A kickback is an illegal payment made in exchange for preferential treatment or favorable decisions in business transactions. Typically, it involves paying a portion of profits or fees as a reward for facilitating contracts or deals. Kickbacks distort fair competition and are considered a form of bribery. These illegal payments can occur in various industries and often go unnoticed due to secrecy. Authorities in many countries impose strict penalties on kickbacks to maintain transparency, fairness, and ethical practices in both government and corporate sectors.