write off

The deficit would have been $2.1 trillion except for lower expected write-offs on student loans and lower outlays by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to resolve failed banks.

No such announcements about a debt write-off have been made.

In May, the retailer withdrew its full-year guidance and announced a $75-million write-off of spring and summer merchandise due to slow sales, steep discounting and difficult market conditions.

The hard work of hundreds of people, a mere tax write-off under the mighty pen of Warner Bros.

E.On has also agreed to write-off debt held by almost 150,000 prepayment customers who cancelled their accounts over the same period.