Payment deadline ducked, deducting middle bit (3,4)

I believe the answer is:

due date

'payment deadline' is the definition.

'ducked deducting middle bit' is the wordplay.
'deducting middle' means to remove the middle letters.
'bit' becomes 'ate' ('bite' can be similar in meaning to 'eat').
'ducked' with its middle taken out is 'dued'.
'dued'+'ate'='DUE DATE'

(Another definition for due date that I've seen is " Term".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app