What is a remittance address? Examples of individual & business addresses

In today's digital-first economy, accurate payment details are more important than ever. Whether you run a small business, do freelancing, or simply send money to family overseas, having the correct payment information is key to avoiding delays and confusion.

One often overlooked but essential detail in many financial transactions is the remittance address. 

This is especially true when dealing with international transfers or issuing invoices to clients. A small mistake in the remittance address can cause significant problems, such as missed payments or returned checks.

So, what does remittance address mean? Is it the same as the billing address? What common mistakes do you need to avoid? Let's explore.

What is a remittance address?

A remittance address is the address to which a sender should send payments, typically in the form of a check, money order, or other manual payment method. It's not where goods are shipped. Instead, it's where the money goes.

Many companies, institutions, and even individuals have separate addresses for payments and general correspondence¹. This address is typically listed on invoices and payment instructions. It tells the payer exactly where to send the money, ensuring it reaches the correct accounting or finance department.

For instance, when a company sends you an invoice for services rendered, the remittance address listed is where they expect you to send the payment, not their headquarters or storefront.

Remittance address vs billing, mailing, and fulfillment addresses

When it comes to sending or receiving payments, filling out forms, or placing orders, you may come across several types of addresses: remittance, billing, mailing, and fulfillment (or shipping) addresses.

Without further ado, let's break down the differences so you know exactly which address to use in different situations.

Is the remittance address the same as the billing address?

This is one of the most common questions, and the answer is no, not always.
While some people may use the same address for both purposes (especially individuals), businesses often separate these for better organization. 

Let's explore what each address means and when it's used.

Billing address – linked to your card

The billing address is tied to a credit or debit card². When you make an online payment, your billing address is used to verify the transaction.

• It's required for security and fraud prevention.
• It must match the address on file with your card issuer.

Also, it's not necessarily where you live or want packages sent. For instance, if your card is registered to your old apartment, that address remains your billing address unless you update it.

Mailing address – where you get mail

A mailing address is where you receive your regular mail. This could be your home, office, or a P.O. Box. It's where you get letters, bills, and other physical correspondence.

You can have multiple mailing addresses depending on the context (e.g., personal and work). For example, a university might send you a diploma or notices to the mailing address listed.

Fulfillment or shipping address – where goods are delivered

A fulfillment address, also known as a shipping address, is the location where physical items (goods and products) are sent. This address is largely used in e-commerce and order fulfillment. It should be accurate to avoid lost or delayed deliveries. 

Additionally, a fulfillment address may differ from the billing or remittance address. For instance, you may order a gift online using your billing address for payment, but send the item to your friend's address.

Remittance address – where the money goes

This is the address specifically for receiving payments. It's used on invoices and other financial documents. Businesses may have a separate remittance address that differs from their physical office or mailing address.

Examples of remittance addresses

To understand how remittance addresses work in real life, here are some examples for both individuals and businesses.

For individuals

Imagine you are a freelancer and a client wants to pay you via a check. You provide them with your remittance address, which may simply be your home address:

In this case, your home and remittance address are the same. However, if you're traveling or living in multiple places, you may use a secure P.O. Box instead.

For businesses

Businesses often have dedicated remittance addresses separate from their main office.

These are typically:

• A PO Box, linked to their accounting department.
• A physical address with "Attn: Accounts Receivable."
• A department within a shared corporate office.

Consider the examples to get a better idea:

Example 1:

Example 2:

Using a specific remittance address helps businesses manage their finances efficiently and ensure that payments are processed without delay.

What is a remittance email address?

In today's digital world, it's not just about where the check goes – it's also about where the confirmation is sent.

A remittance email address is an email designated for receiving digital payment notifications or remittance confirmations. This is especially important when:

• You send payments via wire transfer or online banking.
• The recipient uses invoicing software (like QuickBooks or FreshBooks).
• You're working with freelancers, agencies, or vendors.

Instead of mailing, the payer emails a payment confirmation or receipt to the remittance email address.

Here's an example:

An agency might write on its invoice: "Please send all remittance confirmations to billing@agencyname.com."

This helps both sides stay on top of payments – no missed emails, no confusion.

When do you need to provide a remittance address?

A remittance address is essential when money is being sent from one person or business to another. However, when exactly do you need to provide this address? It depends on how you make or receive a payment.

Listed below are the most common situations in which you'll need to provide or request a remittance address.

When paying bills manually 

If you're sending a check through the mail or making a manual bank transfer, you need to know exactly where to send the payment. This is where the remittance address comes in.

• On most paper invoices or utility bills, there's a section labeled "Remit To" or "Remittance Address."
• This is the official address where your payment should be mailed, not necessarily the company's headquarters or storefront.
• If you use online banking to send a payment, you may also need to enter this address to help the system direct the funds.

This is increasingly important because if you send a check to the wrong address – say, the company's general mailing address – it may get lost or take significantly longer to reach the intended department.

When making international transfers

International payments can be more complex than domestic ones. Many money transfer services and banks require a remittance address to ensure that the funds are sent to the intended recipient or organization.

• It helps clarify who the funds are for and where confirmation or supporting documents should go.
• For international clients or vendors, the remittance address may be a local PO Box, an office in a specific country, or an address for their financial team.

Let's say you pay a vendor in another country. They may ask you to include a remittance address for tax records and to confirm receipt of funds.

When working with accounting teams or freelancers

If you hire a freelancer, contractor, or work with an accounting service, you'll often be asked to send payment to a specific remittance address.

1. For individuals, this could be a home address.
2. For businesses, it might be a P.O. Box or a department within a larger company.

Freelancers may also give you an email address (remittance email) to confirm that you've paid, especially if they use digital invoicing tools.

When transferring via BOSS Money or similar services

Apps like BOSS Money simplify money transfers, especially those across borders. However, even with digital tools, the recipient may need to provide a remittance address or email address for:

• Confirming the receipt of funds.
• Tracking the status of a transfer.
• Avoiding confusion, especially if names or contact details are similar.

For instance, when sending money to family abroad, your recipient might ask you to include a specific message or select their remittance address from a list.

How to add or update a remittance address

If you accept payments or send invoices, make sure your remittance address is clearly provided. Here's how to do it:

On invoices

When creating an invoice (for example, using Excel, MoonInvoice, or FreshBooks), always include a "Remit To" section. This ensures the payer knows where to send the money.

Example:

On user profiles (platforms like PayPal or BOSS Money)

If you use platforms such as PayPal, Stripe, or BOSS Money, you can usually set or update your remittance address in your account settings or business profile.

BOSS Money simplifies this by allowing users to:

1. Create digital profiles.
2. Add/update addresses.
3. Receive notifications when funds are sent or delivered.

Common mistakes to avoid

Even though a remittance address may seem like a minor detail, if it is incorrect, it can lead to major problems, such as delayed payments, confusion, or even lost funds. 

Whether you're a business owner, a freelancer, or someone handling international transfers, it's important to get your remittance details right.

Here are a few common mistakes people make with remittance addresses, and how you can avoid them:

Specifying a billing address instead of a remittance 

This is probably the most frequent mistake. 

A billing address (as we mentioned) is linked to your credit/debit card. Often, it's used for identity verification during online payments. It's not the same as the remittance address, which is where the actual payment should be sent, especially when paying by check or bank transfer.

Wondering why this is a problem? Consider the argument:

Therefore, always check the invoice or payment request. Look for terms like "Remit To" or "Remittance Address." This is the address where your check or payment details should be sent.

Forgetting to include an email for confirmation

With digital payments and international transfers, email confirmation is often as important as the payment itself. 

If you don't provide a remittance email address, the recipient may not know that the payment has been sent, or they may not be able to match the payment with the correct invoice.

To prevent it, make sure to include a dedicated remittance email address on your invoices, digital profiles, or vendor accounts. This ensures you stay updated on payment statuses.

Using an outdated company address

Businesses often relocate, change departments, or update their payment management systems. According to one report, 44% of small businesses³ and 38% of corporations relocate annually. 

If you're still using an old remittance address, your payment might be delayed – or worse, returned. 

This is particularly risky for companies that use a P.O. Box or third-party payment processor. If you send money to a vendor or business, be sure to verify that you have an up-to-date address.

Here's what you can do:

• Before mailing a check or setting up a bank transfer, confirm the remittance address with the recipient.
• If you're the one receiving money, make sure your payment details are current on all invoices and platforms.
• If you send recurring payments, make it a habit to verify the remittance address every few months.

Omitting "Attn:" or PO box details

Another common oversight is leaving out the "Attn:" line or missing PO Box numbers when sending checks or paper payments.

Without a clear point of contact (such as "Attn: Accounts Receivable"), the mail may go to a general office area and get lost in the shuffle. Missing a P.O. Boxes can cause the mail to be returned to you.

Make sure to use the full address exactly as provided. Include:

• PO Box (if given)
• "Attn:" with the right department or person's name
• Any internal codes or reference numbers

Final thoughts: Why accurate remittance details matter

There you have it! Now you know that an accurate remittance address is more than just a line on an invoice – it's the key to making sure money gets where it needs to go.

Whether you're an individual receiving money from friends or a business billing international clients, a clearly listed and accurate remittance address helps prevent payment delays, avoids confusion, and builds trust.

If you want more convenience, choose BOSS Money. They enable users to securely store and share remittance addresses. You can set up digital profiles, receive confirmation messages, and avoid the hassle of manual tracking.

Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of June 18, 2025

1. https://www.debitam.com/what-is-a-correspondence-address/
2. https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/check-and-change-billing-address/
3. https://www.movesolutions.com/blog/how-often-are-businesses-relocating-every-year/

This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.