Windfall gain
Unusually high income that is sudden and/or unexpected
A windfall gain is an unusually high or abundant income, net profit or profit margin, that is sudden and/or unexpected.[1]
Types
Examples of windfall gains include, but are not limited to:
- Unexpected inheritance or other large gift from another
- Sweepstakes winnings
- Winning a lottery or success in another form of gambling
- Returns on investments
- Proceeds or profit from a large sale
- Game show, or other contest winnings
- Employment payroll bonus
- Natural resources
- Foreign aid
- Proceeds from an insurance claim
- Settlement from a lawsuit
- Discoveries from treasure hunting
Uses
What people do with windfall gains is subject to much debate. While they differ from one account to the next, most economists hypothesize that the majority of the gains are saved, due to the Permanent Income Hypothesis.[1]
Windfall profits
Windfall profits are a type of windfall gain. They can occur due to unforeseen circumstances in a product's market, such as unexpected demand or government regulation.[2]
Taxation
Since windfall profits were unforeseen, some legislators believe that taxing them at a higher rate, or confiscating them outright, should not hurt the company. This type of taxation is known as a windfall profits tax.[3]
See also
- Demutualization – Form of privatization
References
- ^ a b "Windfall Gains". The Economist. January 1, 2007. Archived from the original on July 18, 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-09.
- ^ Twin, Alexandra (December 19, 2022). "Windfall Profits: What it is, How it Works, Examples". Investopedia. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
- ^ "Windfall Profit". The Economist. January 1, 2007. Archived from the original on July 18, 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-09.
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