Original-Issue Discount

Original Issue Discount

The difference between a bond's face value and the amount for which it is sold by the issuer. Many bonds, especially those with low interest rates, are issued at a price less than par in order to entice buyers. Generally, the lower the interest rate, the greater the original issue discount, with zero-coupon bonds having the largest. Short of default, the original issue discount is a guaranteed profit for a bondholder, as bonds must be redeemed at face value. It is considered a form of interest and may be taxed as such.

---

original-issue discount (OID)

The amount by which a bond is sold below its par value at the time of issue. With the exception of usually tax-free securities (that is, municipals), investors must report a certain portion of the discount as income for tax purposes each year.