Amortization
Amortization refers to the process of spreading out a loan into a series of fixed payments over a specified period of time. Each payment covers both principal and interest, resulting in the gradual reduction of the loan balance.
Depreciation
Depreciation refers to the methodical reduction in the recorded cost of a tangible fixed asset, allocated over its useful life. It is a key accounting concept employed to denote the impairment of value of assets over time due to wear and tear, age, or obsolescence.
Discretionary Trust
A discretionary trust is a type of trust agreement that grants the trustee the authority to administer the trust's assets and income based on their own judgment, as long as they act with prudence and common sense.
Facsimile Transmission (FAX)
Facsimile transmission, often referred to as 'fax,' is the telephonic transmission of scanned printed material (both text and images) to a telephone number connected to a printer or other output device.
HM Treasury
The UK government department responsible for the country's financial policies and management of the economy. It is run by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Interest on Dividends
Interest earned on dividends from a participating life insurance policy left on deposit with the insurance company and subject to taxation.
Profits Chargeable to Corporation Tax (PCTCT)
Profits chargeable to corporation tax (PCTCT) represent the total taxable profits of a corporation on which corporation tax is calculated. This includes profits from trading, property, investment income, overseas income, and chargeable gains, after deducting any allowable charges.
T Account
A visual representation used in accounting to depict individual ledger accounts, reflecting debits and credits in a format resembling the letter 'T'.
T-Account
A visual representation used in accounting to represent individual accounts where debits and credits are recorded. Resembling the capital letter 'T', it simplifies the tracing of transactions and helps ensure accurate bookkeeping.
T-statistic
The T-statistic is a statistical measure used to compare the means of two groups or to assess if a sample mean significantly differs from a known value. It is instrumental in hypothesis testing, particularly when the sample size is small, and the population standard deviation is unknown.
T1 Line
A T1 Line is a special type of telephone line used exclusively for digital communication, offering a maximum data rate of 1.544 million bits per second. It is known for its speed and reliability, especially when compared to traditional dial-up connections.
Table
A table is a coherent and systematic presentation of data and data calculations combined with textual descriptions for the purpose of conveying understanding of particular findings and information. A spreadsheet is a typical example.
Tablet Computer
A complete mobile computer, larger than a smartphone or PDA, integrated into a flat touch screen and primarily operated by touching the screen. Unlike traditional laptops, it often uses an onscreen virtual keyboard or a digital pen rather than a physical keyboard.
Tabloid
A tabloid is a type of newspaper with a page size smaller than that of a standard newspaper, typically focusing on sensational news stories and a multitude of photographs.
Tactic
A tactic is a short-term method or plan employed to achieve a specific objective or resolve a particular problem, often within a larger strategic framework.
Tactical Objectives
Performance targets established by middle management for achieving specific organizational outcomes. Also called tactical plans.
Taffler's Z Score
Taffler's Z Score is a financial metric used to predict the likelihood of a company going bankrupt within a year, specifically tailored to UK-based companies. It is often compared to other financial distress prediction models, such as the Altman Z Score.
Taft-Hartley Act
The Taft-Hartley Act, formally known as the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947, aims to protect employers' rights to resist unionization and restrict union activities, imposing on unions many of the conditions for good faith bargaining previously imposed on management by earlier laws.
Tag Sale
A tag sale, also known as a garage sale, is an event where individuals sell used household items at marked prices, typically held on weekends at their homes.
Take
The term 'take' can have multiple interpretations depending on the context, ranging from profit realization to the act of seizing property, as well as particular connotations in the securities market.
Take a Flier
To speculate, usually with the knowledge that the investment is highly risky, often in the context of buying securities.
Take a Position
Taking a position refers to the act of buying and holding stock in a company for the long term or to gain control, and can relate to holding long or short positions in stocks or bonds.
Take-Home Pay
Take-home pay is the amount of wages a worker actually receives after all deductions, including taxes, have been made from their gross income.
Take-or-Pay
Take-or-pay is an arrangement where a customer commits to purchasing a certain quantity of a product over a specified period, often at a predetermined price. If the customer fails to meet the agreed-upon purchase quantity, they must still pay the seller. This contract structure protects the buyer against price increases and secures the seller against price decreases.
Take-Out Loan / Take-Out Financing
Take-out loan or take-out financing is a permanent loan replacing short-term financing, especially for construction projects, where the conditions specified, such as unit sales or lease percentages, need to be met.
Takeoff
The term 'takeoff' refers to a critical point in the development and growth of a producer, an industry, or an economy, marking the stage at which it becomes economically viable and self-sustaining.
Takeout
A takeout loan in real estate refers to a long-term mortgage loan made to refinance a short-term construction loan. In the securities industry, takeout refers to the withdrawal of cash from a brokerage account, usually after a sale and purchase have resulted in a net credit balance.
Takeover
A takeover represents a change in the controlling interest of a corporation. This can occur through friendly acquisition and merger, or via an unfriendly bid that might be contested by the target company's management employing defensive strategies known as shark repellent techniques.
Takeover Bid
A comprehensive overview of the concept of a takeover bid in the context of corporate acquisitions, including explanations of types, outcomes, examples, related terms, and resources for further study.
Takeover Panel
The Takeover Panel, also known historically as the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, provides the regulatory framework dedicated to overseeing corporate acquisitions and mergers, ensuring fair treatment of shareholders and maintaining confidence in the UK financial markets.
Taking
The acquisition of private property for public use under the power of eminent domain and the restrictions under police power that may preclude reasonable use of the property.
Taking Delivery
Taking delivery refers to the acceptance of goods, commodities, or securities by the recipient, with documentation such as a bill of lading, reflecting the transfer and acknowledgment of receipt.
Taking Inventory
Taking inventory involves the physical counting and valuation of stock in trade. Typically performed at year-end, it can also be conducted more frequently or at different times.
Talk Turkey
The phrase 'talk turkey' means to get serious and focus on the real business or important matters at hand. It often implies a straightforward and direct conversation.
Tall Organization
A traditional hierarchical organization structure characterized by many levels of supervision and a narrow span of control.
Tally
A tally is a count of specific items or occasions, often used in contexts like voting, inventory counting, and record keeping. It is a fundamental method of tracking occurrences to aid decision-making and analysis.
Tallyman
A tallyman is an individual who either supplies goods on credit to be paid for in installments or one who tallies or keeps a count of items, such as votes or cargo.
Tangible Asset
A Tangible Asset is any asset with physical existence, such as real estate, gold, or machinery.
Tangible Assets
Tangible assets are physical items that hold value and can be seen and touched, used by businesses to generate revenue.
Tangible Personal Property
Tangible personal property refers to objects that can be physically touched and are not classified as real estate. When determining whether a fixture is real estate or tangible personal property, the method of attachment is pivotal.
Tank Car
A tank car is a type of transportation equipment specifically designed to carry liquids. It is commonly used in the railroad industry to transport a wide range of liquid commodities, including milk, chemicals, and petroleum products.
Tap Stock
A tap stock, also known as a 'tap issue' or 'tap security,' is a gilt-edged security reissued in the market when its price reaches a pre-determined level. There are 'short taps' and 'long taps' depending on their maturity dates.
TAPE
A versatile term used in various contexts, referring to the service that reports prices and transactions on exchanges, a news wire service, or a magnetic computer storage medium.
Tape Drive
A tape drive is a storage device that converts information stored on magnetic tape into signals that can be sent to a computer. It is commonly used for backup and archival purposes due to its capacity to store large amounts of data.
Taper Relief
Taper Relief was a tax relief mechanism used in the U.K. to reduce the amount of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) payable on the disposal of assets, provided these assets were held for a certain period. It was replaced by Entrepreneurs' Relief in 2008.
Tare Weight
Tare weight refers to the weight of an empty container, such as an empty truck or packing material, and is used in logistics to measure the net weight of goods.
Target Audience
The specific group of consumers at which a company aims its products and services, generally defined by demographic and psychographic characteristics such as age, sex, education, income, and buying habits.
Target Company
A company that is the subject of a takeover bid by another company. Understanding the dynamics and implications of being a target company is crucial for shareholders, managers, and potential acquirers.
Target Costing
A strategic method for pricing products or services based on the price customers are willing to pay, ensuring both market competitiveness and profitability.
Target Market
A target market is a specific group of consumers at which a company aims its products and services. This group is identified based on various attributes and preferences that align with the company's offerings, forming a crucial aspect of marketing strategy.
Target Price
Target price refers to the projected price level of a financial security, as projected by an analyst or determined by an acquirer in various financial and business contexts.
Tariff
A tariff is a federal tax imposed on imports or exports, which can either be designed to raise revenue or protect domestic industries. Additionally, tariffs can refer to a schedule of rates or charges for freight.
Tariff War
A tariff war is an international trade conflict where nations impose counterbalancing tariff rates in retaliation to each other's tariff policies, aiming to gain trade advantages but often resulting in adverse economic consequences.
Task Force
A temporary team of people assembled to achieve a specific objective, usually involving investigative activities. Often used in private and public organizations, a task force actively pursues the achievement of its mission, after which it is disbanded.
Task Group
A task group is a collaborative team operating within a larger organizational context, assigned the mission to contribute specifically to the goals of the parent organization. These groups can be either ongoing or temporary.
Task Management
Task management is the process of managing a task through its life cycle, which includes planning, testing, tracking, and reporting. It involves the coordination of procedures and materials needed to complete various tasks.
Taskbar
The taskbar is the area at the bottom of the screen in Windows operating systems, containing the Start Menu and buttons for every open application or window. It also includes icons in the System Tray (Systray) for various functions like volume control, clock, network connection, and specialized programs.
Tax
A tax is a mandatory financial charge or some other type of levy imposed upon a taxpayer by a governmental organization in order to fund various public expenditures. Taxes include income tax, sales tax, property tax, estate tax, and others.
Tax Abatement
A tax abatement is a reprieve from a tax obligation, varying from partial to complete forgiveness. Governments often grant tax abatements as incentives for real estate or industrial development.
Tax Accountant
A tax accountant is a professional specializing in preparing, filing, and managing tax returns for individuals and businesses, ensuring compliance with tax laws and maximizing tax efficiency.
Tax Accounting: An Overview
Tax accounting is an accounting specialization focusing on tax preparation, compliance, and planning. It involves the application of accounting principles to adhere to tax laws and accurately report tax-related information.
Tax Advantage
A tax advantage is a benefit that individuals and businesses experience when they are eligible for a reduction in a charge to taxation, which can arise through exemptions, deductions, credits, or deferrals.
Tax Allocation
The process of distributing a tax charge among different sources of income to ensure appropriate tax liability allocation.
Tax Allowance
A tax allowance is a threshold within the tax code that partially or completely exempts certain amounts of income, spending, or investment from taxation. This allowance can reduce the amount of tax that must be paid.
Tax and Loan Account
A Tax and Loan Account is a specialized account held in a private-sector depository institution, managed by the district Federal Reserve Bank as the fiscal agent for the U.S. Treasury, primarily serving as a repository for the operating cash of the U.S. government.
Tax Anticipation Bill (TAB)
A Tax Anticipation Bill (TAB) is a short-term debt obligation issued by the U.S. Treasury, primarily utilized by corporations to streamline their tax payments and manage liquidity.
Tax Anticipation Note (TAN)
A Tax Anticipation Note (TAN) is a short-term debt instrument issued by state or municipal governments to finance immediate expenditures by borrowing against projected tax revenues. TANs help even out cash flow across fiscal periods and are repaid once the corresponding tax revenues are collected.
Tax Assessment
A tax assessment is a schedule issued by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) showing a calculation of a taxpayer's liability to income tax. Income sources are identified separately, and individuals could receive multiple tax assessments for each fiscal year, depending on the number of different income sources.
Tax Assessor
A tax assessor is an official who determines the value of properties within a specific jurisdiction for the purpose of calculating property taxes.
Tax Audit
A tax audit is an examination of an individual's or organization's tax returns by the tax authorities to ensure that financial information is reported accurately and according to taxation laws. The primary aim is to verify that the amount of tax declared and paid is accurate.
Tax Base
The specified domain on which a tax is levied, such as an individual's income for income tax, the estate of a deceased person for inheritance tax, and the profits of a company for corporation tax.
Tax Basis
Tax basis refers to the value used for tax purposes to determine the gain or loss on the sale or transfer of an asset, and it includes various adjustments over time.
Tax Benefit Rule
The Tax Benefit Rule addresses the treatment of certain recoveries or repayments as taxable or deductible based on how they affect tax liability in prior years.
Tax Bracket
A tax bracket refers to a range of income that is taxed at a specific rate. As income increases and moves into higher brackets, the rate of taxation is adjusted according to predefined thresholds set by the tax authority.
Tax Break
A tax break refers to a reduction in tax liability that the government offers to stimulate or incentivize particular economic activities or behaviors.
Tax Code
The tax code refers to the body of tax law applicable in a country, within which tax legislation is codified rather than laid down by statute. Understanding the nuances of the tax code is essential for both individuals and businesses to ensure compliance with tax obligations.
Tax Commissioners
Tax Commissioners are officials responsible for overseeing tax assessments, collections, and tax-related legal matters within a designated area. They often play a crucial role in interpreting tax laws and policy application.
Tax Court
An independent 19-judge federal administrative agency that functions as a court to hear appeals by taxpayers from adverse administrative decisions by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Tax Court does not require the taxpayer to pay the alleged deficiency prior to suit. An adverse decision may be appealed as of right to the Court of Appeals and in rare cases to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Tax Credit
A tax credit is a tax incentive that allows certain taxpayers to subtract the amount of the credit from the total they owe the state. It can be used in various contexts such as dividends paid by a company, allowances against a tax liability, and social security payments in the UK.
Tax Deductible
A tax-deductible expense can be used to reduce taxable income, resulting in a lower tax liability. Common examples include interest on housing, ad valorem taxes, depreciation, repairs, maintenance, utilities, and other ordinary and necessary business expenses.
Tax Deduction
A tax deduction reduces the amount of income subject to tax, thereby decreasing the total tax bill for individuals or businesses. Tax deductions can encompass a wide range of expenses, from mortgage interest to medical expenses.
Tax Deed
A tax deed is an instrument given to a grantee by a government that has claimed the property due to unpaid taxes. It legally transfers ownership of the property from the government to the buyer at a tax sale.
Tax Deposit
A tax deposit is a method used to pay federal tax liabilities through either a Federal Reserve Bank or a commercial bank that has been designated as a U.S. depository.
Tax Deposit Certificate
A Tax Deposit Certificate is issued by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to a taxpayer who has made an advance payment for future liabilities such as income tax, capital-gains tax, or inheritance tax. It offers an interest-bearing option for managing tax obligations efficiently.
Tax District
A tax district, also known as a central assessment district, is a special area established by local government regions or authorities to delineate boundaries within which property taxes are assessed and collected based on common valuation metrics.
Tax Evasion
Minimizing tax liabilities illegally, typically by not disclosing taxable income or providing false information to tax authorities. It contrasts with tax avoidance, which is the legal practice of reducing tax liabilities through lawful means.
Tax Exemption
A tax exemption refers to a statutory provision which reduces or eliminates the obligation to pay a financial charge (tax) that would otherwise be imposed by a governing body.
Tax Exile
A tax exile is an individual who relocates to a country with more favorable tax conditions to avoid high taxation in their home country.
Tax Foreclosure
Tax foreclosure is the legal process to enforce a lien against a property due to nonpayment of delinquent property taxes.
Tax Harmonization
Tax harmonization refers to the process of making tax systems more compatible across different jurisdictions, typically to minimize differences in tax bases and tax rates. This process aims to reduce tax competition and prevent tax evasion while fostering economic integration. However, it often faces resistance as it can limit the fiscal autonomy of individual governments.
Tax Haven
A tax haven is a country or jurisdiction with very low 'effective' rates of taxation for foreign investors. It may also refer to those providing the services.
Tax Holiday
A tax holiday is a government incentive program that offers a temporary reduction or elimination of tax payments for businesses, providing economic impetus for specific activities such as export growth or new industry development.
Tax Impact
Tax impact refers to the effect of a tax upon the production and consumption of the good being taxed, as well as the influence of the tax on broader economic processes such as production or consumption.
Tax Incentive
A tax incentive is a feature of the taxation system that encourages or discourages certain economic activities.
Tax Incidence
Tax incidence refers to the analysis of the distribution of the tax burden between buyers and sellers. It assesses who ultimately bears the economic burden of a tax.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a public financing method used by municipalities to subsidize costs for development or redevelopment projects in distressed areas, with the goal of stimulating economic growth and increasing future tax revenues.
Tax Invoice
A detailed value added tax (VAT) invoice provided by a taxable person to another taxable person when a taxable supply exceeds £100, containing essential transaction and tax information.

Accounting Terms Lexicon

Discover comprehensive accounting definitions and practical insights. Empowering students and professionals with clear and concise explanations for a better understanding of financial terms.