Payment Reminder Letter
Polite, firmer or final reminders for an overdue invoice, with days overdue.
About this tool
Enter the invoice number, amount and due date, the client's name and how they can pay. Pick the stage: friendly first reminder, firmer second reminder or final notice. The tool works out how many days overdue it is, sets a pay-by date and writes the email with a subject line. For UK business clients, the final notice can mention statutory late-payment interest.
How to chase a late payment
Most late invoices are forgotten rather than deliberately unpaid, so start friendly. A short reminder a few days after the due date, with the invoice attached and the payment details right there, gets most invoices paid. If there's no reply, send a firmer second reminder a week or two later. Restate the amount and how long it's overdue, ask for payment by a specific date, and invite them to say if there's a problem with the invoice. A final notice sets a clear deadline and says what happens next. In the UK, businesses chasing other businesses can claim statutory interest under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, plus fixed compensation of Β£40 for debts under Β£1,000, Β£70 up to Β£9,999.99 and Β£100 above that. The final notice can mention this. Keep every message polite and factual. Phone as well as email, since a quick call often resolves things. Keep a record of each reminder in case you need to escalate to a formal letter before action or a small claim. Prevention helps too: clear payment terms on the invoice, deposits for big jobs, card payment links and prompt invoicing all speed payment up. Honest limits: this isn't legal advice. Consumer debts and other countries have different rules, so only mention steps you're actually prepared to take. The late payment interest calculator, the invoice generator and the proposal generator are related.
Frequently asked questions
How do I politely remind a client to pay?
Send a short, friendly email soon after the due date with the invoice number, amount, due date and payment details, and ask when you can expect payment.
How many payment reminders should I send?
Usually a friendly first reminder, a firmer second one 1β2 weeks later, then a final notice with a deadline before taking further action.
Can I charge interest on late payments?
In the UK, businesses can claim statutory interest at 8% over base rate plus Β£40βΒ£100 compensation from other businesses. Rules differ elsewhere.
Is my draft stored?
Only in this browser, so you can reuse it. It's never uploaded.