Many creators finish work and then wait months for payment. Clear terms in writing help.
What to agree before you start
- An advance (a part of the price) before you begin, especially with a new client.
- The balance due on delivery or within an agreed number of days.
- How to pay: bank or UPI, and to whom.
- What happens if it is late: you may pause further work.
Wording
"An advance of ____ is due before I start. The balance is due within ____ days of delivery."
If a payment is late
Send a polite reminder with the invoice number and amount. Our payment reminder messages give wording for each stage. Keep the messages as records.
Invoices and tax
Give a proper invoice for every payment. How GST and income tax apply to you depends on your situation, so ask a chartered accountant. We do not give tax advice.