overpayment

noun

over·​pay·​ment ˌō-vər-ˈpā-mənt 

plural overpayments

: payment that exceeds what is necessary

overpayment of taxes

… implemented electronic payrolls for all employees to prevent overpayment …

—Jocelyn Brumbaugh

also : an amount that is paid in excess

… two taxpayers could not get refunds of tax overpayments dating back more than four years …

—Samantha McCaughren

Examples of overpayment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some improper payments were underpayments, and most overpayments were recovered. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025

However, Okamura, Din and other claimants have said that EDD’s failure to properly notify them of denial or overpayment decisions has caused widespread confusion and financial hardship. —Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025

If the 100% overpayment proves to be a financial burden, the agency advises beneficiares to contact them. —David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 25 Mar. 2025

By the end of FY 2023, the SSA had an uncollected overpayment balance of $23 billion. —Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overpayment

• underpayment
• claimant
• payment
• copayment
• embayment
• nonpayment
• prepayment
• repayment

Legal Definition

overpayment

noun

over·​pay·​ment

ˈō-vər-ˌpā-mənt

: payment in excess of what is due