Past due
Also called Overdue
An invoice that hasn't been paid by its due date. It stays past due, and keeps aging, until it's paid, credited or written off.
Past-due balances are usually grouped by how late they are: 1–30, 31–60, 61–90 and more than 90 days past due. The older the balance, the lower the chance of collecting it in full.
Not every past-due invoice is a collections problem. Many are waiting on something else, such as a missing PO, a portal rejection or an open dispute, and won't be paid until that's fixed.
Further reading
Related terms
- AR agingGrouping open receivables by how long they've been outstanding, to show how much is current and how much is late.
- Delinquent accountA customer account with invoices significantly past due, usually flagged for closer follow-up, a credit hold or escalation.
- DunningThe structured sequence of reminders sent as invoices approach and pass their due date, escalating in tone and channel.