Late payment is usually a process problem, not a client problem.
What every invoice needs
- Your name or business name and address
- The client's full legal entity name
- A unique sequential invoice number
- Issue date and due date
- Line-by-line description of work
- Amount, currency, and any tax
- Payment details and accepted methods
Terms that work
Fourteen days beats thirty. Invoice the day the work finishes, not at month end. State a late fee in the contract, even if you rarely use it — its presence changes behaviour.
Chase early and neutrally
A short reminder on day one after the due date, phrased administratively, resolves most late payments without friction.
Common questions
What payment terms should a freelancer use?
Fourteen days is a reasonable default. Thirty is common but slower, and sixty should be pushed back on.
Do I need to charge tax on international invoices?
It depends on your country's rules for exported services. Check with a local accountant once and apply it consistently.