Basis of Preparation

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Preparation

Basis of Preparation

The accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2016, and for the three and nine months ended June 30,2016 and 2015, reflect all normal recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such interim periods. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30,2016 and 2015, are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. The consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2015, has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") for complete financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of BRT Realty Trust, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and its majority owned or controlled real estate entities and its interests in variable interest entities ("VIE's") in which the Trust is determined to be the primary beneficiary. Material inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The Trust’s consolidated joint ventures that own multi‑family properties, were determined to be VIE’s because the voting rights of some equity investors are not proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity and their right to receive the expected residual returns. In addition, substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately fewer voting rights. It was determined that the Trust is the primary beneficiary of these joint ventures because it has a controlling interest in that it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and it has the obligation to absorb losses of the entity and the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

The joint venture that owns the Dallas, TX property was determined not to be a VIE but is consolidated because the Trust has a controlling financial interest in the entity due to its substantive participating rights.

The distributions to each joint venture partner are determined pursuant to the applicable operating agreement and may not be pro-rata to the percentage equity interest each partner has in the applicable venture.     

Certain items on the consolidated financial statements for the prior fiscal periods have been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation, including the reclassification of (i) balance sheet and revenue and expense items related to the Newark Joint Venture, which are now reported as discontinued operations and (ii) reclassification of real estate properties and mortgages to held for sale.

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which requires all excess tax benefits or deficiencies to be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. In addition, excess tax benefits should be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows. Application of the standard is required for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Trust is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-03 Interest - Imputation of Interest, which amends the balance sheet presentation for debt issuance costs. Under the amended guidance, a company will present unamortized debt issuance costs as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. The guidance is to be applied on a retrospective basis, and is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption being permitted. The Trust is evaluating the impact the adoption of the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which amends the current consolidation guidance, including introducing a separate consolidation analysis specific to limited partnerships and other similar entities. Under this analysis, limited partnerships and other similar entities will be considered a VIE unless the limited partners hold substantive kick-out rights or participating rights. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Trust has not elected early adoption and is evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.