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Idaho · checked October 24, 2026

Payday loans in Idaho: the rules and your way out

Payday loans allowed, with limits

Idaho licenses payday lenders under the Idaho Credit Code and allows loans of up to $1,000 (and no more than 25% of gross monthly income) with no cap on the fee, up to three renewals, and a once-a-year right to a no-cost extended payment plan.

Law: Idaho Code §§ 28-46-401 to 28-46-415 (Idaho Credit Code, Part 4, Payday Loans). Idaho Statutes on the Idaho Legislature site (updated each July 1 after the session, so current through the 2026 regular session); section histories show last amendments in 2014; read 2026-10-24

Idaho's rules, line by line

Largest loan
$1,000 principal per loan (Idaho Code § 28-46-412(2)); aggregate principal outstanding from one licensee and its affiliates may not exceed $1,000 plus fees (§ 28-46-413(1)); a loan may not exceed 25% of the borrower's gross monthly income (§ 28-46-413(2)).
Shortest term
No minimum term stated in Part 4.
Longest term
No maximum term stated in Part 4.
Fee or rate cap
No cap: "A licensee may charge a fee for each payday loan," deemed fully earned when made and not deemed interest; no other fees except as the act allows (Idaho Code § 28-46-412(3)). Fees must be posted as a dollar amount per $100 (§ 28-46-412(4)).
Renewals and rollovers
A licensee may renew a payday loan no more than three consecutive times, after which it must be repaid in full (Idaho Code § 28-46-413(9)).
Waiting period between loans
None: a borrower may take a new loan with the licensee any time after a prior loan is completed (Idaho Code § 28-46-413(9)).
Loans at once
No count limit; aggregate principal from one licensee and its commonly controlled affiliates capped at $1,000 plus fees (Idaho Code § 28-46-413(1)). A payday loan may not be repaid with proceeds of another payday loan from the same licensee or affiliate (§ 28-46-413(5)). No cross-lender limit.
Payment plan if you cannot pay
Yes. Once in any consecutive 12-month period, the lender must, on the borrower's request, enter into a written extended payment plan executed no later than the day the loan is due, with at least four equal payments over at least 60 days; the borrower owes no more than under the original loan, the lender may not charge interest or additional fees (other than returned-check charges under § 28-46-413(6)), and it may not start collection while the borrower complies (Idaho Code § 28-46-414). Ask the lender in writing on or before the due date.
State loan database
No
Limits on collection
Lender may not threaten criminal action for any payment deficit (Idaho Code § 28-46-413(7)). If a check is returned, the lender may collect only the charges allowed by § 28-22-105 if disclosed in the agreement (a collection fee of no more than $20 and 12% annual interest from dishonor, plus court-awarded attorney's fees if sued) and may not charge treble damages; the same limits bind third-party collectors (§ 28-46-413(6); § 28-22-105). No more than two electronic re-presentments of a borrower's check (§ 28-46-412(8)). Only the borrower's check may be taken as security (§ 28-46-413(10)). A payday loan made by an unlicensed lender is void, uncollectible and unenforceable, and the borrower may recover principal and fees paid (§ 28-46-402(3)).
Other rights
Right to rescind at no cost before close of business on the next business day by repaying the principal in cash or immediately available funds (Idaho Code § 28-46-413(12)). Right to redeem the check at any time before it is presented by paying the full amount (§ 28-46-412(5)(b)). Required written disclosures, including the right to file a complaint with the Idaho Department of Finance and the one-time right to an extended payment plan (§ 28-46-415).

If you are behind on a payday loan in Idaho

  1. Ask for the payment plan before the due date. Idaho law gives borrowers a way to repay in installments. The details are in the table above. Ask in writing and keep a copy.
  2. Stop the automatic withdrawals if they are emptying your account. You can revoke the lender's permission to debit your account and tell your bank. How to do it.
  3. Look at a credit union payday alternative loan. Federal credit unions can lend $200 to $2,000 at much lower cost. How they work.
  4. Talk to a nonprofit credit counselor. A counselor can look at all your bills, not just this one. How to find a real one.

Check a lender, or report one

Sources

This page summarizes the law; it is not legal advice. Laws change, and the statute and regulator control. If something here is out of date, write to hello@paydayloan.help.

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