Texas Real Estate Brokerage Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) Practice Exam

What term refers to a bribe or payment given as a reward for assistance?

1. Bonus

2. Incentive

3. Kickback

4. Commission

The correct answer is: Kickback

The term that refers to a bribe or payment given as a reward for assistance is "kickback." A kickback typically involves the illicit payment made to someone as a return for their assistance in a business transaction or decision. This distinction is crucial, as kickbacks often denote unethical or illegal practices that can jeopardize the integrity of the involved parties and transactions. In the context of real estate or business, a kickback is often associated with a situation where one party compensates another for steering business or making decisions that benefit the payer, rather than acting in the best interests of all parties involved. This behavior can lead to conflicts of interest and legal repercussions. Other terms, while related to rewards or payments, do not carry the same implications of wrongdoing. A bonus generally refers to an additional payment made, often in compensation for performance, without any unethical undertones. An incentive usually describes a motivation or a reward designed to encourage specific behaviors but does not imply an unlawful transaction. A commission is a fee paid to an agent or broker as a percentage of a sale or transaction, which is a standard practice in sales and legitimate business dealings. Therefore, "kickback" is the only term that closely aligns with the concept of bribery or under-the-table payments