Tax & Accounting Glossary
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1099 -
An IRS form used to report income received outside of wages, such as contract work or freelance earnings, for individuals who are not traditional employees.
Accrual -
An accounting method that records income and expenses when they are earned or incurred, regardless of when the related cash transactions occur.
Amortization -
The systematic allocation of the cost of intangible assets, like patents or trademarks, over their estimated useful life.
Audit -
An in-depth examination of a company’s financial records, transactions, and systems by an independent auditor to verify accuracy, compliance with regulations, and financial health.
Audited Financials -
Financial statements reviewed and verified by an independent auditor for accuracy, compliance, and transparency.
Balance Sheet -
A financial statement presenting a snapshot of a company’s assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity, offering insight into its financial position at a given time.
Bookkeeping -
The systematic recording, organizing, and classifying of financial transactions, forming the foundation for accurate financial statements and decision-making.
Capital Expenditure -
Money spent on acquiring or improving long-term assets, such as buildings or equipment, which benefit the company for an extended period.
Capital Gains -
The profit realized from the sale of assets, such as stocks, real estate, or other investments, and is subject to specific tax rates.
Cash Flow -
The movement of money into and out of a business over a specific period, indicating its ability to generate and manage cash.
CPA -
A Certified Public Accountant is a licensed professional who provides accounting, tax, audit, and financial advisory services to individuals, businesses, and organizations.
Deduction -
An allowable expense or reduction in taxable income, which results in a lower tax liability for individuals and businesses.
Dependent -
An individual, typically a child or relative, who relies on another taxpayer for financial support and may qualify for certain tax benefits.
Depreciation -
A method used in accounting to allocate the cost of tangible assets over their useful life, reflecting their gradual wear and tear or obsolescence.
EBITDA -
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization represents a company’s operating profitability before considering non-operating expenses.
FIFO -
First-In, First-Out is an inventory valuation method that assumes the first items purchased or produced are the first to be sold or used.
Financial Statement -
A formal record summarizing a company’s financial activities, including balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, and statement of changes in equity.
GAAP -
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles are a set of standard accounting rules and guidelines that provide a consistent framework for financial reporting, ensuring transparency and comparability.
IRS -
The Internal Revenue Service is the federal agency in the United States responsible for enforcing tax laws, collecting taxes, and administering tax-related programs.
Payroll -
The process of managing employee compensation, including wages, salaries, bonuses, and taxes withheld, ensuring compliance with labor laws and tax regulations.
Payroll Tax -
Taxes withheld from employee wages, including income tax, Social Security tax, Medicare tax, and unemployment taxes.
ROA -
Return on Assets measures a company’s efficiency in generating profit from its total assets.
Tax Deductible -
Expenses that can be subtracted from taxable income, reducing the amount of tax owed, potentially resulting in lower overall tax liability.
Tax Return -
A document filed with tax authorities that reports a taxpayer’s income, deductions, and tax liability for a specific period, enabling the calculation of taxes owed or refunds due.
Taxable Income -
The portion of an individual’s or company’s income subject to taxation after accounting for allowable deductions and exemptions.
TDS -
Tax Deducted at Source is a system used in some countries to collect income tax at the time of payment, ensuring timely revenue collection for the government.
W-2 -
A Wage and Tax Statement issued by employers to employees, reporting their annual wages and taxes withheld for income tax purposes.
Withholding -
The process of deducting income taxes and other obligations from employee paychecks, which are then remitted to the tax authorities on their behalf.