defaults shown by the Platform are advisory only.
• Your relationships with other clients, including clients off-Platform.

3. No Employee Benefits

You are not entitled to any employee benefits from NeedaCrew, including (without limitation): wages, overtime, minimum wage, paid leave, sick leave, vacation, health insurance, retirement, workers' compensation, or unemployment insurance from NeedaCrew.

4. Taxes

You are solely responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes on amounts you earn through the Platform, including income tax and self-employment tax. NeedaCrew does not withhold taxes. NeedaCrew (or its payment processor) may issue an IRS Form 1099-K or other applicable tax form when statutory thresholds are met. You agree to provide a valid Form W-9 or W-8 on request.

5. Your Own Tools, Insurance, and Compliance

You are responsible for: (a) your own tools and equipment unless rented through the Platform; (b) your own business licenses and registrations; (c) your own liability and health insurance; and (d) compliance with all laws applicable to your services, including occupational safety, immigration, and tax laws.

6. No Exclusivity

NeedaCrew does not require you to work exclusively for any Hirer or for the Platform. You are free to provide services through other channels and to compete with the Platform.

7. Engagement Contracts

For each engagement of $800 or more, you and the Hirer shall execute a written contract specifying scope, deliverables, payment, and timing. The Platform may auto-generate such a contract; you may modify it by mutual agreement with the Hirer.

8. Non-Discrimination

You agree not to discriminate against any Hirer or other User on the basis of any protected class. NeedaCrew prohibits discrimination on its Platform.

9. Right to Reject Without Penalty

You may decline any engagement for any lawful reason. NeedaCrew will not penalize you for declining work. NeedaCrew may, however, suspend or terminate accounts for violations of the Terms of Service, the AUP, or this Acknowledgment.

10. Acknowledgment

You acknowledge that you have read this Acknowledgment, understand it, and agree to its terms. You confirm that no NeedaCrew representative has made any promise inconsistent with this Acknowledgment.

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By clicking "I Agree" or by accepting Crew engagements through the Platform, you accept this Acknowledgment.