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Is sales discount an expense account?

Author

Isabella Turner

Updated on January 01, 2026

Definition of Sales Discounts Sales discounts are also known as cash discounts or early payment discounts. Hence, the general ledger account Sales Discounts is a contra revenue account. Sales discounts are not reported as an expense.

What account does sales discount go under?

Sales discounts are recorded in a contra revenue account such as Sales Discounts. Hence, its debit balance will be one of the deductions from sales (gross sales) in order to report the amount of net sales.

How are discounts treated in accounting?

When the seller allows a discount, this is recorded as a reduction of revenues, and is typically a debit to a contra revenue account. For example, the seller allows a $50 discount from the billed price of $1,000 in services that it has provided to a customer.

Is discounts allowed an expense?

Discounts. ‘Discounts allowed’ to customers reduce the actual income received and will reduce the profit of the business. They are therefore an expense of the business so would go on the debit side of the trial balance.

Do you close sales discount account?

Sales Discounts and Sales Returns and Allowances are both contra revenue accounts so each has a normal debit balance. To close these debit balance accounts, a credit is required with a corresponding debit to the income summary.

What is the difference between a sales discount and a purchase discount?

A sales discount refers to reduction in the price of an item or product that a customer buys from a retailer. Getting a purchase discount also encourages the retailers to offer sales discounts to their customers. Purchase Discounts: Individual customers are not the only ones that get discounts.

How is sales discount treated in an income statement?

If a customer takes advantage of these terms and pays less than the full amount of an invoice, the seller records the discount as a debit to the sales discounts account and a credit to the accounts receivable account.

How do you close a sales discount account?

To close Sales, it must be debited with a corresponding credit to the income summary. Sales Discounts and Sales Returns and Allowances are both contra revenue accounts so each has a normal debit balance. Cost of Goods Sold has a normal debit balance because it is an expense.

How do you record a discount allowed?

The discount allowed is the expense of the seller. Discount Received is an income of the buyer. Discount allowed is debited in the books of the seller. Discount Received is credited in the books of the buyer.

Is purchase discount an income?

Purchase discounts is a contra revenue account. On the income statement, purchase discounts goes just below the sales revenue account. The difference between the two results in net sales revenue. Accounts receivable is a current asset included on the company’s balance sheet.

Is discount allowed in income statement?

Cash discounts will go under Debit in the Profit and Loss account. Trade discounts are not recorded in the financial statement. The discount allowed journal entry will be treated as an expense, and it’s not accounted for as a deduction from total sales revenue.