Set up payment plans on invoices

A payment plan splits an invoice into predefined installments. Create one by clicking Add payment schedule on the invoice, setting each installment as a percentage or fixed amount, and sending the invoice — the payer then pays the installments until the invoice is paid in full.

What a payment plan is

A payment plan divides a single invoice into predefined installments. Each installment has a percentage or a fixed amount, a due date, and a payment status. The payer can pay one or more installments at one time, and the invoice becomes paid only after all installments are paid.

Create the payment schedule

Add a payment schedule to an invoice you have already built and are ready to send — see Create and send an invoice for the full workflow.

1. Open the invoice you want to split.

2. Click Add payment schedule.

3. Set the payment terms for each installment using a percentage or a fixed amount.

4. Send the invoice.

How the payer pays installments

The recipient sees the payment plan on the invoice and chooses what to pay. They can select the scheduled amount for one installment, or use the checkboxes to select additional schedules to pay in the same transaction. The invoice becomes paid after all installments are paid.

Send due-date notifications

You can send a notification when an installment reaches its due date and is still unpaid.

Customize the Payment Schedule Received notification

Edit the template or turn off the notification the payer receives when the payment schedule is sent.

1. Go to Payments > Invoices & Estimates > Settings.

2. Open Notifications.

3. Open Customer Notifications.

4. Find Payment Schedule Received.

5. Edit the Email/SMS template, or toggle the notification off.

Payment plans vs. partial payments

Payment plans use predefined installments. This is different from partial payments, where the payer chooses any amount at or above a minimum percentage you set — see Use partial payments on invoices.