kokonaispalautus

Kokonaispalautus is a Finnish term that denotes the complete refund of money paid for goods or services. It is used primarily in consumer protection language and in accounting to describe a full reimbursement, as opposed to partial refunds, store credits, or other remedies.

In consumer contexts, kokonaispalautus typically arises when a contract is canceled or a product is returned under agreed terms. Common scenarios include purchases returned within a set return window, or services canceled with a full refund of the price. In the European Union, many distance and online contracts are subject to a cooling-off period, during which a full refund is often possible if the consumer exercises the right to withdraw. Warranties and statutory consumer rights can also yield a kokonaispalautus when a fault or lack of conformity is established and a full reimbursement is required by law or contract.

In accounting, kokonaispalautus refers to reversing a previous sale or revenue recognition and the related costs, resulting in a net effect of zero on the financial statements. It is distinguished from partial refunds or credits, where only part of the price or certain charges are returned.

Limitations and variations exist in practice: refundable amounts may be reduced by restocking fees, shipping charges, or non-refundable components of a sale. The term is descriptive rather than a fixed legal category, and its availability depends on applicable consumer protection rules, contract terms, and jurisdiction.

See also: Refund policy, Consumer protection, Warranty, Cooling-off period.