An asset retirement obligation (ARO) represents the legal commitment to remove certain improvements or modifications to an asset at the end of the asset’s use. The FASB’s ASC 410 Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations (ASC 410) discusses accounting for AROs. It is routine for lessees to have AROs associated with their real estate leases, through the addition of leasehold/tenant improvements.
Oftentimes with leases of commercial space the lessor will allow the lessee to customize or build out the space to suit their needs. However, the lease agreement will specify that the leased space will need to be returned to its original or some defined condition at the end of the lease term. Common examples of AROs on a real estate lease include when a company builds out leased office or retail space to meet their specific needs, through the addition of things such as:
- Custom lighting fixtures
- Floor finishes (i.e. carpet, tile, etc.)
- Partitions to separate offices or employees
- Other customizations or improvements specific to the company’s needs
In this article, we will walk through a specific example of an ARO on a real estate lease and how to record initially, as well as account for any changes. For an overview of accounting for AROs and a non-industry specific example, check out our article, “Asset Retirement Obligation (ARO) Accounting Example under ASC 410 and ASC 842“.
Accounting for AROs
Before applying ARO accounting, you need to determine whether or not your obligation is an ARO or a different type of obligation, such as an environmental liability. While they are similar in nature, to distinguish between an ARO and an environmental liability, a key factor is whether or not the effects to the property are a result of normal operation of the asset.
Once an ARO is identified, it is recorded as a liability, measured at the present value of the future total estimated cost, (including the inflation factor), of removal or clean up as of the date the initial obligation is incurred. For example, if it will cost a tenant an estimated $20,000 to remove tenant improvements made to a building in five years, the ARO is initially measured at the present value of $20,000 over 5 years, using an applicable discount rate.
After the initial measurement of the liability, accretion expense increases the balance of the ARO over time from its initial present value to the full cost at the future date of settlement. Accretion expense is recognized each period as an operating expense on the income statement with the offset recorded to the ARO liability.
In addition to the recognition of the associated liability, the costs of removal are capitalized as an asset, which is then depreciated over the life of the contract (or the useful life of the asset if it is shorter).
Sometimes, changes in estimates related to the ARO’s timing or expected settlement amount occur. These are recognized by increasing or decreasing the carrying value of the ARO liability and the related asset. We will cover some of these changes today.
It is important to look for indicators signaling a potential change in the assessment of the amount or timing of the lease liability. While no specific guidance regarding the timing in which an ARO should be reassessed exists, some specific events and circumstances suggest the amount or timing of the settlement has changed. For example, look for changes in:
- Projected use of the asset
- Economic factors, including labor costs or inflation
- Laws or regulations impacting the costs or timing of the settlement
Example: Accounting for an ARO using a real estate lease
In this example, we will walk through accounting for an ARO in Excel, as it relates to a tenant’s leasehold improvements on a rental property.
Cat’s Clothing is a national retailer that signs a commercial real estate lease for space to use as a store location. To customize the retail space to its needs, Cat’s Clothing constructs large merchandise displays to show off the newest seasonal styles. Cat’s Clothing installs the displays in January of 2021, and estimates the useful life of the displays to be 8 years. The agreement between Cat’s Clothing and the landlord requires Cat’s Clothing to return the building to its original condition, removing any leasehold improvements.
Below are the additional details related to the estimated settlement cost of the merchandise displays and applicable rates.
- In Service Date of Asset: January 2021
- Estimated Life of Asset: 8 Years
- Estimated Settlement Cost: $50,000
- Credit Adjusted Risk-Free Rate: 5%
- Inflation Factor: 1%
To calculate the ARO, start with the projected 1% inflation factor and apply it to the expected settlement cost of $50,000. Inflation is included in the future calculation because the cost of $50,000 is in today’s dollars, so apply a compounding future value formula to come up with a future cost of $54,143. Then, calculate the present value of the expected future lump sum payment using the 5% credit-adjusted risk free rate.
Using the present value calculator tool and the above set of assumptions, the present value of $54,143 over 8 years at the 5% rate is $36,646. This is the initial value of both the ARO liability and the associated asset.
The following entry is made at the time of recognition of the ARO liability:
After the initial measurement of the ARO liability, accretion expense is recognized on the ARO liability to increase the balance to the projected settlement amount over time. Accretion expense is calculated by multiplying the liability balance each period by the credit-adjusted risk free rate of 5% and then recorded as an increase to the ARO liability balance. At the end of the 5 years, the ARO liability has accreted to the balance of $54,143 we calculated earlier using the inflation rate. This is similar to how amortization is applied for a lease liability, with amortization expense depleting the liability balance to zero over time.
Additionally, the associated asset is recognized and subsequently depreciated over its useful life of 8 years with straight-line depreciation expense of $4,581 annually. The combined liability accretion schedule and asset depreciation schedule is below.
Changes in estimate of amount or timing of ARO liability
If the estimated timing or amount of expected cash flows associated with the retirement obligation change, the ARO liability is adjusted upward or downward, and the associated asset is adjusted by the same amount.
If the change causes an upward revision (increase) in the ARO liability, the credit-adjusted risk-free rate effective at the time of the change is used to measure the new estimate. Upward changes are added as a new “layer” to the existing ARO accretion schedule to allow for the separate interest rates and because the incremental cash flows are considered a new ARO.
If the change causes a downward revision (decrease) to the ARO liability, the original credit-adjusted risk-free rate used to measure the initial ARO liability is used. A new “layer” is not created on the initial ARO. Rather, the adjustment is made to the existing ARO liability.
Below, we will walk through an example of both an upward and a downward adjustment using our baseline set of facts and the ARO calculation above.
Increase in expected cost
Let’s assume the same facts noted in the above example for the ARO. However, at the beginning of the third year, a change in the cost of labor due to the economic environment causes a change in the estimated removal costs for the merchandise display. The new expected settlement cost is $60,000 which represents a $10,000 increase from the original $50,000 estimated cost. This adjustment represents an upward revision, and will require a new “layer” on the existing ARO liability.
Cat’s Clothing applies the credit-adjusted risk-free rate at the time of the change in cost estimate, which is now 6%.
In order to determine the value of the new ARO, calculate the present value of the $10,000 increase over the periods remaining until removal is required. The change occurred at the beginning of the third year (January 2023) so the additional estimate is discounted over the six years remaining using the current 6% credit-adjusted risk-free rate to arrive at its present value. The inflation factor remains at 1%. The calculated value of the increase is $7,939. This increase is added to the existing ARO as a new layer. In other words, the increase is added to the ARO balance but maintains a separate amortization table from the original ARO as a result of the new discount rate.
Below is the amortization schedule for both the original ARO (left) and the additional layer due to the increase in expected settlement costs (right).
To recognize the upward adjustment to the ARO as well as the accretion and depreciation on the original ARO, Cat’s Clothing makes the following entry at the end of the third year:
This entry is a combined entry for year three. It records both the addition to the initial ARO liability, and also recognizes the accretion and depreciation expense on both the original ARO and the new ARO throughout the year.
Reduction in expected cost
Again, let’s assume the same facts noted in the original example for the ARO. However, instead of an increase in estimate, at the beginning of the third year, a change in the cost of labor due to the economic environment causes a reduction in the estimated retirement costs for the merchandise display. The new expected settlement cost for the display at the end of its useful life is $40,000 which represents a $10,000 decrease from the original $50,000 estimated cost.
This reduction is a downward adjustment, and the existing ARO liability and asset must be adjusted to represent the reduction in expected costs. Cat’s Clothing applies the original credit-adjusted risk-free rate applicable at the time of the initial ARO measurement in this calculation, which was 5%.
The present value of the $10,000 reduction using the original 5% rate, over the remaining six years is $7,921. To record the reduction of the ARO settlement cost, the carrying value of the ARO before the change in estimate is reduced by $7,921. At the time of reduction to the ARO liability, a reduction of the same amount is also made to the asset. The new asset value is depreciated based on the remaining useful life, six years.
The amortization schedule below now shows both the pre-adjustment balance, and the reduced balance of both the ARO liability and the asset.
To adjust the ARO liability and asset and to recognize the activity on both throughout the year, Cat’s Clothing makes the following entry:
Change in expected settlement date: Extension
Instead of a change in the expected settlement cost, assume the future settlement date changes. Using the same facts in our original ARO, let’s assume at the beginning of year three, the settlement date was extended by one year from December 31, 2028 to December 31, 2029.
The guidance within ASC 410 does not specifically address which discount rate to use if only the expected settlement date is changed. For purposes of our example, we will use the rate applicable at the time of the change in the expected settlement date which is 6%, and no change in the inflation rate.
To recognize the extension of the expected settlement date, calculate the present value of the original settlement cost of $50,000, plus the inflation rate of 1%, over the updated remaining term of seven years (6 years remaining + 1 year extension) using the updated 6% rate. This gives us a present value of $35,652, which is a reduction of $4,751 from the carrying value of the original ARO liability at the end of year two of $40,402.
It is important to note here that just because this example leads to a reduction in the carrying value of the ARO liability, this is not always the case for an extension of the settlement date. The impact to the ARO liability is heavily dependent on the discount rate and inflation rate used at the time of the valuation.
Because the extension caused a reduction of the ARO liability, a new layer is not created. Instead the original ARO liability is adjusted. The reduction to both the ARO liability and the asset and the extension of the settlement date is shown below:
To adjust the ARO liability and asset and to recognize the activity on both throughout year three, Cat’s Clothing makes the following entry:
Change in expected settlement date: Reduction
For our final example, let’s assume the estimated settlement date is shortened by one year, from December 31, 2028 to December 31, 2027. We will assume this still occurs at the beginning of year three (January 2023).
As previously discussed, no specific guidance is available on which discount rate to use when the expected settlement date is the only change. However, whichever approach you use should be applied consistently. Therefore, for this example, we will continue to use the 6% rate applicable at the time the change occurs.
To recognize the reduction in expected settlement date, calculate the present value of the original settlement cost of $50,000 plus the inflation rate of 1%, over the updated remaining term of five years (6 years remaining – 1 year reduction).
The present value is $39,269, which causes a reduction of $1,133 in the carrying value of the ARO liability. Because the reduction in term caused a reduction of the ARO liability, a new layer is not created. Instead the original ARO liability is adjusted. The reduction to the ARO liability, the asset, and the settlement date is shown below:
To adjust the ARO liability and asset and to recognize the activity on both throughout year three, Cat’s Clothing makes the following entry:
Summary
When leasing real estate space, it is common for AROs to be part of the lease agreement. Understanding how to account for a variety of ARO scenarios properly is imperative. In this article, we walked through examples of how to account for the initial ARO measurement and adjustments required for changes in estimates related to timing or the expected settlement amount. These calculations are complex to manage and track within Excel. Because it can require many schedules to maintain the calculations, errors may be unavoidable.
