Accounting Records and Use of Estimates (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Accounting Records and Use of Estimates

Accounting Records and Use of Estimates:

The accounting records are maintained in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The estimates that we make include allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation, income tax assets and liabilities, fair value of marketable securities and revenue recognition. Estimates are based on historical experience where applicable or other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The interim financial statements are prepared pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q. The July 31, 2019 condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The interim financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company's latest Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2019. In the opinion of management, the interim financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the results for interim periods. The results of operations for the current period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year ending July 31, 2020.

The computation of the annual expected effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year and future periods, projections of the proportion of income (or loss), and permanent and temporary differences. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, more experience is acquired, or as additional information is obtained. To the extent the estimated annual effective tax rate changes during a quarter, the effect of the change on prior quarters is included in tax expense for the current quarter.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method and the declining-balance method. Amortization of improvements to leased property is calculated over the life of the lease. Lives used to determine depreciation and amortization are generally as follows:

Buildings and improvements	18-40 years
Improvements to leased property	3-10 years
Fixtures and equipment	7-12 years
Other	3-5 years

Maintenance, repairs, renewals and improvements of a non-permanent nature are charged to expense when incurred. Expenditures for additions and major renewals or improvements are capitalized along with the associated interest cost during construction. The cost of assets sold or retired, and the accumulated depreciation or amortization thereon are eliminated from the respective accounts in the year of disposal, and the resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income. Capitalized interest is recorded as part of the asset to which it relates and is amortized over the asset’s estimated useful life.

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever circumstances and situations change such that there is an indication that the carrying amounts may not be recovered. At July 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no impairments of its property and equipment.

Deferred Charges

Deferred Charges

Deferred charges consist principally of costs incurred in connection with the leasing of property to tenants. Such costs are amortized over the related lease periods, ranging from 1 to 21 years, using the straight-line method. If a lease is terminated early, such costs are expensed.

Leases - Lessor Revenue

Leases - Lessor Revenue

Property held for leasing in the Company’s real estate rental operations is disclosed in Note 5. Rent is recognized from tenants under executed leases no later than on an established date or on an earlier date if the tenant should commence conducting business. Unbilled receivables represent the excess of scheduled rental income recognized on a straight-line basis over rental income as it becomes receivable according to the provisions of the lease. Contingent rental income is recorded when earned and is not based on tenant revenue. The effect of lease modifications that result in rent relief or other credits to tenants, including any retroactive effects relating to prior periods, is recognized in the period when the lease modification is signed. At the time of the lease modification, we assess the realizability of any accrued but unpaid rent and amounts that had been recognized as revenue in prior periods. lf the amounts are not determined to be realizable, the accrued but unpaid rent is written off. Accounts receivable are recognized in accordance with lease agreements at its net realizable value. Rental payments received in advance are deferred until earned.

Based upon its periodic assessment of the quality of the receivables, management uses its historical knowledge of the tenants and industry experience to determine whether a reserve or write-off is required. Management has determined that no allowance for uncollected receivables is considered necessary. The Company uses specific identification to write-off receivables to bad debt expense in the period when issues of collectability become known. Collectability issues include circumstances when a tenant indicates their intention to vacate the property without paying, or when tenant litigation or bankruptcy proceedings are not expected to result in full payment. Due to the surrender of a portion of a tenant’s space, the Company reported a bad debt expense of $118,238 for the year ended July 31, 2019. Bad debt expense was $40,292 for the three months ended October 31, 2019 as a result of an early lease termination.

Leases - Lessee

Leases - Lessee

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. With the adoption of ASC 842, operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets, current portion of operating lease liabilities, and long-term operating lease liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet.

Operating lease right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make payments arising from the lease. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Taxes

Taxes

The computation of the annual expected effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year and future periods, projections of the proportion of income (or loss), and permanent and temporary differences. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, more experience is acquired, or as additional information is obtained. To the extent the estimated annual effective tax rate changes during a quarter, the effect of the change on prior quarters is included in tax expense for the current quarter.

The Company has a federal net operating loss carryforward approximating $4,002,346 as of July 31, 2019 available to offset future taxable income. As of July 31, 2019, the Company had unused state and city net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $10,170,071 for state and $8,274,000 for city, available to offset future state and city taxable income. The net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire, if not used, in 2035.

New York State and New York City taxes are calculated using the higher of taxes based on income or the respective capital-based franchise taxes. Beginning with the Company’s tax year ended July 31, 2016, changes in the law required the state capital-based tax will be phased out over a 7-year period. New York City taxes will be based on capital for the foreseeable future. Capital-based franchise taxes are recorded to administrative and general expense. State tax amounts in excess of the capital-based franchise taxes are recorded to income tax expense. Due to both the application of the capital-based tax and due to the possible absence of city taxable income, the Company does not record city deferred taxes.

Reclassification

Reclassification:

The condensed consolidated financial statements for prior years reflect certain reclassifications to conform with classifications adopted in the three months ended October 31, 2019. These reclassifications have no effect on net income or loss as previously reported.

Recently adopted accounting standards

Recently adopted accounting standards:

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01 "Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." ASU 2016-01 amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments, including the requirement to measure certain equity investments at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. ASU No. 2016-01 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this standard effective August 1, 2018 and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to increase opening retained earnings at August 1, 2018 by $487,136 as required for equity investments recorded at fair value, formerly available-for-sale securities.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Restricted Cash”. ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents will be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period balances on the statement of cash flows upon adoption of this standard. ASU 2016-18 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We adopted this standard effective August 1, 2018 with retrospective application to our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases.” ASU 2016-02 is intended to increase transparency and comparability among organizations in accounting for leasing arrangements. This guidance establishes a right-of-use model that requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than twelve months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842”, which provides amendments and clarification to ASU 2016-12 based on the FASB’s interaction with stakeholders. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11 “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements”, which amends Leases (Topic 842) to (i) add an optional transition method that would permit entities to apply the new requirements by recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the year of adoption, and (ii) provide a practical expedient for lessors regarding the separation of the lease and non-lease components of a contract. In December 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-20, “Leases (Topic 842) Narrow-Scope Improvement for Lessors,” which clarifies how to apply the leases standard when accounting for sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from lessees, certain lessor costs, and recognition of variable payments for contracts with lease and non-lease components. In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-01, “Leases (Topic 842) Codification Improvements”, which provides amendments for issues brought to the Board’s attention through its interactions with stakeholders. The issues identified are as follows. 1. Determining the fair value of the underlying asset by lessors that are not manufacturers or dealers, 2. Presentation on the statement of cash flows-sales-type and direct financing leases, 3. Transition disclosures related to Topic 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections. These standards are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.

The new standards were adopted by the Company for the fiscal year beginning August 1, 2019. Upon adoption of Topic 842, the Company elected the following practical expedients:

1.

The Company applied the optional transition method of recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the initial period of adoption. Upon adoption on August 1, 2019, the Company did not have an adjustment to opening retained earnings. In transitioning to ASC 842, the Company elected to use the practical expedient package and did not elect to use hindsight.

2.

As lessee and lessor, the Company has elected not to reassess lease classifications and all leases will continue to be classified as operating leases under the new standard.

As a result of the adoption of the new lease accounting guidance, the Company recognized on August 1, 2019:

●Operating lease right-of-use assets of $27.1 million.
 

●Operating leases liabilities of approximately $17.9 million, based on the net present value of remaining minimum rental payments, discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate of 3.88%.
 

●The initial recording of operating lease right-of-use assets of $27.1 million includes adjustments of approximately $10.2 million primarily relating to building and improvements, net of accumulated depreciation, required pursuant to a ground lease with an affiliate, principally owned by a director of the Company (“landlord”). Upon lease termination in 2029, the building and all improvements are turned over to the landlord as property owner.
 

●The initial operating lease liability of $17.9 million includes an adjustment of remaining accrued rent of approximately $.95 million.
 

The Company’s lessor accounting remains similar under Topic 842 but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model and the new revenue recognition standard (ASU 2014-09). Upon adoption of the lease standards on August 1, 2019, changes in accounting for the Company’s lease revenue as lessor were not significant.