Payment reminder: when and how to remind about an overdue invoice
24 July 2026 · 5 min read
A payment reminder is sent when an invoice is overdue and no payment has arrived. The reminder repeats the original invoice, its due date and the open amount, and asks for payment within a new deadline. Here is when and how to remind, what the due date and payment term mean, and how late-payment interest arises.
Due date and payment term in plain words
The payment term tells how many days the customer has to pay the invoice. A common payment term is for example fourteen days net, so the due date is fourteen days from the invoice date. The due date is the day by which the invoice has to be paid. When the due date passes and no payment shows up, the invoice is overdue and you can send a reminder.
When it is worth sending a reminder
It is worth allowing a few days of leeway after the due date, because a payment may be on its way. If no payment shows up about a week after the due date, send a friendly reminder. Often it is just an oversight, and a reminder alone is enough. If payment still doesn't come, you can send a second, firmer reminder.
What a payment reminder contains
- A reference to the original invoice: the invoice number and date
- The original due date and the open amount
- A new payment deadline and the payment details
- A mention of possible late-payment interest and reminder charges
Late-payment interest and reminder charges
When an invoice is paid late, the seller is in principle entitled to charge late-payment interest. Late-payment interest is determined under the Interest Act, and its size depends on the reference rate in force and on whether the customer is a business or a consumer. Don't guess the percentage: check the late-payment interest in force and the conditions for collection from a reliable source before you charge it. Likewise, under certain conditions a reasonable reminder charge may be collected. These rules are worth confirming, so that you charge only what you are entitled to.
How payment tracking helps
Reminding works only if you notice the overdue invoice. In Haimoo Invoice's payment tracking you mark an invoice as paid when the money comes, and you see at a glance which invoices are open and which are already overdue. That way the reminder goes out in time and no receivable is left hanging unnoticed.
- You see open and overdue invoices in one view
- You mark a payment received, so the invoice leaves the open list
- You notice right away which invoice is worth reminding about
A clear due date, a reasonable payment term and regular tracking keep receivables in check. You can start invoicing in Haimoo Invoice for free, and payment tracking helps you notice the overdue ones. The exact conditions for late-payment interest and reminder charges are always worth confirming from the legislation in force.