In usual conditions, late payment is difficult, but it is more difficult when things are difficult. It becomes not just a financial but also an emotional burden.
Charging a late payment fee is a popular technique for dealing with late payments. Isn't that the obvious solution? You make it clear to the client that if they don't pay you now, they'll have to pay extra later.
Is it, however, that simple? Isn't there a time when it's a terrible idea? And how much do you charge if you've decided to levy a late payment fee? There is a great deal to think about. We'll go through everything in this post.
These fees should be charged according to the guidelines below. You'll better understand when it's appropriate to charge these fees if you follow the recommendations below.
1. The expectations
Clients are unique. Some clients will refuse to pay you because, well, they're lousy customers. Others will refuse to pay because they lack the funds. However, others are dissatisfied with your service. Instead of making a fuss, they express their displeasure by failing to pay you on time. They're hostile in a passive-aggressive way.
Incorporating a late payment charge into an invoice serves to exacerbate the issue. That's why, before sending an invoice, double-check that the job met the estimate. If it did, the customer is most likely happy. You may now submit your invoice together with payment conditions to avoid any unexpected late costs. Concerning that.
2. Fees awareness
Astounding charges are the fastest way to burn bridges. If your clients aren't anticipating late fines, don't add them. Instead, begin by establishing expectations via:
So, what would you charge for your services?
Assume you're thinking of imposing a late charge. Your subsequent inquiry is likely to be, "How much do I charge?" How can I figure out the interest rate? Is there a limit to how much you can spend? What is acceptable behavior and what does not?
Before we go into the answers to these concerns, it's crucial to emphasize that the late fee aims to encourage prompt payment, not to generate additional income.
As a result, set a sufficient charge to motivate individuals to act, but not so high that the customer believes you are unfair (especially if the payment is only a day or two late). It will simply sour the connection, and you will lose their business as a result.
The first step is to figure out how much interest you may charge. In the United States, for example, each state has its own set of laws. Please make sure you're familiar with them.
Calculate the monthly finance fee once you've determined the highest yearly interest rate you may charge. Double the state's maximum by 12. The monthly financing fee, for example, is 1.5 percent (18/12) if the rate is 18 percent. A penalty of $75 ($5,000 x 0.015) is applied to a $5,000 invoice 30 days late.