=================================================== PAYMENT TERMS CLAUSES — 10 COPY-PASTE TEMPLATES SoloStack | solostack.madethis.app =================================================== These are ready-to-use payment terms clauses for freelance invoices and contracts. Copy them into your invoice template, client contract, or proposal as-is, or adapt them to your needs. Customize anything in [brackets]. IMPORTANT: This is not legal advice. For complex projects or high-value clients, have a lawyer review your contracts. --------------------------------------------------- CLAUSE 1: NET-15 PAYMENT TERMS --------------------------------------------------- Payment is due within fifteen (15) days of the invoice date. The due date will be specified on each invoice. Payment is considered received when funds are confirmed in [Your Name / Business Name]'s account. --------------------------------------------------- CLAUSE 2: NET-30 PAYMENT TERMS --------------------------------------------------- Payment is due within thirty (30) days of the invoice date. The due date will be specified on each invoice. For ongoing retainer engagements, invoices are issued on the 1st of each month and are due by the 30th of that month. --------------------------------------------------- CLAUSE 3: LATE PAYMENT FEE (STANDARD — 1.5%/MONTH) --------------------------------------------------- Invoices not paid by the due date will accrue a late fee of 1.5% per month (18% annually) on the outstanding balance, compounding monthly. Late fees begin accruing the day after the due date and will be added to subsequent invoices. --------------------------------------------------- CLAUSE 4: LATE PAYMENT FEE (FLAT FEE VERSION) --------------------------------------------------- Invoices not paid within [15/30] days of the invoice date will incur a flat late fee of $[AMOUNT, e.g., $50] for each 30-day period the balance remains unpaid, beginning the day after the due date. --------------------------------------------------- CLAUSE 5: UPFRONT DEPOSIT REQUIREMENT --------------------------------------------------- A non-refundable deposit of [X]% of the total project fee (or $[AMOUNT]) is required before work begins. Work will not commence until the deposit is received. The deposit will be applied to the final invoice. The remaining balance is due upon project completion and delivery of final files. --------------------------------------------------- CLAUSE 6: KILL FEE (PROJECT CANCELLATION) --------------------------------------------------- If the client cancels this project after work has begun, [Your Name / Business Name] will retain the following portion of the agreed project fee based on project stage: - Before any work begins: Deposit only (non-refundable) - After initial concepts/drafts delivered: 50% of total fee - After second revision round: 75% of total fee - After final delivery: 100% of total fee Client will receive all work completed to the point of cancellation. --------------------------------------------------- CLAUSE 7: PAYMENT METHOD SPECIFICATION --------------------------------------------------- Acceptable payment methods are: [bank transfer (ACH), PayPal, Stripe, Venmo for Business, business check]. Checks should be made payable to [Your Legal Name / Business Name] and mailed to [your address]. Credit card payments are accepted via [Stripe/PayPal] with a [2.9%] processing fee added to the invoice total. --------------------------------------------------- CLAUSE 8: RUSH/EXPEDITE FEE --------------------------------------------------- Projects requiring delivery within [48 hours / 72 hours / 1 week] of the project start date will incur a rush fee of [25-50]% of the total project fee, added to the final invoice. Rush availability is not guaranteed and is subject to [Your Name]'s current workload at the time of request. --------------------------------------------------- CLAUSE 9: INVOICE DISPUTE RESOLUTION --------------------------------------------------- If the client disputes any portion of an invoice, the client must notify [Your Name / Business Name] in writing within [5 business days] of the invoice date. Undisputed portions of the invoice remain due on the original due date. Disputed portions will be reviewed and resolved within [10 business days] of written notice. --------------------------------------------------- CLAUSE 10: WORK OWNERSHIP / RIGHTS TRANSFER --------------------------------------------------- All intellectual property rights, ownership, and licenses for work delivered under this invoice transfer to the client only upon receipt of payment in full. [Your Name / Business Name] retains all rights to any work product until the invoice balance is paid in its entirety. Use of delivered work prior to full payment constitutes acceptance of these terms. --------------------------------------------------- USAGE NOTES --------------------------------------------------- Combine these clauses as needed: - Clauses 1 or 2 + Clause 3 = standard invoice terms - Clause 5 + Clause 6 + Clause 1 = full project agreement terms - All 10 = comprehensive freelance contract payment section Put your payment terms in THREE places: 1. Your contract/proposal (signed upfront) 2. Your invoice (visible at point of payment) 3. Your invoice email (in the body text) Never rely on verbal agreements for payment terms. If it's not in writing, it doesn't exist. --------------------------------------------------- Want done-for-you contract and invoice templates? Join SoloStack: solostack.madethis.app 50+ templates — invoices, contracts, SOPs, and more. ===================================================