5.2 Lease Term
ASC 842-10 — Glossary
Lease Term
The noncancellable period for which a lessee has the right to use an underlying asset, together with all of the
following:
- Periods covered by an option to extend the lease if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option
- Periods covered by an option to terminate the lease if the lessee is reasonably certain not to exercise that option
- Periods covered by an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease in which exercise of the option is controlled by the lessor.
ASC 842-10
30-1 An entity shall determine the lease term as the noncancellable period of the lease, together with all of the following:
- Periods covered by an option to extend the lease if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option
- Periods covered by an option to terminate the lease if the lessee is reasonably certain not to exercise that option
- Periods covered by an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease in which exercise of the option is controlled by the lessor.
55-25 The lease term begins at the commencement date and includes any rent-free periods provided to the lessee by the lessor.
The lease term is an important input to lease classification and to the initial
and subsequent measurement of a lease. The lease term is determined in accordance
with ASC 842-10-30-1 (as illustrated below). The next sections further discuss the
composition of the lease term and related issues.
5.2.1 Noncancelable Period and Enforceable Period
ASC 842-10
55-23 An entity should
determine the noncancellable period of a lease when
determining the lease term. When assessing the length of
the noncancellable period of a lease, an entity should
apply the definition of a contract and determine the
period for which the contract is enforceable. A lease is
no longer enforceable when both the lessee and the
lessor each have the right to terminate the lease
without permission from the other party with no more
than an insignificant penalty.
A contract is an agreement between two or more parties that
creates enforceable rights and obligations. Any noncancelable period within a
lease contract would generally be considered enforceable and should be included
in the lease term. In addition, cancelable periods should also be evaluated for
enforceability in accordance with ASC 842-10-55-23. For a lease to no longer be
enforceable under ASC 842-10-55-23, both parties must
“have the right to terminate the lease . . . with no more than an insignificant
penalty.” Accordingly, a lease is considered enforceable over a cancelable
period if either (1) only one party has a termination right or (2) both parties
have a termination right but either party would incur a
more than insignificant penalty by terminating the lease. After determining the
enforceable period, the parties should consider the guidance in ASC 842-10-30-1
(as discussed in Sections
5.2.2 and 5.2.3)
to determine the lease term within the enforceable period (i.e., the lease term
will either be shorter than or equal to the enforceable period). When either the
lessee or lessor has the right to terminate a lease at any time upon giving
notice to the other party, the noncancelable period of the lease would include
this “notice” period.
Connecting the Dots
Enforceability Is a Broad
Concept
As noted above, “noncancelable” and “enforceable” have
different meanings under ASC 842, and entities are required to evaluate
whether a contract is enforceable over optional periods on the basis of
the economic consequences to the parties rather than solely on the basis
of contractual or legal enforceability. Periods in which one or both
parties have the contractual right, but not the obligation, to extend
the agreement are enforceable but not noncancelable periods. Periods in
which either party has — but both parties do not have — the right to
terminate the agreement are also enforceable but not noncancelable
periods. Periods in which both parties have the right to terminate the
agreement are not enforceable unless either party would incur a more
than insignificant penalty by exercising its right. For example, a lease
would be considered enforceable over the period in which the lessee
would incur a more than insignificant penalty by terminating the lease,
even when the lease is subject to a contractual cancellation right held
by the lessor.
Further, in determining the lease term, both the lessee
and the lessor should evaluate options to extend or terminate the lease
during the enforceable period. Enforceable periods covered by options
that provide the lessor with the right to extend or unilaterally
terminate the lease are included in the lease term (i.e., it is assumed
that the lessor will extend or not terminate the lease). For enforceable
periods in which the lessee has the right to extend or terminate the
lease, the probability of exercise needs to be assessed. The lease term
would include enforceable periods in which it is reasonably certain that
the lessee will extend or not terminate the lease (see the next
section). Importantly, “reasonably certain” (which is used in the
determination of the lease term) differs from “more than insignificant”
(which is used in the determination of the enforceable period). For
example, when both parties have the right to terminate the lease yet the
lessee would incur a more than insignificant penalty to do so, the
optional period is enforceable, but this does not mean that the lessee
is reasonably certain not to exercise its termination option. However,
any economic penalty (or incentive) that would cause a lessee to be
reasonably certain not to terminate a lease would also indicate that the
lessee would incur a more than insignificant penalty by terminating the
lease; the related period would thus be included in both the enforceable
period and the lease term.
5.2.2 Periods Covered by Options (Reasonably Certain)
ASC 842-10
30-2 At the commencement date, an entity shall include the periods described in paragraph 842-10-30-1 in the lease term having considered all relevant factors that create an economic incentive for the lessee (that is, contract-based, asset-based, entity-based, and market-based factors). Those factors shall be considered together, and the existence of any one factor does not necessarily signify that a lessee is reasonably certain to exercise or not to exercise an option.
55-26 At the commencement date, an entity assesses whether the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise
or not to exercise an option by considering all economic factors relevant to that assessment — contract-based,
asset-based, market-based, and entity-based factors. An entity’s assessment often will require the
consideration of a combination of those factors because they are interrelated. Examples of economic factors to
consider include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
- Contractual terms and conditions for the optional periods compared with current market rates, such as:
- The amount of lease payments in any optional period
- The amount of any variable lease payments or other contingent payments, such as payments under termination penalties and residual value guarantees
- The terms and conditions of any options that are exercisable after initial optional periods (for example, the terms and conditions of a purchase option that is exercisable at the end of an extension period at a rate that is currently below market rates).
- Significant leasehold improvements that are expected to have significant economic value for the lessee when the option to extend or terminate the lease or to purchase the underlying asset becomes exercisable.
- Costs relating to the termination of the lease and the signing of a new lease, such as negotiation costs, relocation costs, costs of identifying another underlying asset suitable for the lessee’s operations, or costs associated with returning the underlying asset in a contractually specified condition or to a contractually specified location.
- The importance of that underlying asset to the lessee’s operations, considering, for example, whether the underlying asset is a specialized asset and the location of the underlying asset.
Entities must assess whether it is
reasonably certain that a lease will continue into
periods covered by renewal or termination options. When
assessing the likelihood of whether a lessee will be
economically compelled to (i.e., when assessing whether
it is reasonably certain that a lessee will) exercise or
not exercise an option to renew or terminate a lease,
respectively, the lessee and lessor should consider
various economic factors (e.g., contract-based,
asset-based, entity-based, and market-based factors).
Because the assessment of “reasonably certain” is based
on judgments and estimates, lessees and lessors may
reach different conclusions about whether it is
reasonably certain that a lessee will exercise a renewal
or purchase option or not exercise a termination option.
Given the subjectivity involved in the evaluation of
these economic factors, the longer the period from the
commencement date of the lease to the date of exercising
the option, the more difficult it would generally be to
determine whether a lessee will be reasonably certain to
exercise or not exercise an option to renew or terminate
a lease (for example, it would be difficult to precisely
predict the importance of an underlying asset to the
lessee’s operations further into the future). In
addition, to apply the short-term lease recognition
exemption (discussed in detail in Section 8.2.1), lessees
must perform this assessment and determine the lease
term.
|
Connecting the Dots
“Reasonably Certain” and
“Reasonably Assured”
Under IAS 17 (the predecessor standard to IFRS 16), an
entity used the “reasonably certain” threshold to evaluate the lease
term; this threshold is generally interpreted as high. When developing
ASC 842, the Board decided to use the term “reasonably certain” to be
consistent with IFRS 16 (which supersedes IAS 17). However, paragraph
BC195 of ASU 2016-02 indicates that the “reasonably certain” threshold
is substantially the same as the “reasonably assured” threshold under
ASC 840. Therefore, we do not expect that ASC 842 will change the
threshold used to determine the lease term; that is, “reasonably
certain” will also be considered a high threshold of probability under
ASC 842, as the FASB indicates in paragraph BC71(b) of ASU 2016-02.
ASC 842-10 — Glossary
Penalty
Any requirement that is imposed or can be imposed on the lessee by the lease agreement or by factors outside the lease agreement to do any of the following:
- Disburse cash
- Incur or assume a liability
- Perform services
- Surrender or transfer an asset or rights to an asset or otherwise forego an economic benefit, or suffer an economic detriment. Factors to consider in determining whether an economic detriment may be incurred include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
-
The uniqueness of purpose or location of the underlying asset
-
The availability of a comparable replacement asset
-
The relative importance or significance of the underlying asset to the continuation of the lessee’s line of business or service to its customers
-
The existence of leasehold improvements or other assets whose value would be impaired by the lessee vacating or discontinuing use of the underlying asset
-
Adverse tax consequences
-
The ability or willingness of the lessee to bear the cost associated with relocation or replacement of the underlying asset at market rental rates or to tolerate other parties using the underlying asset.
-
As described in ASC 842-10-20 above, a penalty is any requirement associated with a lease agreement or outside of the lease agreement that could have an adverse financial impact on a lessee (e.g., require disbursement of cash, performance of service, surrendering of an asset). While a penalty may impose a requirement on a lessee to make an additional payment or payments to a lessor, it could also be linked to payments to an independent party or result in a loss of future economic benefits to the lessee as a whole. For example, if a lease termination will result in a loss of a significant amount of income for a lessee, that termination could be viewed as a penalty.
The existence of a penalty, if large enough, could affect the evaluation of lease term, lease payments, and renewal and purchase options. For example, if a lessee is required to pay the lessor a significant penalty for not renewing a lease, it would be appropriate to conclude at lease commencement that the lease term would include the renewal period because the potential to pay the penalty economically compels the lessee to renew the lease. Similarly, an entity may conclude that it is reasonably certain to exercise a purchase option to the extent that the lease agreement includes a significant penalty payable by the lessee to the lessor for failure to exercise such an option (as discussed in Section 5.3). A penalty is included in lease payments (see Chapter 6) when it is not significant enough to make the exercise of a renewal or purchase option reasonably certain at lease commencement.
5.2.2.1 Contract-Based Factors
Contract-based factors affecting the determination of the likelihood that a lessee will exercise or not exercise an option are linked to the terms of the lease agreement. Examples of contract-based factors include:
- The existence of a bargain renewal option.
- The existence of contingent or variable payments.
- The nature and terms of renewal or termination options.
- The costs the lessee would incur to restore the asset before returning it to the lessor.
5.2.2.1.1 Renewal Option
ASC 840 required entities to include in the lease term
“[a]ll periods, if any, covered by ordinary renewal options preceding
the date as of which a bargain purchase option is exercisable.” In
contrast, ASC 842 requires an entity to include in the lease term
“[p]eriods covered by an option to extend the lease if the lessee is
reasonably certain to exercise that option.” ASC 842-10-55-26 expands on
the term “reasonably certain,” stating, in part:
At the commencement date, an entity assesses
whether the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise or not to
exercise an option by considering all economic factors relevant
to that assessment — contract-based, asset-based, market-based,
and entity-based factors. An entity’s assessment often will
require the consideration of a combination of those factors
because they are interrelated. Examples of economic factors to
consider include, but are not limited to, any of the
following:
-
Contractual terms and conditions for the optional periods compared with current market rates, such as: . . .3. The terms and conditions of any options that are exercisable after initial optional periods (for example, the terms and conditions of a purchase option that is exercisable at the end of an extension period at a rate that is currently below market rates).
ASC 842 does not explicitly include a requirement to
identify a bargain purchase option and to include any ordinary renewal
options preceding the exercise date of the bargain purchase option.
However, ASC 842-10-55-26(a)(3) requires an entity to consider renewal
options preceding a “purchase option that is exercisable at the end of
an extension period at . . . below market rates.” Accordingly, while an
entity may need to use greater judgment in applying the above guidance
from ASC 842, we believe that the accounting outcome achieved under ASC
842 should generally be consistent with that achieved under the more
explicit guidance in ASC 840.
We believe that, in evaluating bargain purchase options
that are exercisable after a renewal period, an entity should consider
all relevant facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to, the
utility of the PP&E to the lessee during the renewal period. In
addition, we believe that when an ordinary (i.e., nonbargain) renewal
option exists, the lease can be considered to have a noncancelable term
followed immediately by a purchase option. The exercise price of that
purchase option would represent the present value at the end of the
noncancelable term of the renewal-period lease payments and the price of
the purchase option.
Example 5-2
Consider the following
example:
-
Entity X, the lessee, enters into a lease for equipment with an initial term of five years. The lease includes two lessee-specific options: (1) a five-year renewal option at market rates and (2) an option to purchase the equipment for $100 at the end of the renewal period (i.e., at the end of 10 years). At lease commencement, the equipment is expected to have a fair value significantly greater than $100 when the purchase option is exercisable.
-
Entity X plans to use the equipment for a specific project that is expected to be completed at the end of the initial five-year lease term. The project is unique and X does not have an alternative use for the equipment outside of the identified project. Therefore, there is no clear utility of the equipment to X over the five-year renewal term.
-
Entity X concludes that the present value, at the end of the initial term, of the lease payments for the renewal period, plus the purchase option exercise price of $100, does not represent a bargain purchase option when compared with the expected fair value of the equipment at the end of the initial term.
On the basis of the factors (not
all-inclusive) outlined above, X is not required
to include the renewal period in the lease term
because the purchase option at a below market rate
does not represent an
economic incentive that would cause the lessee to
determine that it is reasonably certain to
exercise the renewal option. A purchase option at
a below market rate will often provide an economic
incentive for the lessee to exercise the
intervening renewal option. However, in this case,
the utility of the equipment during the renewal
period is uncertain and therefore significantly
reduces the lessee’s incentive to exercise the
renewal option. In addition, the present value, at
the end of year 5, of the renewal-period lease
payments, plus the purchase option price of $100,
does not represent a bargain purchase option when
compared with the expected fair value of the
equipment. Therefore, it is not reasonably certain
that X will exercise the renewal option even
though the renewal period is followed by a bargain
purchase option.
Connecting the Dots
Residual Value Guarantee
Affecting Lease Term and Lease Payments
Some lease agreements may allow a lessee to
early terminate a lease only if the lessee guarantees the
residual value of the underlying asset as of the termination
date. In these cases, the lessee should evaluate the residual
value guarantee when determining whether it is reasonably
certain that the option to terminate early will not be
exercised. That is, the lessee should evaluate the impact of the
residual value guarantee when considering whether it will be
economically compelled to terminate the lease before the end of
the lease term or whether the residual value guarantee itself
would result in the lessee’s continuation of the lease for the
full term. This evaluation and the resulting conclusions may
affect both the determination of the lease term and the lease
payments. See Section 6.7 for additional discussion of
residual value guarantees.
5.2.2.2 Asset-Based Factors
Asset-based factors depend on specific characteristics of the underlying asset. Examples of asset-based
factors include:
- The existence of significant lessee-installed leasehold improvements that would still have economic value when the option becomes exercisable.
- The physical location of the asset.
-
The specialized nature of the asset.
- The costs that would be incurred to replace or find an alternative asset (including costs associated with lost production).
5.2.2.2.1 Lease Term
If a lease contains renewal options, the lessee’s
investment in leasehold improvements should be considered in the
determination of whether renewal periods need to be included in the
lease term.
The value of leasehold improvements at the end of the
noncancelable lease period could be considered an economic penalty and
could provide reasonable certainty that the lessee will renew the lease
rather than surrender the value of the leasehold improvements.
When evaluating whether the abandonment or relocation of
leasehold improvements constitutes a significant penalty, an entity
should consider, among other things, the lessee’s ability or willingness
to (1) bear the cost of relocating or replacing the leased property at
market rental rates or (2) tolerate other parties using the leased
property. Ordinarily, lessees would be expected to be unwilling to
abandon leasehold improvements or other assets that are expected to have
a significant remaining fair value that would not otherwise be available
to the lessee at the end of the lease’s fixed noncancelable term.
Similarly, lessees typically would not be expected to be willing to
incur significant costs, directly or indirectly, to relocate leasehold
improvements.
Therefore, when it is expected that there will be a loss
of significant fair value or an incurrence of significant costs, (1)
there is usually an economic penalty and (2) the penalty causes the
lessee to conclude that exercise of the renewal options is reasonably
certain. As a result, the lessee includes the renewal periods in the
lease term.
Further, situations in which the lessee is prepared to
incur a significant economic penalty rather than extend the lease term
beyond its fixed noncancelable term (i.e., lease renewal is not
reasonably certain) are expected to be rare. In cases in which the
lessee is prepared to abandon the leasehold improvements and incur the
economic penalty, the leasehold improvements should be depreciated to a
residual value of zero over the fixed noncancelable term of the
lease.
5.2.2.3 Entity-Based Factors
The impact of entity-based factors depends on the entity’s historical practice, management’s intent, and common industry practice. Examples of entity-based factors include:
- The financial impact on the entity of extending or terminating the lease.
- The importance of the leased asset to the entity’s operations.
5.2.2.4 Market-Based Factors
Market-based factors include the market rental or purchase rates for comparable assets and any potential implications of local regulations and statutory requirements.
5.2.3 Periods Within the Control of the Lessor
ASC 842-10-30-1(c) states that “[p]eriods covered by an option to extend (or not
to terminate) the lease in which exercise of the option is controlled by the
lessor” should be included in the lease term. Effectively, under ASC 842, it is
assumed that when a lessor has the sole option to continue the lease into
optional periods, it will choose to do so. Note, however, that unlike the
assessment for options exercisable solely by the lessor, the required assessment
for any options to extend or not terminate a lease controlled or effectively
controlled by a third party unrelated to the lessor or lessee (e.g., a
sublessee), would be the same as that for an option exercisable by the lessee
(see Section 5.2.2) in the determination
of whether the unrelated third party is reasonably certain to extend or not
terminate the lease.
See Section 5.2.4.1 for discussion of how to
differentiate between a cancelable lease and a lease with a lessor-controlled
option to terminate.
5.2.4 Application of the Lease Term Guidance
The next sections further discuss application of, and issues related to, the
lease term guidance.
5.2.4.1 Cancelable Leases
ASC 842-10
55-24 If only a lessee has the right to terminate a lease, that right is considered to be an option to terminate the lease available to the lessee that an entity considers when determining the lease term, as described in paragraph 842-10-30-1(b). If only a lessor has the right to terminate a lease, the lease term includes the period covered by the option to terminate the lease, as described in paragraph 842-10-30-1(c).
A lease contract would not be considered enforceable (i.e., it would be
considered cancelable) if the lessee and lessor each have the separate right
to terminate the lease without incurring a more than insignificant penalty
(see Section
5.2.1 for more information). If the lessee or the lessor
individually has the separate right to terminate the lease, those
termination options would be assessed as follows:
-
If a lease contract includes a termination option that gives only the lessee the right to terminate the lease, an entity would evaluate whether it is reasonably certain that the lessee will not exercise that termination option (as discussed in Section 5.2.2).
-
If a lease contract includes a termination option that gives only the lessor the right to terminate the lease, an entity would not consider that termination option when evaluating the lease term (i.e., it should be assumed that the lessor will not elect to terminate early, as discussed in Section 5.2.3).
5.2.4.2 Evergreen Leases
In addition to contracts that specify a period that includes renewal options occurring on an “as
exercised” basis, ASC 842 also applies to contracts that automatically renew. For example, leases
characterized as “evergreen,” “month to month,” “perpetual,” or “rolling” would meet the definition of a
contract and would be subject to ASC 842 if such a contract includes enforceable rights and obligations.
In determining the lease term for such arrangements, an entity would consider
the same factors as it would for all other leases. That is, an entity would
need to consider contract-based, asset-based, market-based, and entity-based
factors to determine the term over which the lessee is reasonably certain to
extend the lease.
5.2.4.3 Short-Term Leases
ASC 842-10 — Glossary
Short-Term Lease
A lease that, at the commencement date, has a lease term of 12 months or less
and does not include an option to purchase the
underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably
certain to exercise.
A lessee can elect (by asset class) not to record on the balance sheet a lease
whose term is 12 months or less and does not include a purchase option that
the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise (i.e., treat the lease as an
operating lease under ASC 840). When determining whether the lease qualifies
for this election, the lessee would include renewal options only if they are
considered part of the lease term (i.e., those options the lessee is
reasonably certain to exercise). If the lease term increases to more than 12
months, or if it is reasonably certain that the lessee will exercise an
option to purchase the underlying asset, the lessee would no longer be able
to apply the short-term lease exception and would account for the lease as
it would other leases. See Section 8.2.1 for more information about a lessee’s
accounting for a lease that qualifies for the short-term exemption and
Section
15.2.7 for discussion of the disclosure requirements related
to the short-term lease recognition exemption.
5.2.4.4 Impact of a Sublease on Lease Term
A lessee that enters into an agreement to sublease the underlying asset needs to
assess whether the sublease term will affect the term of the head lease. For
example, if the sublease includes renewal options that would, if exercised,
extend past the initial term of the head lease, the head lessee would need
to evaluate whether it would incur any penalty for not exercising its
renewal options in the head lease. The head lessee would consider this
factor in addition to other relevant contract-based, asset-based,
entity-based, and market-based factors when evaluating whether it is
reasonably certain that it will (1) exercise an option to renew, (2) not
exercise an option to terminate, or (3) exercise an option to purchase the
underlying asset. The existence of a renewal provision in the sublease does
not automatically indicate that it is reasonably certain that the head
lessee will exercise the renewal options on its head lease. See Section 12.2.1 for
further discussion.
5.2.4.5 Lease Term When a Lease Consists of Nonconsecutive Periods of Use
An entity may enter into an arrangement for the right to use an asset during nonconsecutive periods.
Such an arrangement may contain a lease as defined in ASC 842-10. Questions have arisen about
whether the lease term in such an arrangement should consist of only the nonconsecutive periods of
use or the entire period of the arrangement. The lease term is important to the determination of the
lease classification and how, and the period over which, to recognize rental expense.
The ASC master glossary defines a lease as a “contract, or
part of a contract, that conveys the right to control the use of identified
property, plant, or equipment (an identified asset) for a period of time in
exchange for consideration.” Control of the use of the underlying property
depends on whether, over the period of use, the lessee has the right to (1)
substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the identified asset
and (2) direct the use of the identified asset. (The period of use related
to identifying a lease is further discussed in Section 3.5.)
Further, ASC 842-10-20 defines the period of use as the
“total period of time that an asset is used to fulfill a contract with a
customer (including the sum of any nonconsecutive periods of time).”
Therefore, in evaluating the lease term, a lessee must determine the period
over which it has the right to control the use of the underlying asset,
which may comprise only the sum of nonconsecutive periods.
Example 5-3
Retailer A enters into a lease arrangement for the
use of mall space for only three consecutive months
of the year (the holiday period) for 10 years.
Because A only has the right to control the use of
the asset for 30 months (i.e., the total of the
nonconsecutive periods), A determines that the lease
term consists of only the nonconsecutive periods.
Therefore, A should use a lease term of 30 months
for classification purposes and should recognize
rental expense only during these periods, provided
that the lease is an operating lease.
Example 5-4
Company B owns a commercial parking
garage in a large retail shopping district and
charges customers a higher rate to use the garage
between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. (peak
hours). Company B enters into an arrangement with
Retailer X that will give X the exclusive right to
use the parking garage during peak hours for the
next three years. Companies other than X have the
right to use the parking garage during off-peak
hours.
In this example, the lease term is
18 months (i.e., 12 hours a day for 36 months).
Company B and Retailer X should therefore use this
lease term when determining the lease
classification.
Connecting the Dots
Interaction Between Nonconsecutive Periods and
the Short-Term Lease Recognition Exemption
As discussed above, the lease term comprises the
period of use and the period of use comprises the sum of
nonconsecutive periods. Therefore, if the aggregate of the
nonconsecutive periods (that comprise the period of use) is 12
months or less, the lease term would also be 12 months or less.
Accordingly, the short-term lease recognition exemption (see
Section
8.2.1) may be elected.
The examples below illustrate this notion.
Example 5-5
RetailCo enters into a
three-year agreement with Landlord under which
RetailCo will lease a store in a mall during the
months of October, November, and December in each
year. Landlord agrees to provide the same store
for each of the three years. The aggregate of the
nonconsecutive periods (i.e., the period of use)
during which the store will be leased by RetailCo
is nine months (i.e., three months for each year
of the agreement). Accordingly, the lease term is
also nine months. RetailCo may elect the
short-term lease recognition exemption in this
scenario.
Example 5-6
TeamCo enters into a 30-year
agreement with City for a lease of a stadium. The
terms of the agreement stipulate that TeamCo will
have the right to use the stadium for 10 home
games a year. The home games are played on various
days (i.e., would be nonconsecutive). Because the
period of use is 300 days (i.e., 10 days per year
for 30 years), the lease term is also 300 days.
TeamCo may elect the short-term lease recognition
exemption in this scenario.
5.2.4.6 Fiscal Funding Clauses
ASC 842-10 — Glossary
Fiscal Funding Clause
A provision by which the lease is cancelable if the legislature or other funding authority does not appropriate
the funds necessary for the governmental unit to fulfill its obligations under the lease agreement.
ASC 842-10
55-27 The existence of a fiscal funding clause in a lease agreement requires an assessment of the likelihood of
lease cancellation through exercise of the fiscal funding clause. If it is more than remote that the fiscal funding
clause will be exercised, the lease term should include only those periods for which funding is reasonably
certain.
A fiscal funding clause in a lease gives a governmental agency the option to
cancel the lease if it does not receive funding through the appropriation
process to meet its payment obligation under the terms of the lease. Under
ASC 842, the lessor must evaluate the likelihood that the fiscal funding
clause will be exercised.1
If exercise of the fiscal funding clause is deemed remote, the lease would be
considered noncancelable. In contrast, if the exercise of the fiscal funding
clause is considered more than remote, the lease term would include only
periods for which it is considered reasonably certain that the government
agency will obtain the funding.
5.2.4.7 Terminal Rental Adjustment Clauses
A terminal rental adjustment clause (TRAC) is a clause that is generally
included in a vehicle lease arrangement. A TRAC stipulates a final rental
payment to the lessor of any shortfall, or a receipt by the lessee of any
surplus, in the selling price of the vehicle compared with the remaining
book value at the end of the lease. The specifics of a TRAC may vary by
contract. For example, the amount payable (or receivable) by a lessee under
a TRAC would depend on whether the lessee (or lessor) is obligated to pay
the entire amount of the shortfall (or surplus) as well as on the
depreciation method used to calculate the remaining book value of the
vehicle. These terms are generally explicitly stipulated in the contract. If
a lease containing a renewal option exercisable by the lessee also contains
a TRAC, the terms of the TRAC would need to be considered to ascertain
whether it is reasonably possible that the TRAC would result in a
significant payment by the lessee to the lessor at the end of the lease
term. The existence of a TRAC that is reasonably possible to result in a
significant payment by the lessee is an economic factor that would need to
be considered in the assessment of whether the lessee is reasonably likely
to extend the lease to avoid this payment. (Example 8-1, Scenario B, in Section 8.2.1 illustrates this concept.) However, the
existence of a TRAC would not, in isolation, dictate whether a lessee is
reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend the lease; the lessee and
lessor would also need to consider other economic factors (e.g.,
contract-based, asset-based, entity-based, and market-based factors). See
Section 5.2.2 for further
details.
5.2.4.8 Examples Illustrating the Lease Term Guidance
The scenarios in the example below illustrate the application of the guidance on
lease term discussed in Section 5.2.
Example 5-7
Scenario 1 — Exercise of the Renewal Option Is Not Reasonably Certain
On January 15, 20Y5, Company A enters into a lease for a machine that includes a noncancelable period of five years, with a three-year renewal option that will require payments based on market rents. The machine has not been customized and the arrangement does not include a termination penalty for not renewing the lease.
At lease commencement, A determines that the lease term is limited to the noncancelable period of five years. This determination is made on the basis that A is not economically compelled to exercise the three-year renewal option because (1) the lease payments during the renewal period are at market, (2) there is no termination penalty if it does not renew the lease, and (3) the machine has not been customized.
Scenario 2 — Exercise of the Renewal Option Is Reasonably Certain
On May 15, 20Y5, Company B enters into an equipment lease that includes a noncancelable period of five years, with a three-year renewal option that includes payments based on market rents. Company B modifies and configures the underlying asset at a significant cost. In addition, the equipment is a vital asset in B’s manufacturing process (i.e., B’s production output would be significantly affected if this asset were not in place).
At lease commencement, the lease term would be eight years. After considering the asset-based factors, B concludes that it would suffer a significant penalty if it were to exit the lease at the end of the noncancelable period because it would abandon the costs associated with modifying and configuring the equipment. Further, since this asset is vital to B’s manufacturing process, nonrenewal of the lease may adversely affect the company’s operations. On the basis of these factors, B concludes that it is reasonably certain that it will exercise the renewal option. As a result, the lease term is eight years.
Scenario 3 — Lessee and Lessor Both Have Right to
Terminate
On April 9, 20Y6, Lessee A enters into a four-year equipment lease with Lessor B with no renewal or purchase options. Under the terms of the lease, A and B have the unilateral right to terminate the lease at the end of the lease’s second year without cause or penalty.
In this scenario (in the absence of other contract-, market-, or entity-based
factors), the noncancelable period, as well as the
lease term, would be two years. According to the
terms of the arrangement, B has the right to
terminate the lease at the end of year two, thereby
limiting A’s ability to extend the lease past this
period. In addition, because A can terminate the
lease at the end of year two, it does not have an
obligation to make lease payments past that period.
Scenario 4 — Lessor Has the Right to Terminate
On June 1, 20Y6, Lessee A enters into a four-year equipment lease with Lessor B
in which B has the right to terminate the lease at
the end of year two without cause or penalty.
In this scenario, the noncancelable period and the lease term are four years. The lease term would always include optional periods that are controlled by the lessor.
Scenario 5 — Lessee Has the Right to Terminate
On June 1, 20Y6, Lessee A enters into a four-year equipment lease with Lessor B in which A has the right to terminate the lease at the end of year 2.
In this scenario, both parties must assess whether it is reasonably certain that
A will not terminate the
lease after year 2 (in considering the factors
described in ASC 842-10-55-26). The lease term would
be two years unless the parties conclude that it is
reasonably certain that A will not terminate the
lease.
ASC 842-10
30-4 See paragraphs 842-10-55-19 through 55-21 for implementation guidance on commencement date and
paragraphs 842-10-55-23 through 55-27 for implementation guidance on lease term and purchase options.
See Examples 23 through 24 (paragraphs 842-10-55-210 through 55-224) for illustrations of the requirements
on purchase options.
Illustration of Lessee Accounting for Purchase Options
55-210 Examples 23 through 24 illustrate the evaluation of whether a lessee is reasonably certain to exercise
an option to purchase the underlying asset.
The Codification examples referenced in ASC 842-10-30-4 and ASC 842-10-55-210 are reproduced as
follows:
- Example 23 in ASC 842-10-55-211 through 55-217 is reproduced in Section 8.9.2.1.
- Example 24 in ASC 842-10-55-218 through 55-224 is reproduced in Section 8.9.2.2.
Footnotes
1
We would generally expect the governmental agency,
as lessee, to apply GASB accounting standards and not ASC 842.