How to Write Payment Terms on an Invoice

Clear payment terms reduce confusion and get you paid faster.

Updated March 9, 2026 by invoice.Now.

Where to Put Payment Terms

Payment terms belong in a visible, dedicated section of the invoice. The two most common placements are:

Near the top, next to the invoice date and due date. This is where most clients look first.
In the notes or terms section at the bottom, where you can include additional detail like accepted payment methods and late fee policies.

Using both locations is perfectly fine. State the key term (e.g., "Net 30") near the dates, and expand on details in the notes section.

What to Include

Effective payment terms cover four things:

When payment is due. State the term (Net 30, Due on Receipt) and the exact due date.
How to pay. List accepted payment methods: bank transfer, credit card, check, online payment link.
Where to send payment. If paying by bank transfer, include account details or a payment link.
What happens if payment is late. If your contract and local law allow late fees or interest, state when they apply and how they are calculated.

Sample Payment Terms

Simple and Direct

"Payment due within 30 days of invoice date. Please remit payment by April 4, 2026."

With Payment Method

"Net 30. Payment due by April 4, 2026. Accepted methods: bank transfer or credit card. Bank details are listed below."

With Late Fee Policy

"Payment is due within 15 days of the invoice date. If payment is late, the late fee or interest allowed by our agreement and applicable law will apply after the due date."

With Early Payment Discount

"Net 30. A 2% discount applies if payment is received within 10 days. Full amount due by April 4, 2026."

Due on Receipt

"Payment is due upon receipt of this invoice. Please process payment at your earliest convenience."

Tips for Writing Payment Terms

Be specific. "Net 30" is clear. "Please pay promptly" is not.
Always include the actual due date. Do not make clients calculate it from the invoice date and terms.
Use plain language. Not every client knows what "Net 30" means. Adding "due within 30 days" alongside the term helps.
Agree on terms before starting work. Payment terms should not be a surprise on the first invoice.
Keep it professional. Avoid threatening language about late payments. A simple, factual statement of your policy is sufficient.

Late-fee and interest rules vary by contract and jurisdiction, so treat the sample wording above as a drafting example rather than legal advice. For a deeper explanation of Net 30 and other standard terms, see What Is Net 30?. To understand how dates and terms work together, read Invoice Date vs Due Date.

Create an invoice with professional payment terms