Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2022

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Organization

J.W. Mays, Inc. (the “Company” or “Registrant”) with executive offices at 9 Bond Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201, operates a number of commercial real estate properties in New York and one building in Ohio. The Company’s business was founded in 1924 and incorporated under the laws of the State of New York on July 6, 1927.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, a New York corporation and its subsidiaries (J. W. M. Realty Corp. and Dutchess Mall Sewage Plant, Inc.), which are wholly-owned. Material intercompany items have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Our Results and Operations

Beginning March 2020 and continuing through July 2022, we experienced an increase in late payments due to the impact of COVID-19 and the related reductions in economic activity from ongoing government mandated business regulations. The effects of COVID-19 on our tenants have been reflected in our allowance for credit losses for accounts receivable. In limited circumstances, we have agreed to rent deferrals for certain tenants. We also continue to experience volatility in the valuation of our equity investments through July 31, 2022.

Looking ahead, the full impact of COVID-19 and continuing government regulation on our business is unknown and highly unpredictable. Our past results may not be indicative of our future performance and historical trends in revenues, income from operations, net income, earnings per share, cash provided by operating activities, among others, may differ materially. For example, to the extent the post pandemic effects continue to disrupt economic activity nationally and in New York, NY, like other businesses, it could adversely affect our business operations and financial results through prolonged decreases in revenue, credit deterioration of our tenants, depressed economic activity, or declines in capital markets. In addition, many of our expenses are less variable in nature and may not correlate to changes in revenues. The extent of the impact will depend on a number of factors, including the duration and severity of the pandemic; distribution of vaccines; and the macroeconomic impact of government measures to contain the spread of the virus and related government regulations.

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, incremental borrowing rates and recognition of renewal options for operating lease right-of-use 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, impairment analysis of long-lived assets, 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.

As of July 31, 2022, the impact of COVID-19 continues to evolve. As a result, many of our estimates and assumptions required increased judgment and carry a higher degree of variability and volatility. As additional information becomes available, our estimates may change materially in future periods.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash primarily consists of cash held in bank accounts for tenant security deposits and other amounts required under certain loan agreements.

Marketable Securities

The Company’s marketable securities consist of investments in equity securities. Dividends and interest income are accrued as earned. Realized gains and losses are determined on a specific identification basis. The Company reviews marketable securities for impairment whenever circumstances and situations change such that there is an indication that the carrying amounts may not be recovered. The changes in the fair value of these securities are recognized in current period earnings in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 825.

The Company follows GAAP which establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the valuation techniques and creates the following three broad levels, with Level 1 valuation being the highest priority:

Level 1 valuation inputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date (e.g., equity securities traded on the New York Stock Exchange).

Level 2 valuation inputs are from other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly (e.g., quoted market prices of similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or quoted market prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active).

Level 3 valuation inputs are unobservable (e.g., an entity’s own data) and should be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available.

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There have been no changes in the methodologies used at July 31, 2022 and 2021.

Equity securities are valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded that the Company has access to.

Mutual funds are valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. Mutual funds held by the Company are open-end mutual funds that are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value (“NAV”) and to transact at that price. The mutual funds held by the Company are deemed to be actively traded.

In accordance with the provisions of Fair Value Measurements, the following are the Company’s financial assets measured on a recurring basis presented at fair value.

	Fair value measurements at reporting date
Description	July 31, 2022		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		July 31, 2021		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Marketable securities	$	2,761,069	$	2,761,069	$	–	$	–	$	3,901,093	$	3,901,093	$	–	$	–

Accounts Receivable

Generally, rent is due from tenants at the beginning of the month in accordance with terms of each lease. 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. The Company uses specific identification to write-off receivables to bad debt expense in the period when issues of collectibility become known. Collectibility issues include late rent payments, 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. Management also assesses collectibility by reviewing accounts receivable on an aggregate basis where similar characteristics exist. In determining the amount of the allowance for credit losses, the Company considers past due status and a tenant’s payment history. We also consider current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions. Our assessment considers business and market disruptions caused by COVID-19. The continued volatility in market conditions and evolving shifts in credit trends are difficult to predict causing variability and volatility that may have a material impact on our allowance for uncollectible accounts receivables in future periods.

Primarily because of the ongoing effects of COVID-19, the Company recorded an allowance for uncollectible receivables as of July 31, 2022 and 2021 in the amount of $393,000 and $318,000, respectively, as an offset to receivables.

Activity in the allowance for uncollectible receivables for each period follows:

	Allowance for
	Uncollectible
	Accounts Receivable				Bad Debt Expense
	Period Ended July 31				Period Ended July 31
	2022		2021		2022		2021
Beginning balance	$	318,000	$	82,000	$	–	$	–
Charge-offs		–		–		277,920		–
Reserve adjustments		75,000		236,000		75,000		236,000
Ending Balance	$	393,000	$	318,000	$	352,920	$	236,000

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.

Impairment

The Company reviews property and equipment and related lease intangibles for possible impairment when certain events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable though operations plus estimated disposition proceeds. Events or changes in circumstances that may occur include, but are not limited to, significant changes in real estate market conditions, estimated residual values, and an expectation to sell assets before the end of the previously estimated life. Impairments are measured to the extent the current book value exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset less disposition costs for any assets classified as held for sale. As of July 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company has determined there was no impairment of its property and equipment.

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 4 to 21 years, using the straight-line method. If a lease is terminated early, such costs are expensed.

Leases – Lessor Revenue

The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09 (Topic 606) Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Rental income 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 are included in accounts receivable and 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. The effect of lease modifications that result in rent relief or other credits to tenants, including any retroactive effects relating to prior periods, are 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. As lessor, we have elected to combine the lease components (base rent), non-lease components (reimbursements of common area maintenance expenses) and reimbursements of real estate taxes and account for the components as a single lease component in accordance with ASC 842. If 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.

In April 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a Staff Q&A on accounting for leases during the COVID-19 pandemic, focused on the application of lease guidance in ASC Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”). The Q&A states that it would be acceptable to make a policy election regarding rent concessions resulting from COVID-19, which would not require entities to account for these rent concessions as lease modifications under certain conditions. Entities making the election will continue to recognize rental revenue on a straight-line basis for qualifying concessions. Rent deferrals would result in an increase to accounts receivable during the deferral period with no impact on rental revenue recognition. The Company elected this policy during the year ended July 31, 2020. Rent deferrals included in receivables were $250,000 and $245,000 as of July 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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 and 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

Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets result principally from the recording of certain accruals, reserves and net operating loss carry forwards which currently are not deductible for tax purposes. Deferred tax liabilities result principally from temporary differences in the recognition of unrealized gains and losses from certain investments and from the use, for tax purposes, of accelerated depreciation. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset for each jurisdiction and are presented net on the balance sheet.

The effect on deferred income taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates due to future changes in income tax law or results from the final review of tax returns by federal, state or city tax authorities. Financial statement effects on tax positions are recognized in the period in which it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, the position is effectively settled or when the statute of limitations to challenge the position has expired. Interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as interest expense and administrative and general expenses, respectively.

Income Per Share of Common Stock

Income per share has been computed by dividing net income for the year by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year, adjusted for the purchase of treasury stock. Shares used in computing income per share were 2,015,780 in fiscal years 2022 and 2021.