A liability is a financial obligation that a person or business is legally responsible for repaying.

It represents money owed to others and can take many forms, including loans, credit card debt, unpaid invoices, payroll expenses, taxes, mortgages, and other accrued expenses. In accounting, liabilities are typically classified as either current (due within one year) or long-term (due after one year).

Businesses also record deferred revenues and employee benefit obligations as liabilities.

Managing liabilities effectively is crucial for maintaining financial health, ensuring solvency, and meeting both short-term and long-term financial commitments.