Which term describes a deposit total that is greater than the amount due?

Which term describes a deposit total that is greater than the amount due?

• A. Shortage
• B. Deficit
• C. Overage
• D. Excess

Answer: (C)

When a payment is larger than what is due, the extra amount is called an overage. In billing and deposits, overage signals a surplus beyond the required balance. For example, if $600 is due and a deposit of $650 is made, the overage is $50. This surplus can be kept as a credit for future charges or refunded according to policy. Shortage and deficit describe amounts that fall short of what’s owed, while excess is a more general term for extra beyond a need but is less specific to the context of a payment exceeding the due amount. Therefore, the most precise term for a deposit total greater than the amount due is overage.

When a payment is larger than what is due, the extra amount is called an overage. In billing and deposits, overage signals a surplus beyond the required balance. For example, if $600 is due and a deposit of $650 is made, the overage is $50. This surplus can be kept as a credit for future charges or refunded according to policy. Shortage and deficit describe amounts that fall short of what’s owed, while excess is a more general term for extra beyond a need but is less specific to the context of a payment exceeding the due amount. Therefore, the most precise term for a deposit total greater than the amount due is overage.