Invoice 45 Days Overdue: Email Templates for Freelancers

At 45 days overdue, the invoice has missed its due date by a month and a half and has likely slipped past at least one billing cycle. Friendly reminders have not worked, so the goal now is to escalate clearly: put the full history in one email, offer a realistic way to pay, and set a deadline after which you take the next step. Stay professional; you want the money, not a fight.

What changes at 45 days overdue

• Summarize the history in one place: invoice date, due date, and every reminder you sent.
• Copy a second contact (finance, AP, or the owner) if your main contact has gone quiet.
• Offer a payment plan if the client may genuinely be short on cash. Partial money now beats none.
• Name the next step and the date, and only name steps you will actually take.

Before you send

• Stop starting new work for this client until the balance is settled or a plan is agreed.
• Add a late fee only if your contract includes one, and show the calculation.
• Get any promise in writing: amount, date, and method.
• Put a calendar reminder for the deadline so the next step happens on time.

Free template 1: Serious escalation reminder

Replace every [bracket] before sending.

Hi [Client Name],

Invoice [Invoice #] for [Amount] was due on [Due Date] and is now 45 days overdue. I sent reminders on [Reminder Dates] and have not received payment or a date for it.

I have attached the invoice again. You can pay here: [Payment Link], or by bank transfer to [Bank Details].

Please confirm by [Reply-By Date] when this will be paid. I have paused new work on the account until it is settled.

Thanks,
[Your Name]

Free template 2: Payment plan offer

Replace every [bracket] before sending.

Hi [Client Name],

I know invoices sometimes stall for reasons outside your control, so I want to make clearing invoice [Invoice #] ([Amount], now 45 days overdue) as easy as possible.

If paying it all at once is a problem, I can accept [Number] payments of [Installment Amount], due on [Installment Dates]. The first payment can be made here: [Payment Link].

Please reply by [Reply-By Date] to accept this plan or to pay the balance in full. If I do not hear back, the full amount stays due immediately.

Best,
[Your Name]

Free template 3: Pre-collections notice

Replace every [bracket] before sending.

Hi [Client Name],

Invoice [Invoice #] for [Amount] for [Project Name] is now 45 days past due. I have contacted you on [Contact Dates] without a resolution.

Please pay the balance by [Final Deadline] at [Payment Link], or reply by then with a written payment plan.

If the invoice is not paid or a plan agreed by [Final Deadline], I will refer the account to [a collections agency / small claims court]. I would prefer to avoid that and settle it directly with you.

Regards,
[Your Name]

Free sample: try one email from the full pack before you buy.

Free mini-pack: 3 more follow-up templates (HTML + PDF), no signup.

Related guides

• Invoice 30 days overdue
• Invoice 60 days overdue
• Payment plan offer for an overdue invoice
• Final notice before collections
• Demand letter for an unpaid invoice

Not legal advice. These are practical communication templates for freelancers and small service businesses. For disputed or large debts, talk to a lawyer in your jurisdiction.