Details
-
Type:
New Feature
-
Status: Closed
-
Priority:
Major
-
Resolution: Fixed
-
Affects Version/s: 4.3.0
-
Fix Version/s: 4.10.0-b1
-
Component/s: Staff Interface
-
Labels:None
Description
Add the ability to set and bill late fees.
Under Settings > Company > Billing/Payment add a new section called "Late Fees". This section should also exist as a client group override when editing the Client Group as its own section.
Location
These settings will appear for the company and for the client group. For the company, add a new setting called Late Fees under Settings > Company > Billing/Payment. For the client group, add a new section called Late Fees.
Fields
- Late Fee Type (Percentage or Fixed)
- Late Fee Amount (Enter the percentage or fixed value)
- Late Fee Minimum (The minimum late fee to charge, if the calculated value is less then this will be used)
- Late Fee Days (Number of days the invoice is late before late fee is applied
We will have a table with the currency defined on the left, and fields associated with that currency following List all currencies active in the system.
| Currency | Fee Type | Amount | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD |  Percent () Fixed |
10 | 2 |
| GBP | () Percent Fixed |
5 | 1 |
...
Late Fee Days [======]
[x] Apply to total invoice amount (Tool tip: "If the fee type is percentage, checked this to calculate the fee based on the total amount of the invoice. If this is unchecked, the fee will be calculated based on the unpaid amount only.")
Automation Task
Add a new core automation task that will search for late invoices that should have a late fee assessed, and add the late fee. The invoice should be modified and a line item for the late fee should be added. Make sure not to add a 0 amount line item.
Add a marker, either on the invoices table or through a new table, that tracks whether a late fee has already been applied to an invoice. Ignore marked invoices when creating future late fees
Should we re-queue the invoice for delivery if a late fee is added?
Activity
Late fee should be applied to current invoice, that is late. If the jurisdiction does not allow modifying of invoices, then they should not enable this option.
If a fixed amount for the late fee, I suppose it should be able to be defined in multiple currencies. If the late fee is not set in the currency of the invoice, then it cannot be assessed.
Late fees should be assessed one time. If an invoice due date is adjusted after a late fee is already assessed, then it may be possible to get another late fee. This could be true also if the settings are changed, so we should track whether a late fee has already been assessed to the invoice and do not re-assess one.
Paul Phillips
added a comment - Late fee should be applied to current invoice, that is late. If the jurisdiction does not allow modifying of invoices, then they should not enable this option.
If a fixed amount for the late fee, I suppose it should be able to be defined in multiple currencies. If the late fee is not set in the currency of the invoice, then it cannot be assessed.
Late fees should be assessed one time. If an invoice due date is adjusted after a late fee is already assessed, then it may be possible to get another late fee. This could be true also if the settings are changed, so we should track whether a late fee has already been assessed to the invoice and do not re-assess one. Let's take a look at this again and see if it's something we can implement in 4.9.
Paul Phillips
added a comment - Let's take a look at this again and see if it's something we can implement in 4.9. 
Should the late fee amount consider the currency? A fixed amount in one currency does not apply equally to another. The same goes for a "minimum" fee value.
I'm not sure appending a late fee to an existing invoice is sufficient, especially since many jurisdictions require that the invoice not be modified after creation. In that case, a separate invoice would need to be created, and one consideration for invoice late fees is that the late fee is an invoice itself, also subject to a late fee cost. It seems like invoices would have to have an option to be exempt from any late fees.
Presumably, the late fee is charged once and never again, but if someone changes the invoice due date into the future and it is late again, does another late fee get added for it?
When is the late fee due? Immediately?