A request for payment issued to a contractor - what next?
Many people are horrified at the mere thought of debt collection - completely unnecessarily, because it is an integral part of running a business. Conducting it in a correct (i.e. firm) manner will allow the case to be closed quickly. This is best viewed as getting back the money we are owed. However, those who rarely encounter overdue invoices in practice often ask: payment request and what next? We explain
Payment request as a way to recover money
A request for payment is the basic method of recovering receivables - a letter addressed to the contractor, in which the most important information is presented, on the basis of which the creditor demands repayment of the receivable. The creditor's right is also to demand interest on late payment, the amount may be stated on the summons.
Pre-trial request for payment
When the request for payment sent by us does not bring the intended results, the next step is to send another request to the debtor, which is also an announcement that the case will be brought to court, i.e. the final court request for payment. Only after the unsuccessful appointment of the next date and the announcement that the case will be resolved by the court, the case should be brought to court.
Contrary to appearances, situations are not often resolved by a court, this applies to very stubborn debtors. Therefore, entrepreneurs who are not afraid of such a course of events can rest easy.
A request for payment in practice
What should be taken into account, and what many entrepreneurs who care about debt recovery do not realize is that people do not feel comfortable with their debts. There are many reasons why they are not able to settle payments on time. As long as it is reasonably explained, one should behave less radically towards such a debtor. The money will not suddenly appear, the request for payment may turn out to be unnecessary, and the court case in this case will only cause more problems.
Therefore, it is worth talking to the contractor, explaining the reason and then finding a solution instead of sending another request for payment.
It is also not worth believing that a request for payment on a red sheet or written from top to bottom in red font (keywords are enough) is more effective. Not only that, it may unnecessarily irritate the debtor and it is not said that he will not get back, e.g. by settling the liability at the very end.
A request for payment and a dishonest contractor what is the alternative?
In the event that our contractor had the intention of defaulting from the beginning, we cannot always win with him. Therefore, professionals warn to check the counterparty in every possible field before concluding a transaction, especially when it simply arouses the feeling that he may turn out to be a difficult business partner.
If the request for payment does not help, the debtor has been lost, and the entrepreneur is ready to live with it and let it go, for one of the following reasons:
- believes that the amount due is not large and the lack of payment will not significantly affect its financial liquidity,
- there is no time for formalities related to debt collection or court proceedings,
- has contractors on which he must focus his attention and energy, and the amount due is not worth the time,
- thinks it might just happen
then there is a solution not related to debt collection, which only slightly compensates for the lack of payment - bad debt relief.
Demand for payment and bad debt relief
Bad debt relief is provided only for active VAT taxpayers, it enables "recovery" of VAT that was previously paid to the tax office for the sale. As a rule, the tax on this account should be accounted for regardless of whether the buyer makes the payment.
Bad debt relief is available after 90 days from the invoice payment deadline. It is made in the current VAT-7 or VAT-7K declaration without the need to go back to the period in which the tax obligation arose.
Payment request in the wfirma.pl system
From the wfirma.pl system level, you can generate a payment request for sales invoices issued in the system. To make it possible, in the tab REVENUE »RECOVERY» RECEIVABLES and in the payment filter field select UNCLUDED. Then, after selecting the invoice to which you want to issue a request, select the GENERATE >> CALL FOR PAYMENT option.
