Is there a time limit on invoicing a customer?

Did you forget to invoice a client? Learn how long you have after a transaction to send them a bill.

You must invoice a client after providing a product or service to get paid. After all, no customer will be offering you their money without proof. But what if you forgot to send one and the transaction happened two months ago? Is there a time limit on invoicing a customer?

Read on and learn how late you can send an invoice to your customer and still get paid.

There’s a time limit — but it’s long.

Technically, there’s a time limit on how late you can write an invoice for a customer. But the grace period for collecting outstanding debt is usually very long. In some jurisdictions, you may be able to bill clients even after several years.

However, the exact time limit depends entirely on local laws and regulations. Relevant business authorities can tell you the time limit for invoicing in your location.

What to do if you forget to send an invoice?

These long time limits mean that you can still write an invoice, even after several months. But you shouldn’t just send it without warning — the customer may have forgotten about you and could think you’re trying to scam them.

It’s best practice to send supporting evidence with the invoice, like pro forma documents. Additionally, you can call or email about the upcoming late invoice to refresh a client’s memory about your services.

Send your invoices in on time.

Although the time limits are usually forgiving, you should send invoices within 30 days to maintain a steady cash flow. Electronic signatures can help you keep track of your invoices. Requesting digital signatures is fast, so you can do it before forgetting about the invoice.

With Adobe Acrobat Sign, you can quickly sign documents and request signatures on computers, mobile devices, and online. You can also track signature requests to ensure you get paid on time.