SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of presentation and consolidation

Basis of presentation and consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

On June 29, 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (Codification) as the single source of authoritative US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for all non-governmental entities Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and also sources of authoritative US GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification does not change US GAAP but takes previously issued FASB standards and other U.S. GAAP authoritative pronouncements, changes the way the standards are referred to, and includes them in specific topic arrears. The adoption of the Codification did not have any impact on the Group’s financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements are presented in US Dollars and include the accounts of the Group and its subsidiaries.  All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The following table depicts the identity of the subsidiaries:

Name of Subsidiary	Place of Incorporation	Attributable Equity Interest %	Registered Capital
Green Standard Technologies Enterprise, Inc. (1)	Nevada	100	USD 100
Syndicore Asia Limited (2)	Hong Kong	100	HKD 1
Z-Line International E-Commerce Limited (3)	Hong Kong	55	HKD 8,000,000
Hunan Syndicore Asia Limited	PRC	100	HKD  10,000,000

Note:

(1) Wholly owned subsidiary of ZZLL, discontinuous as at Dec 29, 2017

(2) Wholly owned subsidiary of ZZLL

(3) 55% owned subsidiary of Syndicore Asia Limited

(4) Wholly owned subsidiary of Syndicore Asia Limited

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the years are included in the consolidated income statement from the effective date of acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal.

Use of estimates

Use of estimates

In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting year.  These accounts and estimates include, but are not limited to, the valuation of accounts receivable, deferred income taxes and the estimation on useful lives of plant and equipment.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentrations of credit risk

Concentrations of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Group to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable.  In respect of accounts receivable, the Group extends credit based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition, generally without requiring collateral or other security.  In order to minimize the credit risk, the management of the Group has delegated a team responsibility for determination of credit limits, credit approvals and other monitoring procedures to ensure that follow-up action is taken to recover overdue debts.  Further, the Group reviews the recoverable amount of each individual trade debt at each balance sheet date to ensure that adequate impairment losses are made for irrecoverable amounts.  In this regard, the directors of the Group consider that the Group’s credit risk is significantly reduced.  

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash, deposits in banks and other highly liquid investments with initial maturities of three months or less.

Accounts receivable

 Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable are stated at original amount less allowance made for doubtful receivables, if any, based on a review of all outstanding amounts at the year end.  An allowance is also made when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to original terms of receivables.  Bad debts are written off when identified.  The Group extends unsecured credit to customers in the normal course of business and believes all accounts receivable in excess of the allowances for doubtful receivables to be fully collectible.  The Group does not accrue interest on trade accounts receivable. The Group has a credit policy in place and the exposure to credit risk is monitored on an ongoing basis credit evaluations are preferred on all customers requiring credit over a certain amount.  The Group had experienced the bad debts of $nil and $nil during the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 respectively.

Plant and equipment

Plant and equipment

Plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Cost represents the purchase price of the asset and other costs incurred to bring the asset into its existing use.  Maintenance, repairs and betterments, including replacement of minor items, are charged to expense; major additions to physical properties are capitalized.

Depreciation of plant and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives at the following annual rates:

Furniture and fixtures	20% - 50%
Office equipment	20%

Property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated.

Revenue recognition

Revenue recognition

The Group recognizes revenue when it is earned and realizable based on the following criteria: persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.

The Group also evaluates the presentation of revenue on a gross versus a net basis through application of Emerging Issues Task Force No. (“EITF”) 99-19, Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent. The consensus of this literature is that the presentation of revenue as “the gross amount billed to a customer because it has earned revenue from the sale of goods or services or the net amount retained (that is, the amount billed to a customer less the amount paid to a supplier) because it has earned a commission or fee” is a matter of judgment that depends on the relevant facts and circumstances. In making an evaluation of this issue, some of the factors that should be considered are: whether the Group is the primary obligor in the arrangement (strong indicator); whether it has general inventory risk (before customer order is placed or upon customer return) (strong indicator); and whether we have latitude in establishing price. The guidance clearly indicates that the evaluations of these factors, which at times can be contradictory, are subject to significant judgment and subjectivity. If the conclusion drawn is that the Group performs as an agent or a broker without assuming the risks and rewards of ownership of goods, revenue should be reported on a net basis.

Advertising expenses

Advertising expenses

Advertising expenses are charged to expense as incurred. The advertising expenses incurred for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $Nil and $Nil respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The FASB issued Accounting Standard Codification Topic 740 (ASC 740) “Income Taxes”. ASC 740 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. This requires that an entity recognized in the consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. The adoption of ASC 740 did not have any impact on the Group’s results of operations or financial condition for the year ended 31 December, 2017.  As of the date of the adoption of ASC 740, the Group has no material unrecognized tax benefit which would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods.  The Group has elected to classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if and when required, as part of income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Comprehensive income

Comprehensive income

Other comprehensive income refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under U.S. GAAP are included in comprehensive income but are excluded from net income as these amounts are recorded as a component of stockholders’ equity.  The Group’s other comprehensive income represented foreign currency translation adjustments.

Foreign currency translation

Foreign currency translation

The functional currency of the Group is Hong Kong dollars (“HK$”).  The Group maintains its financial statements in the functional currency.  Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet dates.  Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency at the exchanges rates prevailing at the dates of the transaction. In 2015, the exchange rate being use to translate amount in HK$ is fixed at 7.8 to 1 for the purpose of preparing the consolidated financial statements which is derived from October 17, 1983 monetary policy from Hong Kong Monetary Authority where the Hong Kong dollar was pegged at a rate of 7.8 HK$ = 1 US$, through the currency board system with a limited floating range from 7.85 to 7.75.  Exchange gains or losses arising from foreign currency transactions are included in the determination of net income for the respective periods.

For financial reporting purposes, the financial statements of the Group which are prepared using the functional currency have been translated into United States dollars.  Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates at the balance sheet dates and revenue and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates and stockholders’ equity is translated at historical exchange rates.  Any translation adjustments resulting are not included in determining net income but are included in foreign exchange adjustment to other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity.

	Year ended	Year ended
	Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017
Year ended HK$ : US$ exchange rate	7.8	7.8
Average yearly HK$ : US$ exchange rate	7.8	7.8
Year ended RMB : US$ exchange rate	6.85052	6.50271
Average yearly RMB : US$ exchange rate	6.72356	6.71025

Fair value of financial instruments

Fair value of financial instruments

The carrying values of the Group’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, deposits, trade and other payables approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturity of such

instruments. The carrying amounts of borrowings approximate their fair values because the applicable interest rates approximate current market rates.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation

Share-based compensation including stock options and common stock awards issued to employees and directors for services and are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 718 "Compensation - Stock Compensation" and share-based compensation including warrants and common stock awards issued to consultants and nonemployees are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 505-50 "Equity-Based Payment to Non-employees.  All grant of common stock awards and stock options/warrants to employees and directors are recognized in the financial statements based on their grant date fair values. Awards to consultants and nonemployees are recognized based upon their fair value as of the earlier of a commitment date or completion of services. The grant date(s) of all awards are determined under the guidance of ASC 718-10-25-5. The Company estimates fair value of common stock awards based the quoted price of the Company's common stock on the grant date. The fair value of stock options and warrants is determined using the appropriate option pricing model depends on the applicable of situation.

Basic and diluted earnings per share

Basic and diluted earnings per share

The Group computes earnings per share (“EPS’) in accordance with FASB Accounting Standard Codification Topic 260 (ASC 260) “Earnings Per Share”, and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 98 (“SAB 98”). ASC 260 requires companies with complex capital structures to present basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is measured as the income or loss available to common shareholders divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS but presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares (e.g., convertible securities, options, and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential common shares that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.

The calculation of diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2018 is based on the estimate fair value of the Group’s common stock during such periods applied to options using the treasury stock method to determine if they are dilutive.

Effective on October 5, 2017, each of fifty (50) shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Old Common Stock”) shall automatically and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be reclassified as and changed, pursuant, into one (1) share of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock (the “New Common Stock”).

The following tables are a reconciliation of the weighted average shares used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented:

For the Year ended December 31,	2018		2017
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:	$		$
Net (loss)/income	(120,806	)	(924,556	)
Denominator:
Basic weighted average shares	20,116,352		5,040,092
Effect of dilutive securities	-		-
Diluted weighted average shares	20,116,352		5,040,092
Basic earnings per share:	(0.60 cents	)	(18.35 cents	)
Diluted earnings per share:	(0.60 cents	)	(18.35 cents	)

No dilution effect due to net loss for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Related parties transactions

Related parties transactions

A related party is generally defined as (i) any person that holds 10% or more of the Group’s securities and their immediate families, (ii) the Group’s management, (iii) someone that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Group, or (iv) anyone who can significantly influence the financial and operating decisions of the Group. A transaction is considered to be a related party transaction when there is a transfer of resources or obligations between related parties.

Commitments and contingencies

Commitments and contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

FASB Simplifies Adoption of New Leases Standard for Certain Land Easements. The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842):Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842, which clarifies the application of the new leases guidance to land easements and eases adoption efforts for some land easements.

ASU 2018-01 is expected to reduce the cost of adopting the new leases standard for certain land easements. It is also an attempt to help ensure that companies can make a successful transition to the standard without compromising the quality of information provided to investors about these transactions.

Land easements (also commonly referred to as rights of way) represent the right to use, access, or cross another entity’s land for a specified purpose. Land easements are used by utility and telecommunications companies, for example, when they need to take a small strip of land, or easement, to bury wires. Not all companies have historically accounted for them as leases.

Stakeholders pointed out that the requirement to evaluate all old and existing land easements, sometimes numbering in the tens of thousands, to determine if they meet the definition of a lease under the new standard could be very costly. They also noted there would be limited benefit to applying this requirement, as many of their land easements would not meet the definition of a lease, or even if they met that definition, many of their easements are prepaid and, therefore, already are recognized on the balance sheet.

 The land easements ASU addresses this by:

· Providing an optional transition practical expedient that, if elected, would not require an organization to reconsider their accounting for existing land easements that are not currently accounted for under the old leases standard; and

· Clarifying that new or modified land easements should be evaluated under the new leases standard, once an entity has adopted the new standard.

The FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) that helps organizations address certain stranded income tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, provides financial statement preparers with an option to reclassify stranded tax effects within AOCI to retained earnings in each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (or portion thereof) is recorded.

The ASU requires financial statement preparers to disclose:

·A description of the accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from AOCI;

·Whether they elect to reclassify the stranded income tax effects from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; and

·Information about the other income tax effects that are reclassified.

The amendments affect any organization that is required to apply the provisions of Topic 220, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income, and has items of other comprehensive income for which the related tax effects are presented in other comprehensive income as required by GAAP.

The amendments are effective for all organizations for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Organizations should apply the proposed amendments either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized.

FASB Issues Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments. The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-03, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, that clarifies the guidance in ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10), as follows:

·

Issue 1: Equity Securities without a Readily Determinable Fair Value— Discontinuation. The amendment clarifies that an entity measuring an equity security using the measurement alternative may change its measurement approach to a fair value method in accordance with Topic 820,Fair Value Measurement, through an irrevocable election that would apply to that security and all identical or similar investments of the same issuer. Once an entity makes this election, the entity should measure all future purchases of identical or similar investments of the same issuer using a fair value method in accordance with Topic 820.

·

Issue 2: Equity Securities without a Readily Determinable Fair Value— Adjustments. The amendment clarifies that the adjustments made under the measurement alternative are intended to reflect the fair value of the security as of the date that the observable transaction for a similar security took place.

·

Issue 3: Forward Contracts and Purchased Options. The amendment clarifies that remeasuring the entire value of forward contracts and purchased options is required when observable transactions occur on the underlying equity securities.

·

Issue 4: Presentation Requirements for Certain Fair Value Option Liabilities. The amendment clarifies that when the fair value option is elected for a financial liability, the guidance in paragraph 825-10- 45-5 should be applied, regardless of whether the fair value option was elected under either Subtopic 815-15,Derivatives and Hedging— Embedded Derivatives, or 825-10,Financial Instruments— Overall.

·

Issue 5: Fair Value Option Liabilities Denominated in a Foreign Currency. The amendments clarify that for financial liabilities for which the fair value option is elected, the amount of change in fair value that relates to the instrument-specific credit risk should first be measured in the currency of denomination when presented separately from the total change in fair value of the financial liability. Then, both components of the change in the fair value of the liability should be remeasured into the functional currency of the reporting entity using end-of-period spot rates.

·

Issue 6: Transition Guidance for Equity Securities without a Readily Determinable Fair Value. The amendment clarifies that the prospective transition approach for equity securities without a readily determinable fair value in the amendments in ASU No. 2016-01 is meant only for instances in which the measurement alternative is applied. An insurance entity subject to the guidance in Topic 944,Financial Services— Insurance, should apply a prospective transition method when applying the amendments related to equity securities without readily determinable fair values. An insurance entity should apply the selected prospective transition method consistently to the entity’s entire population of equity securities for which the measurement alternative is elected.

For public business entities, ASU 2018-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2018. Public business entities with fiscal years beginning between December 15, 2017, and June 15, 2018, are not required to adopt ASU 2018-03 until the interim period beginning after June 15, 2018, and public business entities with fiscal years beginning between June 15, 2018, and December 15, 2018, are not required to adopt these amendments before adopting the amendments in ASU 2016-01. For all other entities, the effective date is the same as the effective date in ASU 2016-01.

All entities may early adopt ASU 2018-03 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, as long as they have adopted ASU 2016-01.

FASB Adds SEC Guidance to the Codification on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. ASU 2018-05 amends certain SEC material in Topic 740 for the income tax accounting implications of the recently issued Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Act).

ASU 2018-05 adds the following guidance, among other things, to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ regarding the Act:

·

Question 1:If the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act is not completed by the time a company issues its financial statements that include the reporting period in which the Act was enacted, what amounts should a company include in its financial statements for those income tax effects for which the accounting under Topic 740 is incomplete?

·

Answer 1:In a company’s financial statements that include the reporting period in which the Act was enacted, a company must first reflect the income tax effects of the Act in which the accounting under Topic 740 is complete. These completed amounts would not be provisional amounts. The company would then also report provisional amounts for those specific income tax effects of the Act for which the accounting under Topic 740 will be incomplete but a reasonable estimate can be determined. For any specific income tax effects of the Act for which a reasonable estimate cannot be determined, the company would not report provisional amounts and would continue to apply Topic 740 based on the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to the Act being enacted. For those income tax effects for which a company was not able to determine a reasonable estimate (such that no related provisional amount was reported for the reporting period in which the Act was enacted), the company would report provisional amounts in the first reporting period in which a reasonable estimate can be determined.

·

Question 2: If an entity accounts for certain income tax effects of the Act under a measurement period approach, what disclosures should be provided?

·

Answer 2:The staff believes an entity should include financial statement disclosures to provide information about the material financial reporting impacts of the Act for which the accounting under Topic 740 is incomplete, including:

1.

Qualitative disclosures of the income tax effects of the Act for which the accounting is incomplete;

2.

Disclosures of items reported as provisional amounts;

3.

Disclosures of existing current or deferred tax amounts for which the income tax effects of the Act have not been completed;

4.

The reason why the initial accounting is incomplete;

5.

The additional information that is needed to be obtained, prepared, or analyzed in order to complete the accounting requirements under Topic 740;

6.

The nature and amount of any measurement period adjustments recognized during the reporting period;

7.

The effect of measurement period adjustments on the effective tax rate; and

8.

When the accounting for the income tax effects of the Act has been completed.

ASU 2018-05 is effective upon inclusion in the FASB Codification.

The FASB Issues ASU No. 2018-06 to Supersede Circular 202 for Depository and Lending Institutions. The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No.2018-06,Codification Improvements to Topic 942, Financial Services—Depository and Lending. ASU 2018-06 removes outdated guidance related to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s Banking Circular 202, Accounting for Net Deferred Tax Charges (Circular 202) in Subtopic 942-740, Financial Services—Depository and Lending—Income Taxes and should have no effect on reporting entities.

The amendments in ASU 2018-06 are effective immediately.

The FASB has issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) intended to reduce cost and complexity and to improve financial reporting for nonemployee share-based payments.

The ASU expands the scope of Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (which currently only includes share-based payments to employees) to include share-based payments issued to nonemployees for goods or services. Consequently, the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees and employees will be substantially aligned. The ASU supersedes Subtopic 505-50, Equity—Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees.

The amendments in this ASU are effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. For all other companies, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than a company’s adoption date of Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

FASB Releases ASU No. 2018-09. The FASB has released Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-09, Codification Improvements. ASU 2018-09 affects a wide variety of Topics in the Codification including:

·

Amendments to Subtopic 220-10, Income Statement— Reporting Comprehensive Income—Overall. The guidance in paragraph 220-10-45-10B(b) states that taxes not payable in cash are required to be reported as a direct adjustment to paid-in capital. This requirement conflicts with other guidance in Topic 740,Income Taxes, Subtopic 805-740,Business Combinations—Income Taxes, and Subtopic 852-740,Reorganizations—Income Taxes, which generally states that income taxes and adjustments to those accounts upon a business combination or a bankruptcy that is eligible for fresh-start reporting must be recognized in income. ASU No. 2018-09 clarifies the guidance in paragraph 220-10-45-10B by removing the generic phrase taxes not payable in cash and adding guidance that is specific to certain quasi-reorganizations.

·

Amendments to Subtopic 470-50, Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments. The guidance in paragraph 470-50-40-2 requires that the difference between the reacquisition price of debt and the net carrying amount of extinguished debt be recognized in income in the period of extinguishment. The guidance in that paragraph was not amended by FASB Statement No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, or FASB Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities; therefore, it does not specifically address extinguishments of debt when the fair value option is elected. ASU No. 2018-09 clarifies that:

1.

When the fair value option has been elected on debt that is extinguished, the net carrying amount of the extinguished debt equals its fair value at the reacquisition date, and

2.

Related gains or losses in other comprehensive income must be included in net income upon extinguishment of the debt.

·

Amendments to Subtopic 480-10, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity—Overall. The guidance in paragraph 480-10-25-15 prohibits the combination of freestanding financial instruments within the scope of Subtopic 480-10 with noncontrolling interest, unless the combination is required by Topic 815,Derivatives and Hedging. The example in paragraphs 480-10-55-55 and 480-10-55-59 conflicts with that guidance by stating that freestanding option contracts with the terms in Derivative 2 should be accounted for on a combined basis with the noncontrolling interest. The source of the example in paragraph 480-10-55-59 is from EITF Issue No. 00-4, “Majority Owner’s Accounting for a Transaction in the Shares of a Consolidated Subsidiary and a Derivative Indexed to the Noncontrolling Interest in That Subsidiary.” Issue 00-4 was nullified by FASB Statement No. 150,Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity, but a conforming amendment to the example in paragraph 480-10-55-59 was not made to align it with the guidance in Statement 150. The amendment in this Update conforms the guidance in paragraphs 480-10-55-55 and 480-10-55-59 with the guidance in Statement 150.

·

Amendments to Subtopic 718-740, Compensation—Stock Compensation—Income Taxes. The guidance in paragraph 718-740-35-2, as amended, is unclear on whether an entity should recognize excess tax benefits (or tax deficiencies) for compensation expense that is taken on the entity’s tax return. The amendment to paragraph 718-740-35-2 in ASU No. 2018-09 clarifies that an entity should recognize excess tax benefits (that is, the difference in tax benefits between the deduction for tax purposes and the compensation cost recognized for financial statement reporting) in the period when the tax deduction for compensation expense is taken on the entity’s tax return. This includes deductions that are taken on the entity’s return in a different period from when the event that gives rise to the tax deduction occurs and the uncertainty about whether (1) the entity will receive a tax deduction and (2) the amount of the tax deduction is resolved.

·

Amendments to Subtopic 805-740, Business Combinations— Income Taxes. The amendments to paragraph 805-740-25-13 removes a list of three methods for allocating the consolidated tax provision to an acquired entity after acquisition that is inconsistent with guidance in Topic 740. The three methods for tax allocation described in paragraph 805-740-25-13 do not follow the broad principles of being systematic, rational, and consistent with Topic 740. The amendment removes the allocation methods in paragraph 805-740-25-13 and conforms the guidance in Subtopic 805-740 with the guidance in Topic 740.

·

Amendments to Subtopic 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging— Overall. The amendment to paragraphs 815-10-45-4 and 815-10-45-5 in ASU No. 2018-09 clarifies the circumstances in which derivatives may be offset. Under certain specific conditions, derivatives may be offset if three of the four criteria in paragraph 210-20-45-1 are met. One of the criteria—the intent to set off—is not required to offset derivative assets and liabilities for certain amounts arising from derivative instruments recognized at fair value and executed with the same counterparty under a master netting agreement.

·

Amendments to Subtopic 820-10,Fair Value Measurement— Overall. The amendments to paragraph 820-10-35-16D in ASU No. 2018-09 clarify the Board’s decisions about the measurement of the fair value of a liability or instrument classified in a reporting entity’s shareholder’s equity from the perspective of a market participant that holds an identical item as an asset at the measurement date. A technical inquiry questioned how transfer restrictions embedded in an asset should affect the fair value of the corresponding liability or equity instrument from the perspective of the issuer. The amendments correct the wording of paragraph 820-10-35-16D to clarify how an entity should account for those restrictions. The amendments are not intended to substantively change the application of GAAP. However, it is possible that the amendments may result in a change to existing practice for some entities.

The amendments to paragraphs 820-10-35-18D through 35-18F and 820-10-35- 18H through 35-18L revise the current guidance to allow portfolios of financial instruments and nonfinancial instruments accounted for as derivatives in accordance with Topic 815 to use the portfolio exception to valuation. The amendments improve guidance by adding wording that explicitly states that a group of financial assets, financial liabilities, nonfinancial items accounted for as derivatives in accordance with Topic 815, or a combination of these items that otherwise meet the criteria to do so are permitted to apply the portfolio exception for measuring fair value of the group. This allows entities to measure fair value on a net basis for those portfolios in which financial assets and financial liabilities and nonfinancial instruments are managed and valued together.

·

Amendments to Subtopic 940-405,Financial Services—Brokers and Dealers—Liabilities. Paragraph 940-405-55-1 contains incomplete guidance about offsetting on the balance sheet. The current guidance focuses only on explicit settlement dates as a determining criterion for offsetting when, in fact, an entity should consider all the requirements in Section 210-20-45,Balance Sheet—Offsetting—Other Presentation Matters, to determine whether a right of offset exists. There is similar guidance in paragraph 942-210-45-3. Paragraphs 940-405-55-1 and 942-210-45- 3 originated from two different AICPA Audit and Accounting Guides and paraphrase the guidance in Subtopic 210-20, albeit each slightly differently. The Board decided to amend both paragraphs so that the industry Topic guidance refers to the complete guidance for offsetting.

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Amendments to Subtopic 962-325,Plan Accounting—Defined Contribution Pension Plans—Investments—Other. The amendment to Subtopic 962-325 removes the stable value common collective trust fund from the illustrative example in paragraph 962-325-55-17 to avoid the interpretation that such an investment would never have a readily determinable fair value and, therefore, would always use the net asset value per share practical expedient. Rather, a plan should evaluate whether a readily determinable fair value exists to determine whether those investments may qualify for the practical expedient to measure at net asset value in accordance with Topic 820.

Transition and Effective Date. The transition and effective date guidance is based on the facts and circumstances of each amendment. Some of the amendments in ASU No. 2018-09 do not require transition guidance and will be effective upon issuance of ASU No. 2018-09. However, many of the amendments do have transition guidance with effective dates for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, for public business entities.

In addition, there are some conforming amendments in ASU No. 2018-09 that have been made to recently issued guidance that is not yet effective that may require application of the transition and effective date guidance in the original ASU. For example, there are conforming amendments to Topic 820 and Subtopic 944-310, Financial Services—Insurance—Receivables, that are related to the amendments in Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, which require application of the transition and effective date guidance in that ASU.

The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases.

ASU No. 2018-10, among other things, amends Topic 842 as follows:

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Issue 1: Residual Value Guarantees - Paragraph 460-10-60-32 in Topic 460, Guarantees - This paragraph incorrectly refers readers to the guidance in Topic 842 about sale-leaseback-sublease transactions, when, in fact, it should refer readers to the guidance about guarantees by a seller-lessee of the underlying asset’s residual value in a sale and leaseback transaction. The amendment corrects the cross-reference in paragraph 460-10-60-32.

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Issue 2: Rate Implicit in the Lease - The amendment clarifies that a rate implicit in the lease of zero should be used when applying the definition of the term “rate implicit” in the lease results in a rate that is less than zero.

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Issue 3: Lessee Reassessment of Lease Classification - The amendment consolidates the requirements about lease classification reassessments into one paragraph and better articulates that an entity should perform the lease classification reassessment on the basis of the facts and circumstances, and the modified terms and conditions, if applicable, as of the date the reassessment is required.

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Issue 4: Lessor Reassessment of Lease Term and Purchase Option - The amendment clarifies that a lessor should account for the exercise by a lessee of an option to extend or terminate the lease or to purchase the underlying asset as a lease modification unless the exercise of that option by the lessee is consistent with the assumptions that the lessor made in accounting for the lease at the commencement date of the lease (or the most recent effective date of a modification that is not accounted for as a separate contract).

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Issue 5: Variable Lease Payments That Depend on an Index or a Rate - The amendment clarifies that a change in a reference index or rate upon which some or all of the variable lease payments in the contract are based does not constitute the resolution of a contingency subject to the guidance in paragraph 842-10-35-4(b). Variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate should be remeasured, using the index or rate at the remeasurement date, only when the lease payments are remeasured for another reason (that is, when one or more of the events described in paragraph 842-10-35- 4(a) or (c) occur or when a contingency unrelated to a change in a reference index or rate under paragraph 842-10-35-4(b) is resolved).

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Issue 6: Investment Tax Credits - There is an inconsistency in terminology used about the effect that investment tax credits have on the fair value of the underlying asset between the definition of the term rate implicit in the lease and the lease classification guidance in paragraph 842-10-55-8. The amendment removes that inconsistency by clarifying that the period covered by a lessor-only option to terminate the lease is included in the lease term.

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Issue 7: Lease Term and Purchase Option - The description in paragraph 842-10-55- 24 about lessor-only termination options is inconsistent with the description in paragraph 842-10-55- 23 about the noncancellable period of a lease. The amendment removes that inconsistency by clarifying that the period covered by a lessor-only option to terminate the lease is included in the lease term.

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Issue 8: Transition Guidance for Amounts Previously Recognized in Business Combinations - The transition guidance for lessors in paragraph 842-10-65-1(h)(3) is unclear because it relates to leases classified as direct financing leases or sales-type leases under Topic 840, while the lead-in sentence to paragraph 842-10-65-1(h) provides transition guidance for leases classified as operating leases under Topic 840. The amendment clarifies that paragraph 842-10-65-1(h)(3) applies to lessors for leases classified as direct financing leases or sales-type leases under Topic 842, not Topic 840. In other words, paragraph 842- 10-65-1(h)(3) applies when an entity does not elect the package of practical expedients in paragraph 842-10-65-1(f), and, for a lessor, an operating lease acquired as part of a previous business combination is classified as a direct financing lease or a sales-type lease when applying the lease classification guidance in Topic 842. The amendment also cross-references to other transition guidance applicable to those changes in lease classification for lessors.

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Issue 9: Certain Transition Adjustments - The amendments clarify whether to recognize a transition adjustment to earnings rather than through equity when an entity initially applies Topic 842 retrospectively to each prior reporting period.

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Issue 10: Transition Guidance for Leases Previously Classified as Capital Leases under Topic 840 - Paragraph 842-10-65-1(r) provides guidance to lessees for leases previously classified as capital leases under Topic 840 and classified as finance leases under Topic 842. Paragraph 842-10-65-1(r)(4) provides subsequent measurement guidance before the effective date when an entity initially applies Topic 842 retrospectively to each prior reporting period, but it refers readers to the subsequent measurement guidance in Topic 840 about operating leases. It should refer them to the subsequent measurement guidance applicable to capital leases. The amendment corrects that reference.

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Issue 11: Transition Guidance for Modifications to Leases Previously Classified as Direct Financing or Sales-Type Leases under Topic 840 - Paragraph 842-10-65-1(x) provides transition guidance applicable to lessors for leases previously classified as direct financing leases or sales-type leases under Topic 840 and classified as direct financing leases or sales-type leases under Topic 842. For modifications to those leases beginning after the effective date, paragraph 842-10-65-1(x)(4) refers readers to other applicable guidance in Topic 842 to account for the modification, specifically paragraphs 842-10-25-16 through 25- 17, depending on how the lease is classified after the modification. Stakeholders noted that it should refer to how the lease is classified before the modification to be consistent with the guidance provided in paragraphs 842-10-25-16 through 25-17. The amendment corrects that inconsistency.

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Issue 12: Transition Guidance for Sale and Leaseback Transactions - The amendments clarify that the transition guidance on sale and leaseback transactions in paragraph 842-10-65-1(aa) through (ee) applies to all sale and leaseback transactions that occur before the effective date and corrects the referencing issues noted.

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Issue 13: Impairment of Net Investment in the Lease - Paragraph 842-30-35-3 provides guidance to lessors for determining the loss allowance of the net investment in the lease and describes the cash flows that should be considered when the lessor determines that loss allowance. Stakeholders questioned whether the guidance, as written, would accelerate and improperly measure the loss allowance because the cash flows associated with the unguaranteed residual asset appear to be excluded from the evaluation. The amendment clarifies the application of the guidance for determining the loss allowance of the net investment in the lease, including the cash flows to consider in that assessment.

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Issue 14: Unguaranteed Residual Asset - The amendment clarifies that a lessor should not continue to accrete the unguaranteed residual asset to its estimated value over the remaining lease term to the extent that the lessor sells substantially all of the lease receivable associated with a direct financing lease or a sales-type lease, consistent with Topic 840.

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Issue 15: Effect of Initial Direct Costs on Rate Implicit in the Lease - The ordering of the illustration in Case C of Example 1 in paragraphs 842-30-55- 31 through 55-39 raised questions about how initial direct costs factor into determining the rate implicit in the lease for lease classification purposes for lessors only. The amendment more clearly aligns the illustration to the guidance in paragraph 842-10-25-4.

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Issue 16: Failed Sale and Leaseback Transaction - The amendment clarifies that a seller lessee in a failed sale and leaseback transaction should adjust the interest rate on its financial liability as necessary to ensure that the interest on the financial liability does not exceed the total payments (rather than the principal payments) on the financial liability. This clarification is also reflected in the relevant illustration on failed sale and leaseback transactions that is contained in Subtopic 842-40.

Effective Date

The amendments in ASU No. 2018-10 affect the amendments in ASU No. 2016-02, which are not yet effective, but for which early adoption upon issuance is permitted. For entities that early adopted Topic 842, the amendments are effective upon issuance of ASU No. 2018-10, and the transition requirements are the same as those in Topic 842. For entities that have not adopted Topic 842, the effective date and transition requirements will be the same as the effective date and transition requirements in Topic 842.

FASB Issues Targeted Improvements to Lease Standard . The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements. This ASU is intended to reduce costs and ease implementation of the leases standard for financial statement preparers.

“The targeted improvements in the ASU address areas our stakeholders identified as sources of unnecessary cost or complexity in the leases standard,” stated FASB Chairman Russell G. Golden. “They represent the FASB’s commitment to proactively address implementation issues raised by our stakeholders to ensure a successful transition to the new standard without compromising the quality of information provided to investors.”

ASU 2018-11 provides a new transition method and a practical expedient for separating components of a contract.

Transition: Comparative Reporting at Adoption

The amendments ASU 2018-11 provide entities with an additional (and optional) transition method to adopt the new leases standard. Under this new transition method, an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption consistent with preparers’ requests. Consequently, an entity’s reporting for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements in which it adopts the new leases standard will continue to be in accordance with current GAAP in Topic 840, Leases.

An entity that elects this additional (and optional) transition method must provide the required Topic 840 disclosures for all periods that continue to be in accordance with Topic 840. The amendments do not change the existing disclosure requirements in Topic 840 (for example, they do not create interim disclosure requirements that entities previously were not required to provide).

Separating Components of a Contract

The amendments in ASU 2018-11 provide lessors with a practical expedient, by class of underlying asset, to not separate nonlease components from the associated lease component and, instead, to account for those components as a single component if the nonlease components otherwise would be accounted for under the new revenue guidance (Topic 606) and both of the following are met:

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The timing and pattern of transfer of the nonlease component(s) and associated lease component are the same.

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The lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease.

An entity electing this practical expedient (including an entity that accounts for the combined component entirely in Topic 606) is required to disclose certain information, by class of underlying asset, as specified in the ASU.

Effective Date

The amendments in ASU 2018-11 related to separating components of a contract affect the amendments in ASU No. 2016-02, which are not yet effective but can be early adopted.

For entities that have not adopted Topic 842 before the issuance of this ASU, the effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this update related to separating components of a contract are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in ASU 2016-02.

For entities that have adopted Topic 842 before the issuance of ASU 2018-11, the transition and effective date of the amendments related to separating components of a contract in this ASU are as follows:

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The practical expedient may be elected either in the first reporting period following the issuance of this ASU or at the original effective date of Topic 842 for that entity.

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The practical expedient may be applied either retrospectively or prospectively.

All entities, including early adopters, that elect the practical expedient related to separating components of a contract in this ASU must apply the expedient, by class of underlying asset, to all existing lease transactions that qualify for the expedient at the date elected.

FASB Improves Guidance for Insurance Companies that Issue Long-Duration Contracts. The FASB has issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) that improves financial reporting for insurance companies that issue long-duration contracts, such as life insurance, disability income, long-term care, and annuities.

To improve this area of financial reporting, the new ASU:

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Requires updated assumptions for liability measurement.  Assumptions used to measure the liability for traditional insurance contracts, which are typically determined at contract inception, will now be reviewed, and, if there is a change, updated, at least annually, with the effect recorded in net income;

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Standardizes the liability discount rate. The liability discount rate will be a standardized, market-observable discount rate (upper-medium grade fixed-income instrument yield), with the effect of rate changes recorded in other comprehensive income;

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Provides greater consistency in measurement of market risk benefits. The two previous measurement models have been reduced to one measurement model (fair value), resulting in greater uniformity across similar market-based benefits and better alignment with the fair value measurement of derivatives used to hedge capital market risk;

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Simplifies amortization of deferred acquisition costs. Previous earnings-based amortization methods have been replaced with a more level amortization basis; and

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Requires enhanced disclosures. They include rollforwards and information about significant assumptions and the effects of changes in those assumptions.

For calendar-year public companies, the changes will be effective in 2021. For all other calendar-year companies, the changes will be effective in 2022. Early adoption is permitted.

The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.

ASU No. 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820 as follows:

Removals

The following disclosure requirements were removed from Topic 820:

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The amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy;

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The policy for timing of transfers between levels;

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The valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements; and

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For nonpublic entities, the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in earnings for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period.

Modifications

The following disclosure requirements were modified in Topic 820:

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In lieu of a rollforward for Level 3 fair value measurements, a nonpublic entity is required to disclose transfers into and out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and purchases and issues of Level 3 assets and liabilities;

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For investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value, an entity is required to disclose the timing of liquidation of an investee’s assets and the date when restrictions from redemption might lapse only if the investee has communicated the timing to the entity or announced the timing publicly; and

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The amendments clarify that the measurement uncertainty disclosure is to communicate information about the uncertainty in measurement as of the reporting date.

Additions

The following disclosure requirements were added to Topic 820; however, the disclosures are not required for nonpublic entities:

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The changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period; and

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The range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. For certain unobservable inputs, an entity may disclose other quantitative information (such as the median or arithmetic average) in lieu of the weighted average if the entity determines that other quantitative information would be a more reasonable and rational method to reflect the distribution of unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements.

In addition, the amendments eliminate at a minimum from the phrase “an entity shall disclose at a minimum” to promote the appropriate exercise of discretion by entities when considering fair value measurement disclosures and to clarify that materiality is an appropriate consideration of entities and their auditors when evaluating disclosure requirements.

Effective Date

The amendments in ASU No. 2018-13 are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019.

The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date.

Early adoption is permitted. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of ASU No. 2018-13 and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date.

The FASB has issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans, that applies to all employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans.

The amendments modify the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans.

Disclosure Requirements Deleted

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The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year.

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The amount and timing of plan assets expected to be returned to the employer.

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The disclosures related to the June 2001 amendments to the Japanese Welfare Pension Insurance Law.

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Related party disclosures about the amount of future annual benefits covered by insurance and annuity contracts and significant transactions between the employer or related parties and the plan.

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For nonpublic entities, the reconciliation of the opening balances to the closing balances of plan assets measured on a recurring basis in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. However, nonpublic entities will be required to disclose separately the amounts of transfers into and out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and purchases of Level 3 plan assets.

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For public entities, the effects of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates on the (a) aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit costs and (b) benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits.

Disclosure Requirements Added

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The weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and other plans with promised interest crediting rates

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An explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period.

The amendments also clarify the disclosure requirements in paragraph 715-20-50-3, which state that the following information for defined benefit pension plans should be disclosed:

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The projected benefit obligation (PBO) and fair value of plan assets for plans with PBOs in excess of plan assets.

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The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) and fair value of plan assets for plans with ABOs in excess of plan assets.

Effective Date

ASU No. 2018-14 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020, for public business entities and for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2021, for all other entities. Early adoption is permitted for all entities.

The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which reduces complexity for the accounting for costs of implementing a cloud computing service arrangement. This standard aligns the accounting for implementation costs of hosting arrangements, regardless of whether they convey a license to the hosted software.

The ASU aligns the following requirements for capitalizing implementation costs:

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Those incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract, and

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Those incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license).

For calendar-year public companies, the changes will be effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, in 2020. For all other calendar-year companies and organizations, the changes will be effective for annual periods in 2021, and interim periods in 2022.

The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities, that reduces the cost and complexity of financial reporting associated with consolidation of variable interest entities (VIEs). A VIE is an organization in which consolidation is not based on a majority of voting rights.

The new guidance supersedes the private company alternative for common control leasing arrangements issued in 2014 and expands it to all qualifying common control arrangements.

Under the new standard, a private company could make an accounting policy election to not apply VIE guidance to legal entities under common control (including common control leasing arrangements) when certain criteria are met. This accounting policy election must be applied by a private company to all current and future legal entities under common control that meet the criteria for applying the alternative. A private company will be required to continue to apply other consolidation guidance, specifically the voting interest entity guidance.

Additionally, a private company electing the alternative is required to provide detailed disclosures about its involvement with, and exposure to, the legal entity under common control.

The ASU also amends the guidance for determining whether a decision-making fee is a variable interest. The amendments require organizations to consider indirect interests held through related parties under common control on a proportional basis rather than as the equivalent of a direct interest in its entirety (as currently required in GAAP). Therefore, these amendments likely will result in more decision makers not consolidating VIEs.

For organizations other than private companies, the amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments in this ASU are effective for a private company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. Early adoption is permitted.

The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the Interaction Between Topic 808 and Topic 606, that clarifies the interaction between the guidance for certain collaborative arrangements and the Revenue Recognition financial accounting and reporting standard.

A collaborative arrangement is a contractual arrangement under which two or more parties actively participate in a joint operating activity and are exposed to significant risks and rewards that depend on the activity’s commercial success. The ASU provides guidance on how to assess whether certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for within the revenue recognition standard.

The ASU also provides more comparability in the presentation of revenue for certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants. It accomplishes this by allowing organizations to only present units of account in collaborative arrangements that are within the scope of the revenue recognition standard together with revenue accounted for under the revenue recognition standard. The parts of the collaborative arrangement that are not in the scope of the revenue recognition standard should be presented separately from revenue accounted for under the revenue recognition standard.

For public companies, the amendments in ASU No. 2018-18 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other organizations, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. Early adoption is permitted.