Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Net sales are the total revenue from goods sold or services provided to customers, minus returns, allowances, and discounts. It reflects the actual revenue a company expects to receive from its operations.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Net sales are calculated by subtracting returns, allowances, and discounts from gross sales.
Net sales provide a more accurate measure of a company's revenue than gross sales.
In financial statements, net sales are often listed as the first line item on the income statement.
A high volume of returns and allowances can significantly reduce net sales and indicate potential issues with product quality or customer satisfaction.
Discounts include promotional discounts given at the point of sale and early payment discounts offered to customers.