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DawnW7 (South Carolina)
Posts: 21
Posted:
I have read several forum topics on this, and there appear to be varying answers (to budget or not to budget). Last year, $ 9,500 was budgeted because two homeowners had not paid dues for 13 years. Yes, I know. 13. I was able to get them into a payment plan using our attorney, and we are now auto-drafting monthly from their bank accounts.

Q1: Now that they are paying the back dues, do I account for that on the bad debt expense line or assessments?

Q2: For 2027, I’m looking at approx. $900 as bad debt. Budget for it or don’t?

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,104
Posted:
I found the following info: https://hoacpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/FAQ-Why-and-How-to-Budget-for-Bad-Debts.html

In both my previous and current Association, we did not have a line item for bad debt.
Our budget would have annual income (as if all members paid on time) and annual expenses (broken out in various line items).

At the end of the year, some line items may be on budget, under budget or over budget (depending on the actual expenses or amount of delinquent members).
The Board can authorize a delay in deposits to the reserves if needed to offset a bad year or simply defer some other line item (in my last Association, it was adjusting the amount spent for pruning trees or delay a need to spend funds for legal issues).

To address members not paying on time, our operating account (checking) would be budgeted for a beginning balance on January 1 (or the start of your fiscal year) equal to two or three months expenses. The actual amount would vary depending on advance payments and delinquent accounts.

This cushion is used to address the difference between the bills becoming due and the receipt of income. In a case where one or two members consistently don't pay, you may need to increase the overall assessment amount to allow for more leeway in the budget item.



TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,104
Posted:
Dawn,

I am a little confused. How do you experience a $900 bad debt when you should be receiving this years full amount plus additional funds to pay off the past due amount?
DawnW7 (South Carolina)
Posts: 21
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimB4 on 07/16/2026, 7:27 PM

Dawn,
I am a little confused. How do you experience a $900 bad debt when you should be receiving this years full amount plus additional funds to pay off the past due amount?

Tim,

Thanks for your responses and the two links. The $900 is what I estimate probably not being able to collect in 2027.

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