# Installment Plans

## What is an Installment Plan?

When a customer cannot pay a large bill at once, an installment plan splits
the outstanding amount into scheduled payments over multiple months.

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## Creating an Installment Plan

1. Open the bill detail page
2. Click **Create Installment Plan**
3. Enter the total number of installments
4. The system calculates the per-installment amount (`total_amount / installments`)
5. Due dates are auto-generated (one per month from today)
6. Click **Create Plan**

The bill status changes to `installment`.

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## InstallmentSchedule Statuses

| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| `pending` | Not yet due or not yet paid |
| `paid` | Payment recorded for this installment |
| `overdue` | Due date passed, not paid |
| `waived` | Waived by admin |

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## Recording an Installment Payment

1. Go to **Bills → Installment Plans** or open the bill detail
2. Find the pending installment
3. Click **Mark Paid**
4. Select payment method and enter details
5. A `Payment` record is created linked to the installment

When all installments are `paid`, the parent bill automatically moves to `paid`.

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## Viewing All Installment Plans

Go to **Bills → Installment Plans** for a list of all active plans with their
next due date and remaining balance.
