One of the most challenging aspects of the new lease accounting standards is the requirement to separate lease and non-lease components. If you’re familiar with the new standard, you’ll know that there is an optional practical expedient to not separate the components that can be elected by asset class. However, there are some pros and cons to taking the practical expedient that companies should consider before making their decision.
Key Considerations
1. How will you define the asset classes for which you elect the expedient? Keep in mind that the asset class categorization must be kept constant across all accounting standards.
2. If you choose not to separate components, how much greater will the right-of-use asset and lease liability be with the addition of non-lease components?
3. If you choose to separate, how will you track critical variables for valuing the components, like standalone observable prices?
What the Experts Think
Links to Additional Resources
New Lease Accounting Standard (ASC 842 and IFRS 16): CAM and Taxes
June 27, 2017
GAAP Dynamics discusses how FASB defines lease and non-lease components as well as what classifies as a non-component under the new lease accounting standard.
