Note: To understand the accounting for tenant improvement allowances under ASC 840, read our blog on TI allowances. If the landlord provides a cash allowance to the tenant for the tenant to construct improvements it will own and use, this cash payment will constitute immediately taxable income to the tenant. The tenant would have to use its own funds for the cost of the improvements and would depreciate the cost over the statutorily prescribed life. 168(k). These improvements can be offered as a credit in the rent or provided separately. This guide considers existing guidance as of March 31, 2016. Leasehold improvements are defined as the enhancements paid for by a tenant to leased space. subscription to Inform, PwC’s online accounting and financial reporting reference tool (www.pwcinform.com), or by contacting a PwC representative. For simplicity sake let’s consider it happened in December of year 7 for $64,000. Accounting for tenant improvement allowances 1. When developing language within the lease agreement concerning the tenant allowance, the landlord should consider including a restriction on the use of funds to ensure the allowance is eligible to be treated as qualified leasehold improvement property and for special depreciation allowance treatment under Sec. Examples of leasehold improvements are: Interior walls and ceilings Electrical and plumbing additions Built-in cabinetry Carpeting and tiles Leasehold improvements generally revert to the owne You will amortize $8,000 per year until the end of the 15 year lease. Future editions will be released to As a result of the incentive adjustment, periodic rent expense on the income statement is $210,113 ($220,195 – $10,082). In order to understand the correct accounting, here is an example: Assume a tenant enters into a 10 year operating lease requiring the tenant to make payments of $1,000 in years 1-5 and $2,000 in years 6-10. Improvement allowances may be a fixed amount or based on a certain amount per square foot. There is no lessee accounting impact, unless the lessee fronts the cost and is reimbursed by the lessor. If improvement payments are deemed to be for assets of the lessor, then the lessor capitalizes the related cost as a fixed asset. Sometimes, the landlord gives the tenant an allowance, called a tenant improvement allowance, to pay for the leasehold improvements. The tenant will typically amortize the improvements over the term of the lease, and in most cases the improvements revert to the building owner upon lease termination. If the cost of the leasehold improvements exceeds the tenant improvement allowance, the tenant pays for those improvements out of pocket. To the extent the tenant uses this improvement allowance to construct its improvements in its lease space, the tenant may depreciate these assets. 2. A tentative tenant may consider the TI allowance a big concession or magnanimous gift from the landlord, and therefore feel less inclined to make demands. Guidance date As the environment continues to change, so will the content in this guide. Scenario: You have a mid-term tenant improvement that takes part in year 7 of a 15 year lease. Leasehold improvements are typically provided over and above the building allowance. In order to induce the tenant to enter into the lease, the landlord agrees to provide funding of up to $1,000 for leasehold improvements. LeaseQuery.com info@LeaseQuery.com 1-800-880-7270 LeaseQuery Your Easy Button For Lease Accounting 1 2. The tenant improvement allowance is an outstanding benefit, and tenants should enter negotiations prepared to negotiate hard for it. 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Leasequery.Com info @ leasequery.com 1-800-880-7270 LeaseQuery Your Easy Button for lease accounting 1 2 tenant improvement allowances may a...