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Interest on unpaid invoices in Massachusetts: 12% a year if no rate was agreed; the most you can set depends on the deal

By Yossi Grunwald, founder of Workeey · Updated

In Massachusetts, 12% a year if no rate was agreed; the most you can set depends on the deal. Read from Massachusetts's own statutes, agencies and courts, checked November 6, 2026, with every answer quoted below, and a late fee calculator.

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Massachusetts's rate when no rate was agreed

12% a year. In a court action on a contract, the clerk adds interest at the contract rate if established, otherwise 12% a year from breach or demand (G.L. c.231 §6C). Separately, G.L. c.107 §3 sets 6% as the rate of interest of money where no agreement or law sets another, and no more than 6% is recovered in a suit unless agreed in writing — the 12% in c.231 §6C is the 'provision of law' that applies once a contract claim goes to judgment.

  • “In all actions based on contractual obligations, upon a verdict, finding or order for judgment for pecuniary damages, interest shall be added by the clerk of the court to the amount of damages, at the contract rate, if established, or at the rate of twelve per cent per annum from the date of the breach or demand.” — Mass. Gen. Laws c.231 §6C, read November 6, 2026
  • “If there is no agreement or provision of law for a different rate, the interest of money shall be at the rate of six dollars on each hundred for a year” — Mass. Gen. Laws c.107 §3, read November 6, 2026

The most you can set in Massachusetts

For a homeowner: It depends: see G.L. c.107 §3. Any rate may be contracted for, in writing) and c.271 §49 (criminal usury above 20% a year on a loan unless the lender notifies the Attorney General); retail installment agreements have their own finance-charge limits in c.255D.

For a business customer: It depends: see G.L. c.107 §3 and c.271 §49.

  • “it shall be lawful to pay, reserve or contract for any rate of interest or discount. No greater rate than that before mentioned shall be recovered in a suit unless the agreement to pay it is in writing.” — Mass. Gen. Laws c.107 §3, read November 6, 2026
  • “Whoever in exchange for either a loan of money or other property knowingly contracts for, charges, takes or receives, directly or indirectly, interest and expenses the aggregate of which exceeds an amount greater than twenty per centum per annum” — Mass. Gen. Laws c.271 §49(a), read November 6, 2026
  • “shall not apply to any person who notifies the attorney general of his intent to engage in a transaction or transactions which, but for the provisions of this paragraph, would be proscribed” — Mass. Gen. Laws c.271 §49(b), read November 6, 2026

Late fees in Massachusetts

What the text says: Retail installment sale agreements: if the agreement provides, a delinquency charge on an installment in default at least 15 days — the LESSER of 5% of the installment or $5. Retail installment sale agreements under c.255D: signed by the buyer, for goods or services (including home repair and improvement work) bought for personal/household use, payable in more than one payment with a finance charge, or in five or more installments without one. It depends: see c.255D §§1, 20.

  • “The holder of a retail installment sale agreement may, if the agreement so provides, collect a delinquency and collection charge on each installment in default for a period of not less than fifteen days in an amount not in excess of five percent of each installment or five dollars, whichever is less” — Mass. Gen. Laws c.255D §20, read November 6, 2026
  • “any work, labor, or other services, purchased primarily for personal, family or household purposes, or furnished or agreed to be furnished in the delivery, installation, repair or improvement of goods, including but not limited to alterations, or improvements upon or in connection with real property, but excluding insurance of all types.” — Mass. Gen. Laws c.255D §1, read November 6, 2026

Does Massachusetts want it agreed in advance?

Agreed in advance: yes, in the cases below. Interest above 6% is recoverable in a suit only if agreed in writing (c.107 §3); the retail installment delinquency charge only 'if the agreement so provides' (c.255D §20).

  • “No greater rate than that before mentioned shall be recovered in a suit unless the agreement to pay it is in writing.” — Mass. Gen. Laws c.107 §3, read November 6, 2026
  • “may, if the agreement so provides, collect a delinquency and collection charge” — Mass. Gen. Laws c.255D §20, read November 6, 2026

Homeowners and businesses in Massachusetts

Homeowner on a retail installment agreement (including home repair/improvement services): c.255D delinquency cap of the lesser of 5% or $5 after 15 days. See c.255D §§1, 20.

Prompt payment on private construction in Massachusetts

See the state's words below. Excludes projects with 1 to 4 dwelling units. Mass. Gen. Laws c.149 §29E.

  • “has an original contract price of $3,000,000 or more; provided, however, this shall not include projects containing or designed to contain at least 1 but not more than 4 dwelling units.” — Mass. Gen. Laws c.149 §29E(a), read November 6, 2026
  • “for payment, 45 days after approval, unless the payment is subject to the condition of receipt of payment by a third person” — Mass. Gen. Laws c.149 §29E(c), read November 6, 2026

Work out a late charge in Massachusetts

Starts at Massachusetts's 12%, the rate when none was agreed, not a maximum.

Days since the due date
The rate or fee your terms set

$11.84 late charge

Days late
30
New total
$1,211.84

$1,200.00 × 12% a year × 30 days ÷ 365 = $11.84

What was not checked for Massachusetts

  • Massachusetts's retail installment finance-charge limits (G.L. c.255D §11) and its revolving credit late charges were not read.
  • Only part of Massachusetts's criminal usury section (G.L. c.271 §49(a)) is quoted here.

Check Massachusetts's own text

Before you charge: read Mass. Gen. Laws c.231 §6C and the other Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts with every state's answer, or with its neighbours just below.

Next door to Massachusetts

  • Connecticut: 8% if none agreed, depends by agreement
  • New Hampshire: depends if none agreed, depends by agreement
  • New York: depends if none agreed, 16% for homes
  • Rhode Island: 12% if none agreed, depends by agreement
  • Vermont: 12% if none agreed, depends by agreement

Official sources for Massachusetts

Every state in one file: Excel and CSV downloads

Where our data comes from

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