owing

Owing is the state or condition of being obligated to pay money or to perform a duty. In finance and law, owing typically refers to a debt or other liability that is due to another party. A person or organization owes money when they are legally obligated to repay a loan, settle an invoice, or meet contractual obligations. The amount owing is the balance of money that remains unpaid. In accounting, liabilities include the amounts owed to creditors, suppliers, banks, and other entities; these are recorded on the balance sheet and accrue interest where applicable. Owing can also refer to non-financial obligations, such as duties or services owed under a contract.

The phrase owing to is used to indicate cause, as in owing to the weather or owing to a contractual clause. Owing also appears in expressions like the amount owing, meaning the total debt yet to be paid. Distinctions can arise between ownership and owing: a debtor may owe money on property that is otherwise owned, especially when financed with a loan or mortgage.

Managing owing involves budgeting, paying down principal, and negotiating terms with lenders. If obligations become unsustainable, options include debt restructuring, consolidation, or bankruptcy, each carrying legal and financial consequences.