Title: Leasehold Improvements Accounting & Amortization, US GAAP
Headings: Leasehold Improvements Accounting and Amortization under US GAAP
Leasehold Improvements Accounting and Amortization under US GAAP
4. Bonus depreciation and tax considerations for qualified LHIs
Common examples of leasehold improvements
Accounting for leasehold improvements
Amortization of leasehold improvements
Example of leasehold improvement amortization
Leasehold improvements and AROs
Tax considerations for qualified leasehold improvements
Qualified improvement property for Section 179
Summary
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Changes made to the exterior of a building or improvements that benefit other tenants are likely not leasehold improvements. Examples of non-leasehold improvements include things like construction or additions to the elevator, exterior roof, shared parking garage, or any external structural improvements. To clarify further, increasing the value or the life of an entire property is viewed as a building improvement whereas leasehold improvements are customizations or changes specific to only one tenant. Accounting for leasehold improvements
Leasehold improvements are assets, and are a part of property, plant, and equipment in the non-current assets section of the balance sheet. Therefore, they are accounted for with other fixed assets in accordance with ASC 360. The US GAAP lease accounting standards, both ASC 840 and ASC 842, also discuss the amortization of leasehold improvements related to operating leases. Amortization of leasehold improvements
ASC 840-10-35-6 states that leasehold improvements to operating leases placed in service significantly after, and not contemplated at or near the beginning of, the lease term need to be amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the remaining lease periods and renewals that are deemed to be reasonably certain at the date the leasehold improvements are purchased. Similarly, ASC 842-20-35-12 states that leasehold improvements need to be amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the leasehold improvements or the remaining lease term. However, if the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee or the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise an option to purchase the underlying asset, the lessee should amortize the leasehold improvements to the end of their useful life.