[rahyt-awf, -of] 
| 1. | a cancellation from the accounts as a loss. |
| 2. | an uncollectable account. |
| 3. | a reduction in book value; depreciation. |
| 4. | Informal. a person or thing that is given up as hopeless or pointless: Joe's college career is a write-off. |
| write-off (rīt'ôf', -ŏf') n. Accounting
|
Write-Off
A reduction in the value of an asset or earnings by the amount of an expense or loss. Companies are able to write off certain expenses that are required to run the business, or have been incurred in the operation of the business and detract from retained revenues.
Investopedia Commentary
For example, if you spend money on dinner to take out a client, that meal is a possible write-off towards your income because you presumably discussed business opportunities during the dinner. Suppose, for another example, you made a sale on credit to a customer, but two weeks later the client's business declared bankruptcy and became completely unable to pay off the credit account with you. This uncollectible debt would then be written off by your company and recorded as an expense by accountants.
Related Links
Introduction to Fundamental Analysis
Advanced Financial Statement Analysis
Tax Tips For The Individual Investor
See also: Asset, Cash Flow, Operating Expense, Taxable Gain, Write-Down
Also spelled: Writeoff, write off