What term describes a reduction in price given for timely payment of an account?

The term that describes a reduction in price given for timely payment of an account is referred to as a cash discount. This type of discount incentivizes customers to pay their bills within a specified period. By offering a cash discount, sellers encourage early payment, which improves their cash flow and reduces the risk of late payments.

In many business transactions, cash discounts are often expressed as a percentage of the total invoice amount and are typically contingent upon meeting certain payment terms, such as paying within a specific number of days.

While the other terms mentioned might relate to financial adjustments or incentives, they do not specifically denote the practice of providing a discount for early payment. For instance, a sales rebate is typically a return of a portion of a purchase price after the sale has been completed, rather than a discount offered at the time of payment. A prompt payment incentive may imply a similar concept but lacks the formal recognition and common usage of the established term cash discount. A settlement discount, while closely related, often refers to a discount applied upon the resolution of an account balance rather than the general early payment context covered by cash discounts.