Penalty

In the context of debt collection, a penalty is a charge assessed on delinquent debts to discourage delinquencies and encourage early payment of the delinquent debt in full. The rate to be assessed is set by law at no more than 6% per year and is assessed on the portion of a debt remaining delinquent more than 90 days, although the charge will accrue and be assessed from the date of delinquency.