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Late Payment Interest in Florida (2026)

8.25% per year (Q2 2026) — Florida Statutes §55.03: judgment/legal rate set quarterly by the CFO (12-month average of the NY Fed discount rate + 400bp). 8.25% effective 1 April 2026. On a $5,000 invoice 60 days overdue, the money already owed to you looks like this:

Total owed on a $5,000 invoice · 60 days late

$5,067.81

Growing $1.13 every day it stays unpaid

principal
$5,000
interest
$67.81

Rate verified 2026-07-06 · Source: Florida CFO — Judgment interest rates · Methodology

Calculate your invoice

Rate prefilled from the Florida default (8.25% per year (Q2 2026)) — override it if your contract sets its own.

$

60 days overdue

%

Florida default: 8.25% per year (Q2 2026)

Total now owed to you · Florida

$5,067.81

$5,000 principal · 60 days overdue at 8.25%

interest accrued
$67.81
growing daily by
$1.13

Simple interest: amount × (8.25% ÷ 365) × 60 days. Information, not legal advice — contract terms can override statutory defaults.

The rule in plain English

Florida sets its statutory interest rate quarterly: the Chief Financial Officer averages the Federal Reserve Bank of New York discount rate over the prior year and adds 4 percentage points. The rate effective 1 April 2026 is 8.25%.

This rate applies to judgments and, via §687.01, serves as the legal rate of interest on matured debts where the parties did not agree a rate.

For an unpaid invoice with no interest clause, Florida case law allows pre-judgment interest at the statutory rate from the date the payment was due (the "loss theory" — interest is compensation for being kept from your money).

An agreed contract rate governs instead, subject to Florida usury limits (18% per year on amounts under $500,000).

Legal basis: Fla. Stat. §55.03; §687.01.

Worked example

invoice = $5,000, 60 days overdue, rate = 8.25%

daily interest = $5,000 × (8.25% ÷ 365) = $1.13

interest = $1.13 × 60 days = $67.81

total owed = $5,067.81

What to include in your demand letter

A short, factual letter recovers more invoices than a heated one. Checklist (general guidance, not legal advice):

  • Invoice number, date, original due date, and the exact principal outstanding.
  • The interest calculation shown line by line — principal, rate (8.25% per year (Q2 2026)), days overdue, daily amount — so there is nothing to dispute.
  • The legal or contractual basis for the interest (Fla. Stat. §55.03; §687.01; cite your contract clause first if you have one).
  • A single clear deadline (7 or 14 days is customary) and the payment details — remove every excuse for delay.
  • What happens next if unpaid: a letter before action, small claims / court filing, or referral to collections — stated plainly, without threats you don’t intend to keep.
  • A note that interest continues to accrue daily until payment — quote the per-day figure from the calculator above.

FAQ

What interest can I charge on a late invoice in Florida?
Florida Statutes §55.03: judgment/legal rate set quarterly by the CFO (12-month average of the NY Fed discount rate + 400bp). 8.25% effective 1 April 2026. On a $5,000 invoice 60 days overdue, that is about $67.81 in interest. (Fla. Stat. §55.03; §687.01; verified 2026-07-06.)
Do I need a clause in my contract to charge this?
Effectively yes. Florida has no automatic statutory right to add interest to a private commercial invoice — your contract or terms of trade should specify the rate. Without one, you are limited to the default legal rate (8.25% per year (Q2 2026)) on liquidated debts, typically only recoverable once you pursue the claim.
How is late payment interest calculated?
Simple interest on a daily basis: invoice amount × (annual rate ÷ 365) × days overdue. Interest normally runs from the day after the due date. The calculator above shows the formula with your own numbers.
Does the Florida rate change?
Resets quarterly (1 Jan / 1 Apr / 1 Jul / 1 Oct), published by the Florida CFO. 8.25% is the Q2 2026 figure — the 1 July 2026 rate may differ.
Can I really send an invoice for the interest?
Yes — the standard practice is a short statement or updated invoice showing the principal, the daily interest accrued to date and the legal basis (Fla. Stat. §55.03; §687.01). Many creditors find the demand itself prompts payment. This site provides information, not legal advice; for significant sums, confirm your position with a professional before escalating.

This page is general information about Florida, verified 2026-07-06 against Florida CFO — Judgment interest rates. It is not legal advice, and statutory rules have exceptions and transition rules that a short summary cannot capture. Contract terms often override statutory defaults. For significant or disputed sums, consult a qualified professional in your jurisdiction.

Other jurisdictions

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