Bottom line definition

The bottom line refers to the last line of the accounting income statement, which is also referred to as the profit-and-loss (P&L) statement. It's the net after-tax income, or loss, for the business, and is calculated by deducting all allowable expenses and applicable taxes for the period from the gross profit line.

Because the "bottom line" to a business' operating activity means there is nothing left to add or subtract, it has also become a handy term used to metaphorically indicate the same in a conversation about other topics.