What is a 'bad debt' in accounting?

In accounting, a 'bad debt' refers to an amount owed to a business that is unlikely to be repaid. This typically occurs when a customer has gone bankrupt or is otherwise unable to fulfill their financial obligations. When a business identifies a receivable as a bad debt, it recognizes that the money it expected to receive will not be collected, leading to a potential loss.

Recognizing bad debt is essential for maintaining accurate financial records, as it allows businesses to reflect a more realistic picture of their assets and expected cash flow. Consequently, businesses often create an allowance for doubtful accounts to anticipate and account for bad debts in their financial statements.

The other choices do not accurately describe bad debt. Debt that is fully repayable suggests that the full amount will be collected, which is the opposite of what bad debt implies. High-interest debt and debt with guaranteed collateral can still be collectible and do not indicate that the debt is bad. Thus, the definition of bad debt is specifically tied to the expectation of non-repayment.