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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Piedmont’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of Piedmont, Piedmont’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, any variable interest entity ("VIE") of which Piedmont or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries is considered to have the power to direct the activities of the entity and the obligation to absorb losses/right to receive benefits, or any entity in which Piedmont or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries owns a controlling interest. In determining whether Piedmont or Piedmont OP has a controlling interest, the following factors, among others, are considered: equity ownership, voting rights, protective rights of investors, and participatory rights of investors.

Principles of Consolidation

Piedmont owns interests in two real properties through its ownership in 1201 Eye Street, N.W. Associates, LLC and 1225 Eye Street, N.W. Associates, LLC. Piedmont has evaluated these entities based on the criteria outlined above and concluded that these entities are VIEs, but that Piedmont has a controlling interest in both entities through its 100% ownership in Piedmont Washington Properties, Inc. Accordingly, Piedmont’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of 1201 Eye Street, NW Associates, LLC and 1225 Eye Street, NW Associates, LLC.

In addition, during the three years ended December 31, 2015, Piedmont owned interests in certain properties through various unconsolidated joint venture partnerships. Although Piedmont is currently or was the majority equity participant in these joint ventures, Piedmont and its co-venturer exercised joint control over the properties held by the joint ventures. As a result, in accordance with GAAP, the accounts of these joint ventures are not consolidated, but rather accounted for using the equity method of accounting in Piedmont’s consolidated financial statements.

Please refer to Note 6 for a summary of Piedmont’s interests in and consolidation treatment of its various VIEs as of December 31, 2015.

Further, Piedmont has formed special purpose entities to acquire and hold real estate. Each special purpose entity is a separate legal entity and consequently the assets of the special purpose entities are not available to all creditors of Piedmont. The assets owned by these special purpose entities are being reported on a consolidated basis with Piedmont’s assets for financial reporting purposes only.

All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Real Estate Assets

Real estate assets are stated at cost, as adjusted for any impairment loss, less accumulated depreciation. Amounts capitalized to real estate assets consist of the cost of acquisition or construction, any tenant improvements or major improvements, and betterments that extend the useful life of the related asset. All repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Additionally, Piedmont capitalizes interest while the development, or redevelopment, of a real estate asset is in progress. Approximately $3.8 million, $2.1 million, and $31,000 of interest was capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Piedmont’s real estate assets are depreciated or amortized using the straight-line method over the following useful lives:



Buildings	40 years
Building improvements	5-25 years
Land improvements	20-25 years
Tenant allowances	Lease term
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment	3-5 years
Intangible lease assets	Lease term

Piedmont continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying amounts of the real estate and related intangible assets of both operating properties and properties under construction in which Piedmont has an ownership interest, either directly or through investments in joint ventures, may not be recoverable. When indicators of potential impairment are present for wholly-owned properties, management assesses whether the respective carrying values will be recovered from the undiscounted future operating cash flows expected from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition for assets held for use, or from the estimated fair values, less costs to sell, for assets held for sale. Piedmont generally considers assets to be held for sale at the point at which a sale contract is executed and earnest money has become non-refundable. In the event that the expected undiscounted future cash flows for assets held for use or the estimated fair value, less costs to sell, for assets held for sale do not exceed the respective asset carrying value, management adjusts such assets to the respective estimated fair values and recognizes an impairment loss. Estimated fair values are calculated based on the following information, depending upon availability, in order of preference: (i) recently quoted market prices, (ii) market prices for comparable properties, or (iii) the present value of undiscounted cash flows, including estimated sales value (which is based on key assumptions such as estimated market rents, lease-up periods, estimated lease terms, and capitalization and discount rates).

For properties owned as part of an investment in an unconsolidated joint venture, Piedmont assesses the estimated fair value of its investment as compared to its carrying amount. If Piedmont determines that the carrying value is greater than the estimated fair value at any measurement date, Piedmont must also determine if such a difference is temporary in nature. Value fluctuations which are “other than temporary” in nature are then recorded to adjust the carrying value to the estimated fair value amount in the period in which such determination is made.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities of Acquired Properties

Upon the acquisition of real properties, Piedmont records the fair value of properties to acquired tangible assets, consisting of land and building, and identified intangible assets and liabilities, consisting of the value of above-market and below-market leases and the value of in-place leases, based on their estimated fair values.

The estimated fair values of the tangible assets of an acquired property (which includes land and building) are determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, and the “as-if-vacant” value is then allocated to land and building based on management’s determination of the estimated fair value of these assets. Management determines the as-if-vacant estimated fair value of a property using methods similar to those used by independent appraisers. Factors considered by management in performing these analyses include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, management includes real estate taxes, insurance, and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rental revenue during the expected lease-up periods based on current market demand. Management also estimates the cost to execute similar leases including leasing commissions, legal, and other related costs.

The estimated fair values of above-market and below-market in-place leases are recorded based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and (ii) management’s estimate of market rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining terms of the leases, taking into consideration the probability of renewals for any below-market leases. The capitalized above-market and below-market lease values are recorded as intangible lease assets or liabilities and amortized as an adjustment to rental revenues over the remaining terms of the respective leases.

The estimated fair values of in-place leases include an estimate of the direct costs associated with obtaining the acquired or "in place" tenant, estimates of opportunity costs associated with lost rentals that are avoided by acquiring an in-place lease. The amount capitalized as direct costs associated with obtaining a tenant include commissions, tenant improvements, and other direct costs and are estimated based on management’s consideration of current market costs to execute a similar lease. These direct lease origination costs are included in deferred lease costs in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are amortized to expense over the remaining terms of the respective leases. The value of opportunity costs is calculated using the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases over a market absorption period for a similar lease. These lease intangibles are included in intangible lease assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are amortized to expense over the remaining terms of the respective leases.

Investments in and Amounts Due from Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

Piedmont’s investments in unconsolidated joint ventures are recorded using the equity method of accounting, whereby original investments are recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for contributions, distributions, net income/(loss), and "other than temporary" impairments, if any, attributable to such joint ventures. Pursuant to the terms of the unconsolidated joint venture agreements, all income and distributions are allocated to the joint venture partners in accordance with their respective ownership interests. Distributions of net cash from operations are generally distributed to the joint venture partners on a quarterly basis, and are classified as cash inflows from operating activities, as they are presumed to be returns on Piedmont’s investment in the respective joint venture. Proceeds received as the result of a sale of an asset from an unconsolidated joint venture are considered a return of Piedmont’s investment in the joint venture and classified as cash inflows from investing activities. Due from unconsolidated joint ventures represents operating distributions due to Piedmont from its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures which have been declared but not received as of period end.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Piedmont considers all highly-liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include cash and short-term investments. Short-term investments are stated at cost, which approximates estimated fair value, and consist of investments in money market accounts.

Tenant Receivables, net and Straight-line Rent Receivables

Tenant receivables are comprised of rental and reimbursement billings due from tenants, and straight-line rent receivables representing the cumulative amount of future adjustments necessary to present rental income on a straight-line basis. Tenant receivables are recorded at the original amount earned, less an allowance for any doubtful accounts, which approximates estimated fair value. Management assesses the collectibility of tenant receivables on an ongoing basis and provides for allowances as such balances, or portions thereof, become uncollectible. Piedmont adjusted the allowance for doubtful accounts by recording provisions for/(recoveries of) bad debts of approximately $21,000, $(5,000), and $186,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, which are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Restricted Cash and Escrows

Restricted cash and escrows principally relate to the following types of items:


•	escrow accounts held by lenders to pay future real estate taxes, insurance, debt service, and tenant improvements;


•	net sales proceeds from property sales held by qualified intermediary for potential Section 1031 exchange;


•	earnest money paid in connection with future acquisitions; and


•	security and utility deposits paid by tenants per the terms of their respective leases.

Restricted cash and escrows are generally reclassified to other asset or liability accounts upon being used to purchase assets, satisfy obligations, or settle tenant obligations.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

Prepaid expenses and other assets are primarily comprised of the following items:


•	prepaid property taxes, insurance and operating costs;


•	deferred common area maintenance costs which will be reimbursed by tenants over specified time periods;


•	receivables which are unrelated to tenants, for example, insurance proceeds receivable from insurers related to casualty losses; and


•	equipment, furniture and fixtures, and tenant improvements for Piedmont’s corporate office and property management office space, net of accumulated depreciation.

Prepaid expenses and other assets will be expensed as utilized or depreciated in the case of Piedmont's corporate assets. Balances without a future economic benefit are expensed as they are identified. Deferred common area maintenance costs are amortized to property operating costs as the related reimbursement income is recognized over the period specified in the respective lease.

Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of cost of an acquired entity over the amounts specifically assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in purchase accounting for business combinations. Piedmont tests the carrying value of its goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. Such interim circumstances may include, but are not limited to, significant adverse changes in legal factors or in the general business climate, adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, the loss of key personnel, or persistent declines in an entity’s stock price below carrying value of the entity. Piedmont first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, Piedmont concludes that the estimated fair value is greater than the carrying amount, then performing a further two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if Piedmont chooses to forgo the availability of the qualitative analysis, the test prescribed by authoritative accounting guidance is a two-step test. The first step involves comparing the estimated fair value of the entity to its carrying value, including goodwill. Estimated fair value is determined by adjusting the trading price of the stock for a control premium, if necessary, multiplied by the common shares outstanding. If such calculated estimated fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further procedures or analysis is required. However, if the carrying value exceeds the calculated fair value, goodwill is potentially impaired and step two of the analysis would be required. Step two of the test involves calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the estimated fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets of the entity from the entity’s estimated fair value calculated in step one of the test. If the implied value of the goodwill (the remainder left after deducting the estimated fair values of the entity from its calculated overall estimated fair value in step one of the test) is less than the carrying value of goodwill, an impairment loss would be recognized.

Interest Rate Derivatives

Piedmont periodically enters into interest rate derivative agreements to hedge its exposure to changing interest rates. Piedmont records all derivatives on the balance sheet at estimated fair value. Piedmont reassesses the effectiveness of its derivatives designated as cash flow hedges on a regular basis to determine if they continue to be highly effective and also to determine if the forecasted transactions remain highly probable. Currently, Piedmont does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

The changes in estimated fair value of interest rate swap agreements designated as effective cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (“OCI”), and subsequently reclassified to earnings when the hedged transactions occur. Changes in the estimated fair values of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, if any, would be recorded as gain/(loss) on interest rate swap in the consolidated statements of income. The estimated fair value of the interest rate derivative agreement is recorded as interest rate derivative asset or as interest rate derivative liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amounts received or paid under interest rate derivative agreements are recorded as reductions or additions to interest expense in the consolidated income statements as incurred. All of Piedmont's interest rate derivative agreements as of December 31, 2015 are designated as cash flow hedges.

Deferred Lease Costs

Deferred lease costs are comprised of costs and incentives incurred to acquire operating leases. In addition to direct costs, deferred lease costs also include intangible lease origination costs related to in-place leases acquired as part of a property acquisition and direct payroll costs incurred related to negotiating and executing specific leases. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, Piedmont capitalized approximately $1.0 million, $0.7 million, and $0.1 million, respectively, of internal leasing and development costs.

Deferred lease costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related underlying leases in the accompanying consolidated statements of income as follows:


•	Approximately $42.5 million, $40.9 million, and $31.9 million of deferred lease costs for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, are included in amortization expense; and


•	Approximately $4.7 million, $4.2 million, and $3.5 million, of deferred lease costs related to lease incentives granted to tenants for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, was included as an offset to rental income.

Upon receipt of a lease termination notice, Piedmont adjusts any unamortized deferred lease costs to their net realizable value ratably over the revised remaining term of the lease after giving effect to the termination notice. If there is no remaining lease term and no other obligation to provide the tenant space in the property, then any unamortized tenant-specific costs are recognized immediately upon termination.

Debt

When mortgage debt is assumed upon the acquisition of real property, Piedmont adjusts the loan to estimated fair value with a corresponding adjustment to building and other intangible assets assumed as part of the purchase. The fair value adjustment is amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective interest method.

On October 1, 2015, Piedmont adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs ("ASU 2015-03") which prescribes that all debt issuance costs be presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the principal amount of secured and unsecured debt, as opposed to an asset. ASU 2015-03 only affects the presentation of debt issuance costs, as these costs will continue to be amortized to interest expense on a straight-line basis (which approximates the effective interest rate method) over the terms of the related financing arrangements.

Additionally, Piedmont records debt issuance premiums/discounts as an increase/decrease to the principal amount of the loan in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and amortizes such premiums or discounts as a component of interest expense over the life of the underlying loan facility using the effective interest method.

Deferred Income

Deferred income

Deferred income is primarily comprised of the following items:


•	prepaid rent from tenants; and


•	tenant reimbursements related to operating expense or property tax expenses which may be due to tenants as part of an annual operating expense reconciliation.

Deferred income related to prepaid rents from tenants will be recognized as income in the period it is earned. Amounts related to operating expense reconciliations or property tax expense are relieved when the tenant's reconciliation is completed in accordance with the underlying lease, and payment is issued to the tenant.

Shares-in-trust, Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Dividends

Shares-in-trust

To date, Piedmont has not issued any shares-in-trust; however, under Piedmont’s charter, it has authority to issue a total of 150,000,000 shares-in-trust, which would be issued only in the event that there is a purported transfer of, or other change in or affecting the ownership of, Piedmont’s capital stock that would result in a violation of the ownership limits that are included in Piedmont’s charter to protect its REIT status.

Preferred Stock

To date, Piedmont has not issued any shares of preferred stock; however, Piedmont is authorized to issue up to100,000,000 shares of one or more classes or series of preferred stock. Piedmont’s board of directors may determine the relative rights, preferences, and privileges of any class or series of preferred stock that may be issued, and can be more beneficial than the rights, preferences, and privileges attributable to Piedmont’s common stock.

Common Stock

Under Piedmont’s charter, it has authority to issue a total of 750,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.01 per share. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote and participates in distributions equally. The board of directors of Piedmont authorized in June 2015 the repurchase and retirement of up to $200 million of Piedmont's common stock through second quarter of 2017. Piedmont may repurchase the shares from time to time, in accordance with applicable securities laws, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing of repurchases is dependent upon market conditions and other factors, and repurchases may be commenced or suspended from time to time in Piedmont's discretion, without prior notice. As of December 31, 2015, there was approximately $78.2 million in remaining capacity under the program which may be used for share repurchases through second quarter of 2017.

Dividends

As a REIT, Piedmont is required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to make distributions to stockholders each taxable year equal to at least 90% of its taxable income, computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction and by excluding net capital gains attributable to stockholders (“REIT taxable income”). Piedmont sponsors a dividend reinvestment plan ("DRP") pursuant to which common stockholders may elect (if their brokerage agreements allow) to reinvest an amount equal to the dividends declared on their common shares into additional shares of Piedmont’s common stock in lieu of receiving cash dividends. Under the DRP, Piedmont has the option to either issue shares purchased in the open market or issue shares directly from Piedmont's authorized but unissued shares, in both cases at a 2% discount for the stockholder. Such election takes place at the settlement of each quarterly dividend in which there are participants in the DRP, and may change from quarter to quarter based on management's judgment of the best use of proceeds for Piedmont.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest is the equity interest of consolidated entities that are not owned by Piedmont. Noncontrolling interest is adjusted for contributions, distributions, and earnings (losses) attributable to the noncontrolling interest partners of the consolidated joint ventures. All earnings and distributions are allocated to the partners of the consolidated joint ventures in accordance with their respective partnership agreements. Earnings allocated to such noncontrolling interest partners are recorded as income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

In addition, certain non-controlling interests are held in the form of equity participation agreements in Piedmont's consolidated variable interest entities. The equity participation agreements include an option to redeem when certain conditions are met. These instruments are re-measured at the redemption amount once the redemption becomes probable and reclassified to a liability once the redemption option is exercised or conditions are met to make the option mandatorily redeemable.

Revenue Recognition

All leases of real estate assets held by Piedmont are classified as operating leases, and the related base rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective leases. Tenant reimbursements are recognized as revenue in the period that the related operating cost is incurred. Rents and tenant reimbursements collected in advance are recorded as deferred income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Lease termination revenues are recognized ratably as rental revenue over the revised remaining lease term after giving effect to the termination notice. Contingent rental income recognition is deferred until the specific lease-related targets are achieved.

Gains on the sale of real estate assets are recognized upon completing the sale and, among other things, determining the sale price and transferring all of the risks and rewards of ownership without significant continuing involvement with the purchaser. Recognition of all or a portion of the gain would be deferred until both of these conditions are met. Losses are primarily recognized through impairment charges when identified.

Stock-based Compensation and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan

Stock-based Compensation

Piedmont has issued stock-based compensation in the form of restricted stock to its employees and directors. For employees, such compensation has been issued pursuant to Piedmont's Long-term Incentive Compensation ("LTIC") program. The LTIC program is comprised of an annual restricted stock grant component (the "Restricted Stock Award" program) and a multi-year performance share component (the "Performance Share" program). Awards granted pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award and Performance Share programs are classified as equity awards or liability awards based on the underlying terms of the program agreement. Awards classified as equity awards are expensed straight-line over the vesting period, with issuances recorded as a reduction to additional paid in capital. Awards classified as liability awards are expensed over the service period, with issuances recorded as a reduction to accrued expense. The compensation expense recognized related to both of these award types is recorded as property operating costs for those employees whose job is related to property operation and as general and administrative expense for all other employees and directors in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan

Additionally, Piedmont has a nonqualified deferred compensation plan which allows certain employees to elect to defer their receipt of compensation, including both cash and stock-based compensation, until future taxable years. Amounts deferred are invested in trading securities held in a "rabbi trust" and are measured using quoted market prices as of the reporting date. Such investments are included in cash equivalents due to their short-term, liquid nature, with the corresponding liability included in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and accrued capital expenditures in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Legal Fees and Related Insurance Recoveries

Piedmont recognizes legal expenses in the period in which services are rendered as a component of general and administrative expense for routine corporate matters or as property operating costs for legal expenses attributable to operating properties. Insurance reimbursements related to ongoing legal matters are recorded as a reduction of legal expense in the period that the insurance company definitively notifies Piedmont of its intent to issue payment.

Casualty Losses and Litigation Settlement Expense and Related Insurance Recoveries

From time to time, specific assets may be damaged or destroyed by natural disasters. Such damages may result in significant expenses related to the destruction of fixed assets or costs to clean, repair, and establish emergency operations at the building or buildings affected by the casualty event. In addition, Piedmont may recognize expenses as a result of issuing rent abatements to tenants for business interruptions caused by the tenants' inability to access the space that they lease from Piedmont. Further, during the year ended December 31, 2012, Piedmont settled two separate securities class action lawsuits. Losses related to the above items are estimated and recorded in the period incurred without regard to whether the loss may be ultimately recoverable under Piedmont's various insurance policies. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, substantially all of the net casualty loss recorded related to losses incurred in Piedmont's New York/New Jersey portfolio as a result of Hurricane Sandy which occurred in October 2012.

Insurance recoveries associated with casualty losses and litigation settlement expenses are recorded as income in the period that the insurance company definitively notifies Piedmont of its intent to issue payment.

Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity

Effective April 1, 2014, Piedmont adopted the amendments of Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity ("ASU 2014-08") which changed the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. Gains and losses on sales related to properties that do not meet the newly adopted definition of discontinued operations and the operational results of these properties are included in income from continuing operations for all periods presented, while the gain on sale is presented in accordance with SEC Rule 3-15 of Regulation S-X in the accompanying consolidated statements of income between discontinued operations and net income. These gains and/or losses, however, are included in continuing operations for purposes of calculating earnings per share data. Operational results related to properties sold or held for sale as of March 31, 2014 continue to be presented as discontinued operations because the adoption provisions of ASU 2014-08 required prospective implementation. None of these reclassifications affect net income or net equity attributable to Piedmont as presented in previous periods.

Net Income Available to Common Stockholders Per Share

Net income per share-basic is calculated as net income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Net income per share-diluted is calculated as net income available to common stockholders divided by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including the dilutive effect of nonvested restricted stock. The dilutive effect of nonvested restricted stock is calculated using the treasury stock method to determine the number of additional common shares that would become outstanding if the remaining unvested restricted stock awards vested. Outstanding stock options have been excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation, as their impact would be anti-dilutive.

Income Taxes

Piedmont has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code, and has operated as such, beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 1998. To qualify as a REIT, Piedmont must meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement to distribute at least 90% of its annual REIT taxable income. As a REIT, Piedmont is generally not subject to federal income taxes; however, Piedmont conducts certain operations through its taxable REIT subsidiary, Piedmont Office Holdings, Inc. Accordingly, the only provision for federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements relates to Piedmont’s consolidated taxable REIT subsidiary. Piedmont’s taxable REIT subsidiary did not have significant tax provisions or deferred income tax items. These operations resulted in approximately $85,000, $0, and $0 in income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Piedmont is subject to certain state and local taxes related to the operations of properties in certain locations, which have been provided for in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. The reclassifications relate to: (i) properties classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2015, June 30, 2015, or September 30, 2015, have been reclassified as held for sale as of December 31, 2014 for comparative purposes (see Note 14); and (ii) debt issuance costs have been reclassified from an asset to a direct deduction from the principal amount of secured and unsecured debt in accordance with ASU 2015-03 (see Debt above).

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") has issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"). The amendments in ASU 2014-09 change the criteria for the recognition of revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services using a five-step determination process. Steps 1 through 5 involve (i) identifying contracts with a customer, (ii) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determining the transaction price, (iv) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations, and (v) recognizing revenue as an entity satisfies a performance obligation. Additionally, lease contracts are specifically excluded from ASU 2014-09. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 are effective in the first quarter of 2018 for Piedmont, and Piedmont is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of adoption.

The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810), Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis ("ASU 2015-02"). The amendments in ASU 2015-02 modify the consolidation analysis of certain types of entities. Specifically, ASU 2015-02 changes the assessment criteria of whether limited partnerships are VIEs, eliminates the presumption that general partners should consolidate a limited partner, eliminates certain conditions from the evaluation of whether a fee paid to a decision maker constitutes a VIE, and changes the evaluation regarding the impact of related parties in the primary beneficiary determination of a VIE. The amendments in ASU 2015-02 are effective in the first quarter of 2016 for Piedmont, and Piedmont does not anticipate any material impact to its consolidated financial statements as a result of adoption.

The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-05, Intangibles- Goodwill and Other- Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40), Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement ("ASU 2015-05") which will help entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement to determine whether an arrangement includes the sale or license of software. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer will account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. However, cloud computing arrangements which do not include a software license will be accounted for as a service contract. The amendments in ASU 2015-05 are effective in the first quarter of 2016 for Piedmont, and Piedmont does not anticipate any material impact to its consolidated financial statements as a result of adoption.

The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement – Prior Period Adjustments ("ASU 2015-16"), which eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for adjustments made to provisional amounts recognized in a real estate acquisition in prior period statements. Instead, the amendments in ASU 2015-16 require the cumulative impact of any adjustment should be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified. ASU 2015-16 will be effective for Piedmont beginning on January 1, 2016, and Piedmont does not anticipate any material impact to its consolidated financial statements as a result of adoption.