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Microlesson · 5-min read

AS 9 – Trade Discount vs Cash Discount

## Trade Discounts vs Cash Discounts

### Trade Discount

  • A reduction given at the time of sale (e.g., 'buy 10, get 10% off')
  • Always deducted from revenue — revenue is recognised at net price
  • Trade discount is not recorded separately in the books

### Cash Discount

  • A reduction offered for early payment (e.g., '2% discount if paid within 10 days')
  • Revenue is recognised at the gross amount (full invoice value)
  • Cash discount is recorded as a separate expense when availed
FeatureTrade DiscountCash Discount
When givenAt time of saleOn early payment
Revenue impactDeducted from revenueNo reduction in revenue
Accounting entryNet price as revenueGross as revenue; discount = expense

### Journal Entries:

Trade Discount (₹15,000 price, ₹5,000 discount):

```

Debtors A/c Dr. 10,000

To Sales Revenue 10,000 ← Net of discount

```

Cash Discount (₹10,000 invoice, 5% = ₹500 cash discount):

```

At sale:

Debtors A/c Dr. 10,000

To Sales Revenue 10,000 ← Gross amount

At payment:

Bank A/c Dr. 9,500

Cash Disc A/c Dr. 500

To Debtors A/c 10,000

```

Worked example

### Example 1

A wholesaler sells goods with list price ₹15,000. Trade discount = ₹5,000.

Revenue recognised = ₹10,000 (net). The ₹5,000 is never posted as a separate entry.

### Example 2

An entity sells goods for ₹10,000 and offers 5% cash discount for payment within 7 days. Customer pays within 7 days.

  • Revenue = ₹10,000 (gross)
  • Cash discount expense = ₹500
  • Cash received = ₹9,500

Entry: Dr. Bank ₹9,500 + Dr. Discount Expense ₹500 / Cr. Debtors ₹10,000

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Deducting cash discount from revenue — cash discounts are an expense, not a revenue reduction.
  • Recording trade discount as an expense — trade discounts reduce revenue and are never posted separately.
  • Recognising revenue at the gross list price before deducting trade discount.
Reference:
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