The phrase means: send us the money you owe, in the way we've specified
Remit is a formal word for "send" or "pay." When a bill, invoice, or notice says "please remit payment," it is asking you to send money to settle what you owe. The phrase is common in business and government documents because it is precise — it does not leave room for confusion about what is being asked.
You will see "remit payment" on utility bills, medical invoices, property tax notices, court orders, loan statements, and insurance documents. It always means the same thing: the organization wants you to send them money by a specific date, usually to a specific address or account.
The word "remit" itself comes from Latin and means "to send back." In financial language, it has stuck around because it is unambiguous. A creditor or government agency uses it to sound official and to make clear that payment is not optional — it is a requirement.
Key Takeaways
- "Remit payment" means send money you owe to the address or account listed on the bill or notice.
- The phrase appears on bills from utilities, landlords, courts, tax agencies, and lenders because it is formal and leaves no room for misunderstanding.
- A remittance is the actual money or payment you send in response to a remit request.
- The notice will usually specify a important date, a payment amount, and where to send the money — check all three before you pay.
Where you will see "remit payment" and what it means in each context
On a utility bill (electric, water, gas, internet), "please remit payment" means send your monthly bill amount to the utility company by the due date shown. If you do not, your service may be shut off.
On a property tax or vehicle registration notice, it means send the tax amount to your county or state tax office by the important date. These are government demands, not requests, and penalties for late payment are steep.
On a court order (for child support, fines, restitution, or a judgment), it means send the ordered amount to the court or to the person the court named. Failure to remit can result in contempt charges or wage garnishment.
On a medical or dental bill, it means send your portion (what insurance did not cover) to the provider's billing office. The address or online payment portal will be listed on the bill.
On a loan statement or credit card bill, it means send at least the minimum payment shown by the due date to avoid interest charges and damage to your credit.
How to remit payment: the methods and what to include
Most organizations that ask you to remit payment will list several ways to send it: by mail, online portal, phone, automatic bank transfer, or in person. Choose the method that works for you, but check the bill or notice to see which methods they accept.
If you are paying by mail, include the payment stub or invoice number that came with the bill. Write your account number on the check or money order itself. Mail it to the address printed on the bill, not to a general company address — payment processing centers are separate from main offices and mail sent to the wrong place will be delayed.
If you are paying online, use the official website or portal listed on your bill. Do not search for a payment site on your own — scammers create fake payment pages that look real. Go directly from the bill or from a phone call to the organization's official number.
If you are paying by phone, call the number on the bill. Have your account number and payment method (bank account or card) ready. Ask for a confirmation number and keep it.
The difference between "remit" and other payment words you might see
Remit is formal and means send money to settle a debt or obligation. It is used by organizations with authority — government agencies, courts, utilities, lenders.
Pay is the everyday word for the same thing. "Please pay your bill" and "please remit payment" mean the same thing, but "remit" sounds more official and is used when the payment is required, not optional.
Submit sometimes appears instead of remit ("submit payment"), and it means the same thing — send the money to the specified place.
Remittance is the noun form: it is the actual money or payment you send in response to a remit request. If you send $150 to pay your electric bill, that $150 is your remittance.
What to do if you cannot remit payment by the important date
If you cannot pay by the due date, contact the organization when ready — do not wait. Call the phone number on the bill and explain your situation. Many utilities, lenders, and government agencies have hardship programs, payment plans, or the ability to extend a important date by a few days.
If it is a court-ordered payment (child support, fines, restitution), contact the court or the agency handling the case. Explain that you cannot pay on time and ask about a payment plan. Courts have authority to modify payment schedules if you show good faith effort.
If it is a medical bill, ask the provider's billing office about a payment plan. Most hospitals and large practices will break a bill into monthly installments rather than send it to collections.
If it is a utility bill and you are low-income, ask whether the utility offers a hardship program or whether you are may be able to access for bill information through your state or local government.
What happens if you do not remit payment
The consequences depend on what the bill is for. If it is a utility bill and you do not remit payment, the utility will send a shut-off notice and eventually disconnect your service. You will have to pay a reconnection fee to restore it.
If it is a property tax or court-ordered payment and you do not remit, the government can place a lien on your property, garnish your wages, or suspend your driver's license. These actions happen without further warning.
If it is a medical or credit card bill and you do not remit, the creditor will report the missed payment to credit bureaus, damaging your credit score. After 120 to 180 days, they may send it to a collection agency.
The sooner you contact the organization and explain the problem, the more options you usually have. Ignoring a remit notice makes the situation worse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does "please remit payment" mean I have to pay right now?
No. "Please remit" means send payment by the due date shown on the bill or notice. That date is usually 10 to 30 days away. If no date is listed, contact the organization to ask when payment is due.
What if I remit payment but the organization says they never received it?
If you paid by mail, the check may have been lost. If you paid online or by phone, ask for a confirmation number and keep it. If the organization claims non-receipt, show them the confirmation number or a bank record of the payment. Most will investigate and credit your account once they see proof.
Can I remit payment in cash?
Some organizations accept cash in person at their office or at authorized payment centers. Most do not accept cash by mail because it can be lost or stolen. Check the bill to see which payment methods are accepted, or call and ask.
Is "remit payment" the same as "submit payment"?
Yes, they mean the same thing. Both ask you to send money to settle what you owe. "Remit" is slightly more formal and is used more often in legal and government documents.
What is a remittance address?
A remittance address is the mailing address where you should send your payment. It is usually printed on the bill or invoice. Always use the remittance address listed on your bill, not a general company address, because payments are processed at a separate location.