2016 GAAP FINANCIAL REPORTING TAXONOMY NOW AVAILABLE

Norwalk, CT, December 17, 2015—The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) today announced the availability of the 2016 GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy (Taxonomy) pending final acceptance by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The FASB staff is responsible for the ongoing development and maintenance of the Taxonomy applicable to public issuers registered with the SEC. The GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy contains updates for accounting standards and other improvements to the official Taxonomy previously in use by SEC issuers.

The GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy is a list of computer-readable tags in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) format that allows companies to tag precisely the thousands of pieces of financial data that are included in typical long-form financial statements and related footnote disclosures. The tags allow computers to automatically search for, assemble, and process data so it can be readily accessed and analyzed by investors, analysts, journalists, and regulators.

The 2016 GAAP Taxonomy is available here.

Questions about using the Taxonomy for creating and submitting XBRL-tagged interactive data files in compliance with SEC rules should be directed to the SEC. SEC contact details and guidance are available at the SEC's portal on XBRL.

In early 2010, the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF), parent organization to the FASB, assumed maintenance responsibilities for the Taxonomy. The FAF and the FASB assembled a team of technical staff dedicated to updating the Taxonomy for changes in GAAP, identifying best practices in Taxonomy extensions and technical enhancements.


About the Financial Accounting Foundation

Established in 1972, the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) is the independent, private-sector, not-for-profit organization based in Norwalk, Connecticut responsible for the oversight, administration, financing, and appointment of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). The FASB and GASB establish and improve financial accounting and reporting standards – known as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP – for public and private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and state and local governments in the United States. For more information, visit www.accountingfoundation.org.

About the Financial Accounting Standards Board

Established in 1973, the FASB is the independent, private-sector, not-for-profit organization based in Norwalk, Connecticut, that establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for public and private companies and not-for-profit organizations that follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The FASB is recognized by the Securities and Exchange Commission as the designated accounting standard setter for public companies. FASB standards are recognized as authoritative by many other organizations, including state Boards of Accountancy and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). The FASB develops and issues financial accounting standards through a transparent and inclusive process intended to promote financial reporting that provides useful information to investors and others who use financial reports. The Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) supports and oversees the FASB. For more information, visit www.fasb.org.