Definition
The due date is calculated from the issue date plus the payment terms — for example, an invoice issued on 1 March with Net 30 terms is due 31 March. After this date, the invoice is overdue and the seller has the right to apply late fees, charge statutory interest where applicable, and begin a recovery process.
If no due date is stated, most jurisdictions default to either 30 days from the invoice date or 'on demand' depending on local statute. Always state an explicit due date to avoid ambiguity. The due date should appear in two places on the invoice: in the header block near the issue date, and in the payment instructions block at the bottom.
Why it matters
The due date is the legal threshold that turns a normal invoice into an overdue one. It defines when you can chase, charge interest, and escalate. A missing or unclear due date weakens your recovery position before the conversation has even started.
Where this appears in your tools
The Invoice Generator requires a due date and validates it against the issue date. The Late Payment Recovery Bot uses the due date to schedule the reminder cadence.
Example
Issue date 1 April, Net 14 terms — due date is 15 April. On 16 April the invoice is one day overdue and your reminder cadence (and any late-fee policy) becomes enforceable.
Common confusion
'Net 30' usually means 30 calendar days, not 30 business days. Some buyers assume the opposite and underpay by a week. To remove ambiguity, write the explicit date on the invoice ('Due: 15 April 2025') in addition to the term.