underapplied overhead

A situation in which the overhead applied to a work in progress (WIP) product is less than the overhead that the WIP actually incurs. This results in the manufacturing overhead having a debit balance. Underapplied overhead is reported on the balance sheet as a prepaid expense. At the end of the year, underapplied overhead is balanced by creating a debit to Cost of Goods Sold. Opposite of overapplied overhead.