Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

In accordance with the guidance for business combinations, we determine whether a transaction or other event is a business combination, which requires that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed constitute a business. Each business combination is then accounted for by applying the acquisition method. If the assets acquired are not a business, we account for the transaction or other event as an asset acquisition. Under both methods, we recognize the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquired entity. In addition, for transactions that are business combinations, we evaluate the existence of goodwill or a gain from a bargain purchase. We capitalize acquisition-related costs and fees associated with asset acquisitions. We immediately expense acquisition-related costs and fees associated with business combinations. 

Assumptions used in the model are property-specific where this information is available; however, when certain necessary information is not available, we use available regional and property-type information. Assumptions and estimates include the following:

The discount rates and residual capitalization rates used to value the properties are selected based on several factors, including:

In the case where a tenant has a purchase option deemed to be favorable to the tenant, or the tenant has long-term renewal options at rental rates below estimated market rental rates, we include the value of the exercise of such purchase option or long-term renewal options in the determination of residual value.

The remaining economic life of leased assets is estimated by relying in part upon third-party appraisals of the leased assets, industry standards, and based on our experience. Different estimates of remaining economic life will affect the depreciation expense that is recorded.

We evaluate the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease and any pre-existing relationship with each tenant in determining the value of in-place lease intangibles. To determine the value of in-place lease intangibles, we consider the following:

Estimated carrying costs of the property include real estate taxes, insurance, other property operating costs, and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the market participants’ expected lease-up periods, based on assessments of specific market conditions. 

We determine these values using our estimates or by relying in part upon third-party appraisals conducted by independent appraisal firms.

We amortize the above-market lease intangible as a reduction of lease revenue over the remaining contractual lease term. We amortize the below-market lease intangible as an increase to lease revenue over the initial term and any renewal periods in the respective leases. We include the value of above-market leases in Other intangible assets, net in the consolidated financial statements. We include the value of below-market leases in Below-market rent and other intangible liabilities in the consolidated financial statements. We include the amortization of above- and below-market ground lease intangibles in Property expenses in the consolidated financial statements.

The value of any in-place lease is estimated to be equal to the acquirer’s avoidance of costs as a result of having tenants in place, that would be necessary to lease the property for a lease term equal to the remaining primary in-place lease term and the value of investment grade tenancy. The cost avoidance is derived first by determining the in-place lease term on the subject lease. Then, based on our review of the market, the cost to be borne by a property owner to replicate a market lease to the remaining in-place term is estimated. These costs consist of: (i) rent lost during downtime (i.e. assumed periods of vacancy), (ii) estimated expenses that would be incurred by the property owner during periods of vacancy, (iii) rent concessions (i.e. free rent), (iv) leasing commissions, and (v) tenant improvements allowances given to tenants. We determine these values using our estimates or by relying in part upon third-party appraisals. We amortize the value of in-place lease intangibles to expense over the remaining initial term of each lease. The amortization period for intangibles does not exceed the remaining depreciable life of the building.

If a lease is terminated, we charge the unamortized portion of above- and below-market lease values to rental income and in-place lease values to amortization expense.

We periodically assess whether there are any indicators that the value of our long-lived real estate and related intangible assets may be impaired or that their carrying value may not be recoverable. These impairment indicators include, but are not limited to, the vacancy of a property that is not subject to a lease, an upcoming lease expiration, a tenant with credit difficulty, the termination of a lease by a tenant, or a likely disposition of the property. We may incur impairment charges on long-lived assets, including real estate-related intangible assets, direct financing leases, assets held for sale, and equity investments in real estate. We may also incur impairment charges on marketable securities and goodwill. Our policies and estimates for evaluating whether these assets are impaired are presented below.

As our investment objective is to hold properties on a long-term basis, holding periods used in the undiscounted cash flow analysis are generally ten years, but may be less if our intent is to hold a property for less than ten years. Depending on the assumptions made and estimates used, the future cash flow projected in the evaluation of long-lived assets and associated intangible assets can vary within a range of outcomes. We consider the likelihood of possible outcomes in determining our estimate of future cash flows and, if warranted, we apply a probability-weighted method to the different possible scenarios. If the future net undiscounted cash flow of the property’s asset group is less than the carrying value, the carrying value of the property’s asset group is considered not recoverable. We then measure the impairment loss as the excess of the carrying value of the property’s asset group over its estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of the property’s asset group is primarily determined using market information from outside sources, such as broker quotes or recent comparable sales. In cases where the available market information is not deemed appropriate, we perform a future net cash flow analysis discounted for inherent risk associated with each asset to determine an estimated fair value.

We also assess the carrying amount for recoverability and if, as a result of the decreased expected cash flows, we determine that our carrying value is not fully recoverable, we record an allowance for credit losses to reflect the change in the estimate of the future cash flows that includes rent. Accordingly, the net investment balance is written down to fair value. When we enter into a contract to sell the real estate assets that are recorded as direct financing leases, we evaluate whether we believe it is probable that the disposition will occur. If we determine that the disposition is probable, we will classify the net investment as held for sale and write down the net investment to its fair value if the fair value is less than the carrying value.

The goodwill impairment test is a two-step test. However, we have the option to qualitatively assess any potential impairment via step zero prior to analyzing steps one and two quantitatively. In this step, the macroeconomic environment in which the reporting unit operates is analyzed for any significant changes, such as deterioration in a market in which we operate or deterioration in overall financial performance, such as declining cash flows. Also, entity-specific changes are analyzed, such as changes in management, strategy, or composition of reporting unit. If, after assessing the overall macroeconomic environment, it is unlikely that the fair value is less than the carrying value, steps one and two do not need to be performed.

If step zero is not considered, the first step is to compare the estimated fair value of each of our reporting units with their respective carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, we do not consider goodwill to be impaired and no further analysis is required. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, we then perform the second step to determine and measure the amount of the potential impairment charge.

For the second step, if it were required, we compare the implied fair value of the goodwill for each reporting unit with its respective carrying amount and record an impairment charge equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the implied fair value. We would determine the implied fair value of the goodwill by allocating the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to its assets and liabilities. The excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of the goodwill.

We do not intend to sell our debt securities and we do not expect that it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell these investments before their anticipated recovery. However, if we determine that an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred, we calculate the total impairment charge as the difference between the carrying value of our debt securities and their estimated fair value. We then separate the other-than-temporary impairment charge into the non-credit loss portion and the credit loss portion. We determine the non-credit loss portion by analyzing the changes in spreads on high credit quality debt securities as compared with the changes in spreads on the debt securities being analyzed for other-than-temporary impairment. We generally perform this analysis over a time period from the date of acquisition of the debt securities through the date of the analysis. Any resulting loss is deemed to represent losses due to the illiquidity of the debt securities and is recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive loss in equity. We then measure the credit loss portion of the other-than-temporary impairment as the residual amount of the other-than-temporary impairment. We record the non-credit loss portion in earnings.

Following recognition of the other-than-temporary impairment, the difference between the new cost basis of the debt securities and cash flows expected to be collected is accreted to Other interest income over the remaining expected lives of the securities.

Other Accounting Policies

We recognize gains and losses on the sale of properties when, among other criteria, we no longer have continuing involvement, the parties are bound by the terms of the contract, all consideration has been exchanged, and all conditions precedent to closing have been performed. At the time the sale is consummated, a gain or loss is recognized as the difference between the sale price, less any selling costs, and the carrying value of the property.

In order to determine the fair value of the asset retirement obligations, we make certain estimates and assumptions including, among other things, projected cash flows, the borrowing interest rate, and an assessment of market conditions that could significantly impact the estimated fair value. These estimates and assumptions are subjective.

A transaction gain or loss (measured from the transaction date or the most recent intervening balance sheet date, whichever is later), realized upon settlement of a foreign currency transaction generally will be included in net income for the period in which the transaction is settled. Also, intercompany foreign currency transactions that are scheduled for settlement, consisting primarily of accrued interest and the translation to the reporting currency of short-term subordinated intercompany debt with scheduled principal payments, are included in the determination of net income.

Intercompany foreign currency transactions of a long-term nature (that is, settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future), in which the entities to the transactions are consolidated or accounted for by the equity method in our consolidated financial statements, are not included in net income but are reported as a component of other comprehensive income in equity.

We conduct business in various states and municipalities within the United States, Europe, and Asia and, as a result, we or one or more of our subsidiaries file income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and various state and certain foreign jurisdictions. As a result, we are subject to certain foreign, state, and local taxes and a provision for such taxes is included in the consolidated financial statements.

We elect to treat certain of our corporate subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs. In general, a TRS may perform additional services for our tenants and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate-related business (except for the operation or management of health care facilities or lodging facilities or providing to any person, under a franchise, license or otherwise, rights to any brand name under which any lodging facility or health care facility is operated). A TRS is subject to corporate federal income tax.

Significant judgment is required in determining our tax provision and in evaluating our tax positions. We establish tax reserves based on a benefit recognition model, which we believe could result in a greater amount of benefit (and a lower amount of reserve) being initially recognized in certain circumstances. Provided that the tax position is deemed more likely than not of being sustained, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being ultimately realized upon settlement. We derecognize the tax position when it is no longer more likely than not of being sustained.

Our earnings and profits, which determine the taxability of distributions to stockholders, differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes due primarily to differences in depreciation, including our hotel property, and timing differences of rent recognition and certain expense deductions, for federal income tax purposes. Deferred income taxes relate primarily to our TRSs and foreign properties, and are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the financial reporting bases of assets and liabilities of our TRSs and their respective tax bases, and for their operating loss and tax credit carryforwards based on enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. However, deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is more likely than not that they will be realized based on consideration of available evidence, including tax planning strategies and other factors.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 does not apply to our lease revenues, which constitute a majority of our revenues, but will apply to reimbursed tenant costs and revenues generated from our operating properties. We will adopt this guidance for our annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2018 using one of two methods: retrospective restatement for each reporting period presented at the time of adoption, or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this guidance recognized at the date of initial application. We have not decided which method of adoption we will use. We are evaluating the impact of the new standard and have not yet determined if it will have a material impact on our business or our consolidated financial statements.