Collections Management: #2 Late Payment Automation

"Sir, I'll process the payment by evening, please don't apply any late payment charges", the customer said while arranging papers on his desk.

Sanjay stood there with a tired smile. He had already visited twice that week. Payment collection was one thing. Explaining and justifying late fees was a whole different battle. After he left the office, he stopped at a small tea stall, opened his laptop, and stared at the spreadsheet he maintained every month, listing customer names, due dates, follow-up dates, and late fees applied.

The frustrating part was that the late fee column was always empty. Not because customers were paying on time, but Sanjay didn't want to go through another awkward conversation about why the late fee existed. He was tired of sounding like he was punishing customers for paying late, when in reality, late fees existed to protect cash flow, not to harm relationships.

He sipped his tea and thought, "If I can automate invoices and reminders... why can't the late fee be automated too?"

That moment changed everything.

Automating Late Fee 

At some point, for some businesses, applying a late fee may seem less empathetic. If you prioritise your relationship over revenue, it might feel unethical, but when you consider the lag that a payment delay creates for your business, it will feel genuine.

When late fees are automated, there is no debate and no room for negotiation. If a payment is delayed beyond the due date, the system automatically applies the late fee based on the rule you set. Late fees shift from being a personal enforcement to a standard business policy.

Instead of Sanjay saying, "I have added a late fee," the system silently states, "According to your billing terms, a late fee has been applied."

Ways to Automate Late Fee 

Zoho Billing supports late fee automation in two ways, based on the plan you are subscribed to.

Method 1: Using Custom Function Workflow 

You configure an automation in Zoho Billing that runs on a certain number of days after the invoice due date. When it triggers, it executes a custom function that posts a late fee charge to the customer's subscription. Everything happens behind the scenes, and no manual action is required.

​
Here is the deluge script used within the workflow.

lateFeeAccountID = ""; // -- Paste your latefee Ledger Account ID in the below variable.

lateFeeAmount = 10; // -- Change the late fee amount and invoice description as per your needs.

invReason = "Late Payment Fee";

invDescription = "Charges for late payment for the invoice " + invoice.get("number");

organizationID = organization.get("organization_id");

subscriptionID = invoice.get("subscriptions").get(0).get("subscription_id");

domain = "https://www.zohoapis.com/billing/v1";

payloadMap = Map();

payloadMap.put("account_id", lateFeeAccountID);

payloadMap.put("amount",lateFeeAmount);

payloadMap.put("name",invReason);

payloadMap.put("description",invDescription);

url = domain + "/subscriptions/" + subscriptionID + "/charge?organization_id=" + organizationID;

request = "Charging Late Fee for " + invoice.get("number");

response = invokeurl

[

url :url

type :POST

parameters:payloadMap.toString()

connection:"YOUR_CONNECTION_NAME"

];

// -- If the custom function fails to execute, an email will be sent to admin's email address.

if(response.get("code") != 0)

{

errorMessage = response.get("message");

sendmail

[

from :zoho.adminuserid

to :zoho.adminuserid

subject :"Error occurred in Custom Function while " + request

message :"<b>Affected url :</b><br>" + url + "<br><b>Error Message</b><br>" + errorMessage

]

}

Once configured, businesses no longer need to check overdue invoices manually. Zoho Billing handles it by itself.

Method 2: In-app Late Fee Configuration 

Zoho Billing also includes a built-in Late Fee configuration for specific pricing plans. Instead of scripts or workflow, you can define your rules.

You can choose whether the late fee is a fixed amount or a percentage-based, decide how many days after the due date the late fee should be applied, and select whether late fee invoices should be automatically created as draft or sent to the customer. The system acts accordingly without any intervention.

Note: The in-app Late Fee configuration is available only in plans over premium plan. Know the pricing of Zoho Billing. If you are in the plan that supports Late fee configuration, reach out to support@zohobilling.com to gain access to the feature.   

What Does a Late Fee Do to Business 

Late fee imposition brings more logic to the payment collection. It streamlines the payment collection. A Few months down the line, customers start to pay before the due date. You notice fewer overdue invoices, fewer follow-ups, and zero awkward conversations. The late fee no longer feels like a punishment. It becomes a predictable rule of business.

Whether through custom function automation or the built-in late fee settings, Zoho Billing transforms late fees into a standardised, system-driven action. This changes the payment collection pain point into a predictable revenue stream.

Up Next: Tackling Payment Failures

• Topic Participants

• Hari Hara Sudhan. S

  

• Sticky Posts

• Community Learning Series | Digest #5 — September 2020

  Dear customers, We're happy to bring you the September edition of our #CommunityDigest! Keep track of your subscription KPIs right from your smartphone: Last month, we enhanced our Android mobile app to help our customers get daily updates on their business health. We got to know from a lot of customers that this has made their job much more easier because they no longer have to keep a reminder to manually check on the previous day's revenue or activations. If you have not downloaded it yet, here's

• Community Learning Series | Digest #4 - August 2020

  Dear customers, We hope you're staying safe and healthy. I'm happy to bring you the fourth edition of our #CommunityDigest with some brand-new updates from us. 1. Daily Business Updates (for Android users) The Zoho Subscriptions Android app has got a cool new update: You can now get a push notification to your smartphone that lets you know how many activations and cancellations have taken place, and what's the net revenue for the previous day. The best part is, you can tell the app when exactly you

• Community Learning Series | Digest #3 - July 2020

  Dear customers, We hope you're staying safe and healthy. We're glad to bring you the July edition of our #CommunityDigest. New community members can view our previous newsletters here. This time, we have two major updates and three interesting topics for you: 1. Zoho Subscriptions Developer Community Since the inception of Zoho Subscriptions, our team believed that the recurring billing platform we provide should be able to offer an extensive API library that empowers businesses to automate most

• Introducing: Community Learning Series | Digest #1 - May 2020

  Dear customers, We hope you are staying safe and healthy. Helping businesses manage their customer subscriptions more efficiently has always been, and always will be, our goal at Zoho Subscriptions. We strongly believe this is possible if we grow together as a community and share what we know with each other. To nurture this shared learning experience, here is our brand-new Community Learning Series! ​ Welcome to the first edition of our digest! Each edition of our community digest includes guides

• Recent Topics

• Function #1: Convert an accepted Estimate to Sales Order automatically in Zoho Books

  As you’re aware, Zoho Books provides a default option to have the estimates automatically converted to invoices once your customer accepts them. Many of you wanted a similar option for sales orders, so here’s a workflow that converts accepted estimates

• Write-Off multiple invoices and tax calculation

  Good evening, I have many invoices which are long overdue and I do not expect them to be paid. I believe I should write them off. I did some tests and I have some questions:  - I cannot find a way to write off several invoices together. How can I do that,

• Reusable Jira Connection for Multiple Zoho Projects Imports

  Hello Zoho Projects Team, We would like to raise a concern and submit a feature request regarding the Jira → Zoho Projects migration process, specifically around how Jira connections are handled. Current Behavior: When setting up a Jira connection for

• Zoho invoice doesn't support Arabic language

  I added a clause in the terms & conditions section in Arabic but it doesn't appear when I sent or print it.

• Recurring Invoice Placeholder Not Updating Billing Period

  Hi, I’m using Zoho Invoice Free and want the billing period to update automatically in recurring invoices. In Item Description I tried: Billing Period: %(m-6)% %(y)% to %(m-1)% %(y)% but even if the invoice date is in 2026, it still shows the period based

• Work Type - Limitation

  Hello, I'm setting up work types and have noticed, a limitation on the parts area to 10 lines. Can this be increased to 20 or greater? In addition to this, when I attempt to add the work type to a work order, the correct labour hours doesn't flow through.

• Related list Mobile Device

  Hello, We use an the Zoho creator application to make reports linked to Accounts. On the computer: it's easy to go the Account and see all the created reports in the related list below On iPad/Phone ZOHO CRM APP: we cannot see the reports on those accounts

• Can't update the company address in zoho invoice

  Dear Sir/Madam, I want to update the company address in Zoho Invoice but failed. It popped out a sentence "Invalid value passed for Website". Please advice how to solve this problem. Thank you.

• Ensure Consistent Service Delivery with Comprehensive Job Sheets

  We are elated to announce that one of the most requested features is now live: Job Sheets. They are customizable, reusable forms that serve as a checklist for the services that technicians need to carry out and as a tool for data collection. While on

• Is there a plan to allow for the hierarchical organization of Customers / Companies in Zoho Billing?

  We have a few customers who have organizational structures that we haven't quite found a way to deal with in Zoho Billing. In CRM, these sub-companies (or subsidiaries or whatever you want to call them) all have another CRM account as the parent account.

• 【Zoho CRM】作業リスト機能リリースのお知らせ

  ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。コミュニティチームの藤澤です。 今回は「Zoho CRM アップデート情報」の中から、作業リスト機能リリースのお知らせ情報をご紹介します。 目次 作業リスト機能　概要 機能①　自分の未完了の活動 機能②　処理待ち 機能③　自分の作業リスト 作業リスト機能　概要 営業チームでは、CRM内に業務やデータが分散しているため、管理が煩雑になりがちです。この断片化は、機会の見逃しや生産性の低下につながります。 作業リスト機能は、タブを横断する業務項目をひとつのカスタマイズ可能なダッシュボードに集約し、業務を効率的に管理できるようにします。

• Pipeline.Company Name field shows up as numbers! [Bigin Developer Console > Component > URL]

  Hi there, I am setting up to invoke URL to send infromation zoho bigin > zoho forms with company name pre-fill in the form. however when I use : ${Pipelines.Company Name} field it shows up as a string of number instead of words. Help.

• SalesIQとPageSenseの利用について

  初めての投稿で場違いだったらすいません。 弊社ではSalesIQを運用しているのですが、追加でPageSenseの導入もしたいと現場からの声があります。 両サービスともクッキー同意バナーが必要なサービスなのですが 弊社では同意無しに情報はとりませんという方針なので 2つ入れると2つバナーを出す必要がでてきます・・・ 両サービスを運用されてる方があれば運用状況とか教えてほしいです。 PageSenseについては詳細まで機能を理解してないなかでの質問です。

• Emails sent through Bigin are not posting in IMAP Sent folder

  I have set up my email to work from within Bigin using IMAP.  I am using IMAP so I can sync my email across multiple devices - phone / laptop / desktop / iPad / etc.  I want all my emails to populate my email client (outlook & iphone email) whether or

• Parent-Child Tickets using API or Deluge

  Hi Everyone, We are looking at the parent-child ticketing features in Zoho Desk. We want to be able to create a parent ticket at customer level and nest child tickets underneath. The issue we are facing is to be able to automate this. I'm checking the

• Customer ticket creation via Microsoft Teams

  Hi all, I'm looking to see if someone could point me in the right direction. I'd love to make it so my customers/ end users can make tickets, see responses and respond within microsoft teams. As Admin and an Agent i've installed the zoho assist app within

• Closing connected ticket after closing WA conversation

  Hi, At the moment, once someone sends a message to our WA number, a corresponding ticket is automatically created. After the question is answered, our support department closes the chat/conversation. However, after that, the connected ticket is still

• Note sync turn off

  Hi, Is it possible to turn off notes sync between task notes and the parent module? (Account/Deal)

• Basic Plan Active but Survey Creation Still Limited to 3 Surveys

  I have an active Basic (Monthly) subscription (valid period: Dec 24, 2025 – Jan 24, 2026), but the system still limits survey creation to only 3 surveys, which matches Free plan behavior. The subscription appears active in Portal Information, however

• Manage control over Microsoft Office 365 integrations with profile-based sync permissions

  Greetings all, Previously, all users in Zoho CRM had access to enable Microsoft integrations (Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks) in their accounts, regardless of their profile type. Users with administrator profiles can now manage profile-based permissions

• Territory Assignment Issues (Lead to Account + Contact)

  1. Lead → Account & Contact Territory Assignment on Conversion A Lead is automatically assigned one or more territories using a workflow and Lead Assignment Rules. This works as expected, and we are able to assign multiple territories to a Lead automatically.

• 2025 in Review: Powering Field Services Forward—One Feature at a Time

  As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to pause and reflect on a year of meaningful progress at Zoho FSM. This year was all about listening closely to our customers and partners, building with purpose, and continuously improving the way field service teams

• Syncing with Google calendar, Tasks and Events

  Is it possible to sync Zoho CRM calendar, task and events with Google Calendar's tasks and events. With the increasing adoption by many major tool suppliers to sync seamlessly with Google's offerings (for instance I use the excellent Any.do task planning

• CRM x WorkDrive: We're rolling out the WorkDrive-powered file storage experience for existing users

  Release plan: Gradual rollout to customers without file storage add-ons, in this order: 1. Standalone CRM 2. CRM Plus and Zoho One DCs: All | Editions: All Available now for: - Standalone CRM accounts in Free and Standard editions without file storage

• How to install Widget in inventory module

  Hi， I am trying to install a app into Sales Order Module related list, however there is no button allow me to do that. May I ask how to install widget to inventory module related list?

• How do I associate pricebooks to a customer?

  I setup a few pricebooks, that worked fine. But now the only thing I can do with it, when I enter a quote or sales order, I can select which pricebook to use, but I have to do this product by product every time I add one. Is there a way to connect a pricebook

• SQL Table slowed to a crawl

  Hi all - I seem to have noticed an update. Now whenever I am typing in the script field for the SQL tables there is a huge delay and it is all very slow. This has never been the case for me in over 5 years of using Analytics - I really hope it's fixed

• Good news! Calendar in Zoho CRM gets a face lift

  Dear Customers, We are delighted to unveil the revamped calendar UI in Zoho CRM. With a complete visual overhaul aligned with CRM for Everyone, the calendar now offers a more intuitive and flexible scheduling experience. What’s new? Distinguish activities

• FOLDER DISAPPEARED

  Hello Zoho Community. I recently found a problem with no explanation: a folder in Zoho Analytics just disappeared, but the tables and SQL sentences still existed, the folder was not deleted. The solution for me in this case was to create a new folder,

• Zoho Tracking Image location

  So we've been having an issue with tracking email opens. Specifically in Gmail. Our emails are not that long either, maybe 4 sections of image/250 characters of text/button per section.  But all my test accounts I used via Gmail we're showing opens. But then come to find out the tracking image is at the very bottom of the email. So If the message is clipped (It always just clips our social icons on the bottom) and the user doesn't click the show more button it never tracks the open.  Looking at other

• New to automation - please help

  Hi there! We are new to automations in Zoho. We built out one automation campaign and it seems to be firing off for some people but others not. Please advise what's the best practice or if anything we should tweak. Thank you so much!

• Unable to Create Zoho Booking via the Book Appointment API

  Its giving the below error {     "response": {         "errormessage": "Error setting value for the variable:customer_details\n null",         "status": "Error"     } } Request: POST Url: https://www.zohoapis.in/bookings/v1/json/appointment attached Zoho-oauthtoken

• Task Details on task template

  When creating a task template in settings that task details seem to be missing. Is it not possible to set the details of a task, such as the priority, type, reminder settings, and custom field values?

• Building Toppings #3 -Testing and publishing Bigin toppings

  In previous forum posts, we discussed what a Bigin topping is and explored the Bigin Developer Console's features. In this post, we're going to create a topping from scratch and discuss how to test and publish it. Our topping will automate follow-up management

• markdown files?

  How can I import a markdown file into a note?

• Mail to Zoho Notebook

  In the Instuctiosn I faound as email add@notebook.app In my account I see add@eu.notebook.app What is correct please

• Auto-Invite Users to Portals in Zoho CRM based on Conditions

  Hello Everyone, You can now automate portal invitations in Zoho CRM with the new Auto-Invite users feature in Portal management. No more manually enabling portal access one by one. With this enhancement, you can automatically send invites for users to

• Growth You can Count On: Zoho Billing's 2025 Journey

  As we wrap up 2025, we’re reflecting on a year rooted in steady progress and meaningful growth for Zoho Billing. Every enhancement we have introduced was built to support scalable and reliable billing growth for your business. From launching the Enterprise

• Automating Employee Birthday Notifications in Zoho Cliq

  Have you ever missed a birthday and felt like the office Grinch? Fear not, the Cliq Developer Platform has got your back! With Zoho Cliq's Schedulers, you can be the office party-cipant who never forgets a single cake, balloon, or awkward rendition of

• Need help with creating workflow with Bigin and Clickup

  Can you please help me with this? I am trying to create a workflow in Zoho Flow wherein a bigin Pipeline deal moves to Decision Closing, it will create a task and subtasks in Clickup, under the condition/filter that the Deal name contains the word Social

• Next Page