California Late Fee Calculator

Find the legal maximum late fee in California. Based on Cal. Civ. Code §3287; Cal. Const. art. XV §1.

Max per month
1.5%
Annualized cap
18%
Written agreement
Required
Grace period
0 days

California Late Fee Calculator

Based on Cal. Civ. Code §3287; Cal. Const. art. XV §1

Late fee owed$15.00

QuickBillMaker applies late fees automatically based on your configured policy. Set it once and stop chasing payments by hand.

How California late fees work

In California, late payment fees on commercial invoices are governed by Cal. Civ. Code §3287; Cal. Const. art. XV §1. The legal maximum is 1.5% per month (18% annualized). Late fees must be reasonable and in written contract. Statutory interest (no contract) is 10% per year. Penalties beyond reasonable estimate of damages are unenforceable (§1671).

The fee must be stated in a written agreement before the work is performed. Without a written rate, only the statutory default rate applies.

California prompt-pay law

California Prompt Payment Act (Gov. Code §927); Bus. & Prof. Code §7108.5 (construction) Public contracts: payment within 45 days. Construction subs: 10 days from prime contractor's receipt.

Stop calculating late fees by hand

QuickBillMaker applies your California late fee rate automatically when invoices go overdue.

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