Bills

A bill is a document requesting payment for an order previously supplied. Presentation of a bill is common practice on the part of restaurants, credit card companies, utilities, and other service providers. The bill for something is the total price of all services and goods received but not paid for, and is presented in the expectation of immediate payment by the due date.

When a bill is paid for, as a part of the transaction, the company will usually provide a bill confirmation.

Unpaid bills

If a bill is not paid on time, various sanctions against the debtor may be taken, including late fees being added to the bill, negative credit reporting, suspension of the services being provided, employment of a collection agency to collect the amount due, or in the most extreme cases, legal action. The total amount of the bill is usually called the balance due.

Under English law, a person who makes off without paying the bill, or who dishonestly secures a remission in the amount payable, commits an criminal offence under the Theft Act 1978.

In the United States and most other democracies, a person who does not pay a bill cannot be held criminally liable. Debt is strictly a civil matter, and the creditor is limited to taking civil action against the debtor.

Common reasons for failure to pay a bill on time or at all include disorganization, forgetfulness, health problems that leave the customer out of commission to make payment, dispute of the charges on the bill, or difficulty in affording the bill.

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