Legal Definitions - windfall

A windfall is an unexpected benefit, usually in the form of a profit, that is not caused by the recipient. For example, if someone wins the lottery, they receive a windfall of money.

A windfall-profits tax is a tax imposed on companies that receive a sudden and large increase in profits due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or war.

Winding up is the process of settling accounts and liquidating assets in anticipation of a partnership's or a corporation's dissolution. This is done to ensure that all debts are paid and assets are distributed fairly among the partners or shareholders.

Window-dressing is the deceptive arrangement of something, usually facts or appearances, to make it appear more attractive or favorable. For example, some financial managers may engage in window-dressing by selling certain positions at the end of a quarter to make an investment's quarterly performance appear better than it actually was.

These examples illustrate how windfall, windfall-profits tax, winding up, and window-dressing are used in different contexts. Understanding these terms is important for anyone interested in finance and business.