Work

How to chase an invoice that's overdue

Three tones for asking to be paid, from a gentle nudge to a real deadline.

3 min read

When to use this

An invoice has gone past its due date and the client has gone quiet. The trap is either saying nothing until it's awkward, or opening with an accusation that reads as a threat to someone you actually want to keep as a client.

Three variants

Same situation, three different stances.

Short

Hi [Client name],

Just flagging that invoice [invoice number] for [amount], due [due date], hasn't come through yet. No rush on the explanation, but could you confirm a date it'll be paid by? Happy to resend the invoice or the payment details if that's easier.

Thanks,
[Your name]

Warm

Hi [Client name],

Hope things are going well on your end. I noticed invoice [invoice number], for [amount], is now past its due date of [due date]. These things slip through, so just a friendly nudge: could you let me know when payment's likely to land? Glad to resend anything you need on my side.

Best,
[Your name]

Firm

Hi [Client name],

Invoice [invoice number] for [amount] is now well past its due date of [due date]. Please arrange payment within the next five business days. If there's a reason for the delay I haven't heard about, let me know today so we can sort it before it becomes a bigger conversation.

[Your name]

Why this works

Puts the exact number and amount in the first line, so there's nothing to look up before replying.
Asks for a date rather than a yes or no, which is much harder to leave unanswered.
Offers to resend the invoice, removing 'I can't find it' as a reason to stay quiet.
Escalates the deadline gradually across the three tones instead of jumping straight to a threat.

Before you send

What to change.

[Client name]: The client or contact you're billing.
[invoice number]: Your invoice number or reference.
[amount]: The amount owed.
[due date]: The date the invoice was actually due.
[Your name]: Sign with your own name, or your company's.

Questions

Fair questions, straight answers.

How long should I wait before sending the firm version?

Give the short version a few days to land, then the warm one a week or so after. Save the firm version for once it's overdue by several weeks.

What if the client disputes the amount?

Stop chasing and start a conversation instead. A dispute needs a real reply addressing the specific charge, rather than another automatic nudge.

Where Beemy fits

Chasing money is the email most people put off longest. Beemy can track an invoice thread against its due date, draft the next nudge in your own tone, and hold it for your approval until you're ready to send. Live today on Gmail.

Get your time back.

Beemy is in private beta. Join the waitlist and go from connect to a quiet, triaged inbox before you close your laptop tonight.

Talk to us

Last updated 2 September 2026

How to chase an invoice that's overdue

Same situation, three different stances.

What to change.

Fair questions, straight answers.

Chase the overdue invoice, in your voice

Write a reply that ends the thread

How to ask for a refund and get one

Get your time back.