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 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.

Investment in Commercial Real Estate Properties

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.

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 impairment when a property has been classified as held for sale. Real estate assets held for sale are valued at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less costs to sell.

We recognized $1.3 million and $5.5 million of rental revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and $4.6 million and $15.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, 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. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 we recognized as a reduction to interest expense the amortization of above-market rate mortgages of $0.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 we recognized as a reduction to interest expense the amortization of above-market rate mortgages of $0.0 million and $0.8 million, 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 September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):



	September 30, 2018			December 31, 2017
Identified intangible assets (included in other assets):
Gross amount	$	261,216		$	325,880
Accumulated amortization	(239,479		)	(277,038		)
Net⁽¹⁾	$	21,737		$	48,842
Identified intangible liabilities (included in deferred revenue):
Gross amount	$	274,120		$	540,283
Accumulated amortization	(251,895		)	(402,583		)
Net⁽¹⁾	$	22,225		$	137,700


(1)	As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, $0.2 million and $13.9 million, respectively, and $0.0 million and $4.1 million, respectively, of net intangible assets and net intangible liabilities, were reclassified to assets held for sale and liabilities related to assets held for sale.

Fair Value Measurements

See Note 16, "Fair Value Measurements."

Investment in Marketable Securities

At acquisition, we designate a debt security as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. As of September 30, 2018, we did not have any debt securities designated as held-to-maturity or trading. We account for our available-for-sale debt 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 Company adopted ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018 which required entities to measure investments in equity securities at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income. Upon adoption we did not hold investments in equity securities and therefore did not record a cumulative-effect adjustment. We did not hold investments in equity securities as of September 30, 2018.

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

At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we held the following marketable securities (in thousands):



	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	$	28,538	$	28,579
Total marketable securities available-for-sale	$	28,538	$	28,579

The cost basis of the commercial mortgage-backed securities was $27.5 million at both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. These securities mature at various times through 2035. We held no equity marketable securities as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we did not dispose of any marketable securities. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, we disposed of marketable securities for aggregate net proceeds of $0.8 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we disposed of marketable securities for aggregate net proceeds of $55.2 million and realized a gain of $3.3 million, which is included in gain on sale of investment in marketable securities on the consolidated statements of operations.

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 September 30, 2018.

Reserve for Possible Credit Losses

The reserve 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 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. We recorded loan losses of $1.1 million and $1.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, related to the repayment of an investment pursuant to the sale of a property. No loan losses were recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

Debt and preferred equity investments held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair market value using available market information obtained through consultation with dealers or other originators of such investments as well as discounted cash flow models based on Level 3 data pursuant to ASC 820-10. As circumstances change, management may conclude not to sell an investment designated as held for sale. In such situations, the investment will be reclassified at its net carrying value to debt and preferred equity investments held to maturity. For these reclassified investments, the difference between the current carrying value and the expected cash to be collected at maturity will be accreted into income over the remaining term of the investment.

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 its 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 its 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded Federal, state and local tax provisions of $0.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

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.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the ‘‘Tax Act’’) was signed into law and makes substantial changes to the Code. Many of the provisions of the Tax Act will require guidance through the issuance of Treasury regulations in order to assess their effect. The Tax Act has not had a material impact on our financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

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 with high quality financial institutions. The collateral securing our debt and preferred equity investments is located in the New York metropolitan area. 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 located in the New York metropolitan area. The tenants located in our buildings operate in various industries. Other than one tenant, Credit Suisse Securities (USA), Inc., who accounts for 8.1% 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 September 30, 2018. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, 7.2%, 6.4%, 6.2%, 5.8% and 5.6% of our annualized cash rent was attributable to 11 Madison Avenue, 420 Lexington Avenue, 1185 Avenue of the Americas, 1515 Broadway, and One Madison Avenue, respectively. Annualized cash rent for each of our other consolidated properties was below 5.0%.

Reclassification

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

Accounting Standards Updates

In August 2018, The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted a final rule that eliminated or amended disclosure requirements that were redundant or outdated in light of changes in its requirements, generally accepted accounting principles, or changes in the business environment. The commission also referred certain disclosure requirements to the Financial Accounting Standards Board for potential incorporation into generally accepted accounting principles. The rule is effective for filings after November 5, 2018. The Company assessed the impact of this rule and determined that the changes resulted in clarification or expansion of existing requirements. The Company early adopted the rule upon publication to the federal register on October 5, 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other- Internal-Use Software (Topic 350-40), Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. The amendments provide guidance on accounting for fees paid when the arrangement includes a software license and align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing costs to develop or obtain internal-use software. The guidance will be effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet adopted this new guidance and does not expect it to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements when the new standard is implemented.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This amendment removed, modified and added the disclosure requirements under Topic 820. The changes are effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for the removed or modified disclosures with adoption of the additional disclosures upon the effective date. The Company has not yet adopted this new guidance and does not expect it to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements when the new standard is implemented.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This amendment provides additional guidance related to share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods or services from nonemployees. The guidance will be effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including the interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company has not yet adopted this new guidance and does not expect it to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements when the new standard is implemented.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-03, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments- Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. These amendments provide additional guidance related to equity securities without a readily determinable fair value, forward contracts and options purchased on those equity securities and fair value option liabilities. The Company adopted the guidance on July 1, 2018, and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, and in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. The amendments in the new standards will permit more flexibility in hedging interest rate risk for both variable rate and fixed rate financial instruments. The standards will also enhance the presentation of hedge results in the financial statements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet adopted the guidance, and does not expect a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements when the new standards are implemented.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting. The guidance clarifies the changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award that require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2018 and it had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. The guidance requires that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between these items on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2018 and has included the changes in restricted cash when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts on the statement of cash flows.

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 15, 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 February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, and in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases and ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements. This 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, inclusive of the effect of a practical expedient offered in ASU No. 2018-11 that allows lessors to not separate non-lease components from the related lease components under certain conditions, which the Company expects most of its leases to qualify for and to adopt, is largely unchanged from that applied under the previous standard. However, the Company will apply this guidance to the 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. While the Company is continuing to assess all potential impacts of the standard, we expect total liabilities and total assets to increase by $0.4 to $0.5 billion as of the date of adoption. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to adopt this guidance January 1, 2019 and will apply the modified retrospective approach, and anticipates electing the package of practical expedients that allows an entity to not reassess (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) lease classification for any expired or existing leases and (iii) initial direct costs for any expired or existing leases.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 (Subtopic 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 through earnings, to record changes in instrument-specific credit risk for financial liabilities measured under the fair value option in other comprehensive income, use the exit price notion when measuring an instrument’s fair value for disclosure and to separately present financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and form of instrument on the balance sheet or in the notes to the financial statements. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2018, and it had no impact 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 FASB also issued implementation guidance in March 2016, April 2016 and May 2016 - ASU’s 2016-08, 2016-10 and 2016-12, respectively. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018. Since the Company’s revenue is related to leasing activities, the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The new guidance is applicable to service contracts with joint ventures for which the Company earns property management fees, leasing commissions and development and construction fees. The adoption of this new guidance did not change the accounting for these fees as the pattern of recognition of revenue does not change with the new guidance. We will continue to recognize revenue over time on these contracts because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by our performance.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05 to clarify the scope of asset derecognition guidance in Subtopic 610-20, which also provided 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 adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018, and applied the modified retrospective approach. The Company elected to adopt the practical expedient under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which allows an entity to apply the guidance only to contracts with non-customers that are open based on ASU 360-20, Real Estate Sales, (i.e. failed sales) as of the adoption date. The Company had one open contract in 2017 with a non-customer that was evaluated under ASC 610-20. The Company entered into an agreement to sell a portion of their interest in an entity that held a controlling interest in the property at 1515 Broadway. Upon execution of the agreement in 2017, the transaction was evaluated under ASC 360-20, Real Estate Sales, and did not meet the criteria for sale accounting. Upon adoption of ASC 606, this contract met the criteria for sale accounting under ASC 610-20. Through the sale, the Company no longer retains a controlling interest, as defined in ASC 810, Consolidation, and the impact of this adjustment is a gain of $0.6 billion from the sale of the partial interest and related step-up in basis to fair value of the non-controlling interest retained. This was recorded in the first quarter of 2018 as an adjustment to beginning retained earnings.