Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our subsidiaries, which are wholly-owned or controlled by us. Entities which we do not control through our voting interest and entities which are variable interest entities, but where we are not the primary beneficiary, are accounted for under the equity method. See Note 5, "Debt and Preferred Equity Investments" and Note 6, "Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures." All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

We consolidate a variable interest entity, or VIE, in which we are considered the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE. Included in commercial real estate properties on our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are $2.1 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively, related to our consolidated VIEs, excluding the Operating Partnership. Included in mortgages and other loans payable on our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are $701.3 million and $621.8 million, respectively, related to our consolidated VIEs, excluding the Operating Partnership. As of March 31, 2017, assets held for sale and liabilities held for sale on the consolidated balance sheets did not include amounts related to consolidated VIEs.

Investment in Commercial Real Estate Properties

On a periodic basis, we assess whether there are any indications that the value of our real estate properties may be other than temporarily impaired or that their carrying value may not be recoverable. A property's value is considered impaired if management's estimate of the aggregate future cash flows (undiscounted) to be generated by the property is less than the carrying value of the property. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss will be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the property over the calculated fair value of the property. We also evaluate our real estate properties for potential impairment when a real estate property has been classified as held for sale. Real estate assets held for sale are valued at the lower of either their carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. We do not believe that there were any indicators of impairment at any of our consolidated properties at March 31, 2017 except for 520 White Plains Road in Tarrytown, NY, and 680/750 Washington Boulevard in Stamford, Connecticut, for which we recorded a $56.3 million depreciable real estate reserve during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

We allocate the purchase price of real estate to land and building (inclusive of tenant improvements) and, if determined to be material, intangibles, such as the value of above- and below-market leases and origination costs associated with the in-place leases. We depreciate the amount allocated to building (inclusive of tenant improvements) over their estimated useful lives, which generally range from three to 40 years. We amortize the amount allocated to the above- and below-market leases over the remaining term of the associated lease, which generally range from one to 14 years, and record it as either an increase (in the case of below-market leases) or a decrease (in the case of above-market leases) to rental income. We amortize the amount allocated to the values associated with in-place leases over the expected term of the associated lease, which generally ranges from one to 14 years. If a tenant vacates its space prior to the contractual termination of the lease and no rental payments are being made on the lease, any unamortized balance of the related intangible will be written off. The tenant improvements and origination costs are amortized as an expense over the remaining life of the lease (or charged against earnings if the lease is terminated prior to its contractual expiration date). We assess fair value of the leases based on estimated cash flow projections that utilize appropriate discount and capitalization rates and available market information. Estimates of future cash flows are based on a number of factors including the historical operating results, known trends, and market/economic conditions that may affect the property. To the extent acquired leases contain fixed rate renewal options that are below-market and determined to be material, we amortize such below-market lease value into rental income over the renewal period.

We recognized $4.8 million and $34.8 million of rental revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 respectively, for the amortization of aggregate below-market leases in excess of above-market leases and a reduction in lease origination costs, resulting from the allocation of the purchase price of the applicable properties. Included in rental revenue is $22.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 for the amortization of the below-market lease at 388-390 Greenwich Street as a result of the tenant exercising their option to purchase the property and entering into an agreement to accelerate the sale. We recognized as a reduction to interest expense the amortization of the above-market rate mortgages assumed of $0.7 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The following summarizes our identified intangible assets (acquired above-market leases and in-place leases) and intangible liabilities (acquired below-market leases) as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):



	March 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Identified intangible assets (included in other assets):
Gross amount	$	648,947		$	651,099
Accumulated amortization	(416,805		)	(410,930		)
Net⁽¹⁾	$	232,142		$	240,169
Identified intangible liabilities (included in deferred revenue):
Gross amount	$	653,011		$	655,930
Accumulated amortization	(470,175		)	(464,749		)
Net⁽¹⁾	$	182,836		$	191,181


(1)	As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, $0.1 million and none, respectively and $0.1 million and none, respectively, of net intangible assets and net intangible liabilities, were reclassified to assets held for sale and liabilities related to assets held for sale.

In February 2016, we closed on the sale of 885 Third Avenue but did not meet the criteria for sale accounting under the full accrual method in ASC 360-20, Property, Plant and Equipment - Real Estate Sales. As a result the property remains on our consolidated balance sheet until the criteria is met. In April 2017, the mortgage was refinanced by the buyer which will result in the Company deconsolidating the property from its financial statements in the second quarter of 2017.

Fair Value Measurements

See Note 16, "Fair Value Measurements."

Investment in Marketable Securities

We designate a security as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading at acquisition. As of March 31, 2017, we did not have any securities designated as held-to-maturity or trading. We account for our available-for-sale securities at fair value pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 820-10, with the net unrealized gains or losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Any unrealized losses that are determined to be other-than-temporary are recognized in earnings up to their credit component.

The cost of bonds and marketable securities sold is determined using the specific identification method.

At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we held the following marketable securities (in thousands):



	March 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
Equity marketable securities	$	—	$	48,315
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	29,260		36,795
Total marketable securities available-for-sale	$	29,260	$	85,110

The cost basis of the commercial mortgage-backed securities was $28.3 million and $36.0 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. These securities mature at various times through 2049. The cost basis of the equity marketable securities was $0.0 million and $43.3 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we disposed of marketable securities for aggregate net proceeds of $54.4 million and realized gain of $3.3 million, which is included in gain on sale of investment in marketable securities on the consolidated statements of operations. We did not sell any of our marketable securities during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

We assess our investments in unconsolidated joint ventures for recoverability, and if it is determined that a loss in value of the investment is other than temporary, we write down the investment to its fair value. We evaluate our equity investments for impairment based on the joint ventures' projected discounted cash flows. We do not believe that the values of any of our equity investments were impaired at March 31, 2017.

Reserve for Possible Credit Losses

The expense for possible credit losses in connection with debt and preferred equity investments is the charge to earnings to increase the allowance for possible credit losses to the level that we estimate to be adequate, based on Level 3 data, considering delinquencies, loss experience and collateral quality. Other factors considered include geographic trends, product diversification, the size of the portfolio and current economic conditions. Based upon these factors, we establish a provision for possible credit loss on each individual investment. When it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts contractually due, the investment is considered impaired.

Where impairment is indicated on an investment that is held to maturity, a valuation allowance is measured based upon the excess of the recorded investment amount over the net fair value of the collateral. Any deficiency between the carrying amount of an asset and the calculated value of the collateral is charged to expense. We continue to assess or adjust our estimates based on circumstances of a loan and the underlying collateral. If additional information reflects increased recovery of our investment, we will adjust our reserves accordingly. There were no loan reserves recorded during three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

Income Taxes

SL Green is taxed as a REIT under Section 856(c) of the Code. As a REIT, SL Green generally is not subject to Federal income tax. To maintain its qualification as a REIT, SL Green must distribute at least 90% of its REIT taxable income to its stockholders and meet certain other requirements. If SL Green fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, SL Green will be subject to Federal income tax on SL Green's taxable income at regular corporate rates. SL Green may also be subject to certain state, local and franchise taxes. Under certain circumstances, Federal income and excise taxes may be due on SL Green's undistributed taxable income.

The Operating Partnership is a partnership and, as a result, all income and losses of the partnership are allocated to the partners for inclusion in their respective income tax returns. The only provision for income taxes included in the consolidated statements of operations relates to the Operating Partnership’s consolidated taxable REIT subsidiaries. The Operating Partnership may also be subject to certain state, local and franchise taxes.

Pursuant to amendments to the Code that became effective January 1, 2001, we have elected, and may elect in the future, to treat certain of our existing or newly created corporate subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs. In general, TRSs may perform non-customary services for the tenants of the Company, hold assets that we cannot hold directly and generally may engage in any real estate or non-real estate related business. The TRSs generate income, resulting in Federal and state income tax liability for these entities.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we recorded Federal, state and local tax provisions of $0.6 million.

We follow a two-step approach for evaluating uncertain tax positions. Recognition (step one) occurs when an enterprise concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination. Measurement (step two) determines the amount of benefit that is more-likely-than-not to be realized upon settlement. Derecognition of a tax position that was previously recognized would occur when a company subsequently determines that a tax position no longer meets the more-likely-than-not threshold of being sustained. The use of a valuation allowance as a substitute for derecognition of tax positions is prohibited.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of 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 financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash investments, debt and preferred equity investments and accounts receivable. We place our cash investments in excess of insured amounts with high quality financial institutions. The collateral securing our debt and preferred equity investments is located in New York City. See Note 5, "Debt and Preferred Equity Investments." We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our tenants and require most tenants to provide security deposits or letters of credit. Though these security deposits and letters of credit are insufficient to meet the total value of a tenant's lease obligation, they are a measure of good faith and a source of funds to offset the economic costs associated with lost revenue and the costs associated with re-tenanting a space. The properties in our real estate portfolio are primarily located in Manhattan. We also have properties located in Brooklyn, Long Island, Westchester County, Connecticut and New Jersey. The tenants located in our buildings operate in various industries. Other than two tenants, who account for 8.1% and 6.7% of our share of annualized cash rent, no other tenant in our portfolio accounted for more than 5.0% of our share of annualized cash rent, including our share of joint venture annualized rent, at March 31, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, 8.1%, 6.3%, 5.5%, 5.4%, and 5.1% of our share of cash rent, including our share of joint venture annualized rent was attributable to 1515 Broadway, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, 11 Madison Avenue, 420 Lexington Avenue, and One Madison Avenue, respectively. Our share of annualized cash rent for all other properties was below 5.0%.

Reclassification

Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to our current year presentation.

Accounting Standards Updates

In February 2017, the FASB issued guidance to clarify the scope of Subtopic 610-20 as well as provide guidance on accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. Subtopic 610-20 was issued in May 2014 as part of ASU 2014-09. The Company anticipates adopting this guidance January 1, 2018, and applying the cumulative-effect adoption method. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January, 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business The guidance clarifies the definition of a business and provides guidance to assist with determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. The main provision is that an acquiree is not a business if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of assets. The Company adopted the guidance on the issuance date effective January 5, 2017. The Company expects that most of our real estate acquisitions will be considered asset acquisitions under the new guidance and that transaction costs will be capitalized to the investment basis which is then subject to a purchase price allocation based on relative fair value.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The guidance will require entities to show the changes on the total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. As a result, entities will not longer present transfers between these items on the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet adopted this new guidance and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The ASU provides final guidance on eight cash flow issues, including debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, distributions received from equity method investees, separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle, and others. The amendments in the ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2017 and there was no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The guidance changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The guidance replaces the current ‘incurred loss’ model with an ‘expected loss’ approach. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted after December 2018. The Company has not yet adopted this new guidance and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The guidance simplifies the accounting for share-based payment award transactions including: income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2017 and there was no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, Investments Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323). The guidance eliminates the requirement that an entity retroactively adopt the equity method of accounting if an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership or degree of influence. The amendments require that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2017 and there was no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. The guidance requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases under the previous standard. Depending on the lease classification, lessees will recognize expense based on the effective interest method for finance leases or on a straight-line basis for operating leases. The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under the previous standard. One of the impacts on the Company will be the presentation and disclosure in the financial statements of non-lease components such as charges to tenants for a building’s operating expenses. The non-lease components will be presented separately from the lease components in both the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheets. Another impact is the measurement and presentation of ground leases under which the Company is lessee. The Company is required to record a liability for the obligation to make payments under the lease and an asset for the right to use the underlying asset during the lease term and will also apply the new expense recognition requirements given the lease classification. The Company is currently quantifying these impacts. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company anticipates adopting this guidance January 1, 2019 and will apply the modified retrospective approach.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 (ASU 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The guidance requires entities to measure equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method at fair value and to record changes in instruments-specific credit risk for financial liabilities measured under the fair value option in other comprehensive income. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and for interim periods therein. The Company has not yet adopted this new guidance and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new comprehensive revenue recognition guidance which requires us to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services (ASU 2014-09). The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized.

In March 2016, the FASB issued implementation guidance which clarifies principal versus agent considerations in reporting revenue gross versus net (ASU 2016-08).

In April 2016, the FASB issued implementation guidance which clarifies the identification of performance obligations (ASU 2016-10).

In April 2016, the FASB amended its new revenue recognition guidance on identifying performance obligations to allow entities to disregard items that are immaterial and clarify when a good or service is separately identifiable (ASU 2016-10).

In May 2016, the FASB issued implementation guidance relating to transition, collectability, noncash consideration and presentation matters (ASU 2016-12).

These ASUs are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted but not before interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The new guidance can be applied either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company anticipates adopting this guidance January 1, 2018, and applying the cumulative-effect adoption method. Since the Company’s revenue is related to leasing activities, the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.