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Interest on unpaid invoices in District of Columbia: 6% a year if no rate was agreed; at most 24% by agreement for homeowners
In the District of Columbia, 6% a year if no rate was agreed; at most 24% by agreement for homeowners. Read from the District of Columbia's own statutes, agencies and courts, checked November 6, 2026, with every answer quoted below, and a late fee calculator.
The District of Columbia's rate when no rate was agreed
6% a year. 6% a year on the loan or forbearance of money, goods or things in action when no rate is expressed in the contract (D.C. Code § 28-3302(a)). On a judgment where the rate of interest is not fixed by contract, the rate is 70% of the rate of interest set by the Secretary of the Treasury under section 6621 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
- “(a) The rate of interest in the District upon the loan or forbearance of money, goods, or things in action in the absence of expressed contract, is 6% per annum.” — D.C. Code § 28-3302(a), read November 6, 2026
- “(c) The rate of interest on judgments and decrees, where the judgment or decree is not against the District of Columbia, or its officers, or its employees acting within the scope of their employment or where the rate of interest is not fixed by contract, shall be 70% of the rate of interest set by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to section 6621 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,” — D.C. Code § 28-3302(c), read November 6, 2026
The most you can set in the District of Columbia
For a homeowner: 24% a year. Up to 24% a year by a written instrument for payment of money at a future time (D.C. Code § 28-3301(a)); the chapter applies to consumer credit transactions occurring in D.C. (§ 28-3301(h)).
For a business customer: 24%, but no cap on a loan of more than $2,500 made for a business, professional or commercial purpose (not secured by the borrower's residence). D.C. Code § 28-3301(d)(1)(B). It depends: see § 28-3301(d).
- “(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, section 28-3308, and chapter 36 of this subtitle, the parties to an instrument in writing for the payment of money at a future time may contract therein for the payment of interest on the principal amount thereof at a rate not exceeding 24% per annum.” — D.C. Code § 28-3301(a), read November 6, 2026
- “(h) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to consumer credit transactions, including modifications (including refinancing, consolidations, and deferrals), occurring in the District of Columbia.” — D.C. Code § 28-3301(h), read November 6, 2026
- “where the borrower receives the use of an amount in excess of $2,500 shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter and it shall be lawful to contract for, or receive, any rate of interest thereon if any of the following conditions are satisfied:” — D.C. Code § 28-3301(d)(1)(B), read November 6, 2026
- “(B) the borrower is an individual, group of individuals, corporation, unincorporated association, partnership, or other entity, and the loan is made for the purpose of acquiring or carrying on a business, professional, or commercial activity;” — D.C. Code § 28-3301(d)(1)(B), read November 6, 2026
Late fees in the District of Columbia
What the text says: Loans and financial transactions under the D.C. interest and usury chapter: a late charge only after the payment is at least 10 calendar days late, only once per late installment, and no more than 5% of the late installment of principal and interest (D.C. Code § 28-3310(b)). It depends: see D.C. Code §§ 28-3301, 28-3310.
- “(b) No delinquent or late charge shall be contracted for or received which does not meet all of the following requirements: (1) the delinquency shall have continued for at least 10 calendar days; (2) a delinquent or late charge shall not have already been charged for the same delinquent or late periodic installment; and (3) the delinquent or late charge shall not exceed 5% of the total amount of the delinquent or late periodic installment of principal and interest.” — D.C. Code § 28-3310(b), read November 6, 2026
Does the District of Columbia want it agreed in advance?
Agreed in advance: yes, in the cases below. A contract rate must be in 'an instrument in writing' (D.C. Code § 28-3301(a)); with no expressed contract rate, 6% applies (§ 28-3302(a)). § 28-3310(b) speaks of a late charge being 'contracted for or received'.
- “the parties to an instrument in writing for the payment of money at a future time may contract therein for the payment of interest on the principal amount thereof at a rate not exceeding 24% per annum.” — D.C. Code § 28-3301(a), read November 6, 2026
Homeowners and businesses in the District of Columbia
Business loans over $2,500 for a business, professional or commercial purpose are outside the chapter and may carry any agreed rate.
- “the loan is made for the purpose of acquiring or carrying on a business, professional, or commercial activity;” — D.C. Code § 28-3301(d)(1)(B), read November 6, 2026
Prompt payment on private construction in the District of Columbia
Not found in our check for the District of Columbia.
Work out a late charge in the District of Columbia
Starts at the District of Columbia's 6%, the rate when none was agreed, not a maximum.
What was not checked for the District of Columbia
- No District prompt-payment law for private construction was found, but the search for one was not finished.
- The District's consumer credit sale provisions (D.C. Code chapter 38) were not read.
- The District's current judgment interest rate (70% of the IRS underpayment rate) was not read from a D.C. Courts page.
Check the District of Columbia's own text
Before you charge: read D.C. Code § 28-3302(a) and the other District of Columbia texts quoted on this page, or ask a lawyer. As of November 6, 2026.
This is a plain-words summary of each state's own laws as of November 6, 2026, not legal advice. Rules have exceptions. Check the state's own text, linked on every state's page, or a lawyer before you charge a late fee or interest.
Compare the District of Columbia with every state's answer, or with its neighbours just below.
Official sources for the District of Columbia
- D.C. Code § 28-3302(a) — read November 6, 2026
- D.C. Code § 28-3301(a) — read November 6, 2026
- D.C. Code § 28-3310(b) — read November 6, 2026
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