GST & payments · 7 min read

How to get customers to pay on time

Late payments hurt small Indian businesses more than almost anything else. Most of the fix is process, not confrontation.

Updated 12 October 2026 · By the SuperForge team

Indian rupee banknotes
Photo by rupixen on Unsplash

019 tactics that work

  1. Agree terms in writing before you start, including the due date.
  2. Take an advance for new customers or large jobs.
  3. Invoice the same day you deliver.
  4. Make paying effortless with a UPI QR and bank details on the invoice.
  5. Send a friendly reminder 3 days before the due date.
  6. Follow up on the due date, then weekly.
  7. Call, don't just email, once an invoice is 15 days late.
  8. Know your MSME rights: registered micro and small enterprises have legal protections for delayed payments from buyers.
  9. Track overdue invoices weekly in one list.

02A reminder that gets paid

“Hi Priya, a quick reminder that invoice INV-0142 for ₹23,600 is due on Friday. You can scan the UPI QR on the invoice to pay in seconds. Thanks!”

03Make it visible

SuperForge shows unpaid and overdue invoices on your dashboard, and every invoice carries a UPI QR.

04Questions

What can MSMEs do about late payments?

Registered micro and small enterprises have protections under the MSMED Act, including interest on delayed payments and the MSME Samadhaan portal. Check current rules with your CA.

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