3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Investment Properties

We record investment properties at cost. Investment properties include costs of acquisitions; development, predevelopment, and construction (including allocable salaries and related benefits); tenant allowances and improvements; and interest and real estate taxes incurred during construction. We capitalize improvements and replacements from repair and maintenance when the repair and maintenance extends the useful life, increases capacity, or improves the efficiency of the asset. All other repair and maintenance items are expensed as incurred. We capitalize interest on projects during periods of construction until the projects are ready for their intended purpose based on interest rates in place during the construction period. The amount of interest capitalized during each year is as follows:

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
Capitalized interest	$	32,664	$	16,500	$	15,585

We record depreciation on buildings and improvements utilizing the straight-line method over an estimated original useful life, which is generally 10 to 35 years. We review depreciable lives of investment properties periodically and we make adjustments when necessary to reflect a shorter economic life. We amortize tenant allowances and tenant improvements utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the related lease or occupancy term of the tenant, if shorter. We record depreciation on equipment and fixtures utilizing the straight-line method over seven to ten years.

We review investment properties for impairment on a property-by-property basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of investment properties may not be recoverable. These circumstances include, but are not limited to, declines in a property's cash flows, ending occupancy or total sales per square foot. We measure any impairment of investment property when the estimated undiscounted operating income before depreciation and amortization plus its residual value is less than the carrying value of the property. To the extent impairment has occurred, we charge to income the excess of carrying value of the property over its estimated fair value. We estimate fair value using unobservable data such as operating income, estimated capitalization rates, or multiples, leasing prospects and local market information. We may decide to sell properties that are held for use and the sale prices of these properties may differ from their carrying values. We also review our investments, including investments in unconsolidated entities, if events or circumstances change indicating that the carrying amount of our investments may not be recoverable. We will record an impairment charge if we determine that a decline in the fair value of the investments is other-than-temporary. Changes in economic and operating conditions that occur subsequent to our review of recoverability of investment property and other investments could impact the assumptions used in that assessment and could result in future charges to earnings if assumptions regarding those investments differ from actual results.

Purchase Accounting

We allocate the purchase price of acquisitions and any excess investment in unconsolidated entities to the various components of the acquisition based upon the fair value of each component which may be derived from various observable or unobservable inputs and assumptions. Also, we may utilize third party valuation specialists. These components typically include buildings, land and intangibles related to in-place leases and we estimate:

the fair value of land and related improvements and buildings on an as-if-vacant basis,

the market value of in-place leases based upon our best estimate of current market rents and amortize the resulting market rent adjustment into revenues,

the value of costs to obtain tenants, including tenant allowances and improvements and leasing commissions, and

the value of revenue and recovery of costs foregone during a reasonable lease-up period, as if the space was vacant.

The fair value of buildings is depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the acquired building or related improvements. We amortize tenant improvements, in-place lease assets and other lease-related intangibles over the remaining life of the underlying leases. We also estimate the value of other acquired intangible assets, if any, which are amortized over the remaining life of the underlying related intangibles.

Discontinued Operations

On May 28, 2014, we completed the spin-off of our interests in 98 properties comprised of substantially all of our strip center business and our smaller enclosed malls to WP Glimcher Inc. (formerly known as Washington Prime Group Inc.), or Washington Prime, an independent, publicly traded REIT. The spin-off was effectuated through a distribution of the common shares of Washington Prime to holders of Simon common stock as of the distribution record date, and qualified as a tax-free distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For every two shares of Simon common stock held as of the record date of May 16, 2014, Simon stockholders received one Washington Prime common share on May 28, 2014. At the time of the separation and distribution, Washington Prime owned a percentage of the outstanding units of partnership interest of Washington Prime Group, L.P. that was approximately equal to the percentage of outstanding units of limited partnership interest in the Operating Partnership, or units, owned by us. The remaining units of Washington Prime Group, L.P. were owned by limited partners of the Operating Partnership who received one Washington Prime Group, L.P. unit for every two units they owned in the Operating Partnership. Subsequent to the spin-off, we retained a nominal interest in Washington Prime Group, L.P. We also retained approximately $1.0 billion of proceeds from completed unsecured debt and mortgage debt as part of the spin-off and incurred $38.2 million in transaction costs during 2014 related to the spin-off of Washington Prime.

The historical results of operations of the Washington Prime properties have been presented as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The accompanying consolidated statement of cash flows includes, within operating, investing and financing cash flows, those activities which related to our period of ownership of the Washington Prime properties.

Summarized financial information for discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is present below.

	For the Year Ended
	2014			2013
TOTAL REVENUE	$	262,652		$	626,289
Property Operating		43,175			104,089
Depreciation and amortization		76,992			182,828
Real estate taxes		32,474			76,216
Repairs and maintenance		10,331			22,584
Advertising and promotion		3,340			8,316
Provision for credit losses		1,494			572
Other		2,028			4,664

Total operating expenses		169,834			399,269
OPERATING INCOME		92,818			227,020
Interest expense		(26,076	)		(55,058	)
Income and other taxes		(112	)		(196	)
Income (loss) from unconsolidated entities		652			(1,121	)
Gain upon acquisition of controlling interests, sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities, and impairment charge on investment in unconsolidated entities, net		242			14,152

CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME		67,524			184,797
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		9,781			26,571

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$	57,743		$	158,226

Capital expenditures on a cash basis for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $31.9 million and $93.3 million, respectively.

We and Washington Prime entered into property management and transitional services agreements in connection with the spin-off whereby we provide certain services to Washington Prime and its properties that were previously owned by us. Pursuant to the terms of the property management agreements, we manage, lease, and maintain those Washington Prime mall properties under the direction of Washington Prime. In exchange, Washington Prime pays us annual fixed rate property management fees ranging from 2.5% to 4.0% of base minimum and percentage rents, reimburses us for direct out-of-pocket costs and expenses and also pays us separate fees for any leasing and development services we provide. The property management agreements had an initial term of two years and will terminate upon the two-year anniversary of the spinoff. Either party may terminate the property management agreements on or after the two-year anniversary of the spin-off upon 180 days prior written notice.

We also provide certain support services to the Washington Prime strip centers that were previously owned by us and certain of its central functions to assist Washington Prime as it establishes its stand-alone processes for various activities that were previously provided by us. These services, which do not constitute significant continuing support of Washington Prime's operations, include assistance in the areas of information technology, treasury and financial management, payroll, lease administration, taxation and procurement. The charges for such services are intended to allow us to recover costs of providing these services. The transition services agreement will terminate upon the two-year anniversary of the spinoff. Transitional services fees earned for 2015 and for the portion of 2014 subsequent to the spin-off were approximately $5.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 90 days or less to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash equivalents generally consist of commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, Eurodollars, repurchase agreements, and money market deposits or securities. Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk include our cash and cash equivalents and our trade accounts receivable. We place our cash and cash equivalents with institutions of high credit quality. However, at certain times, such cash and cash equivalents are in excess of FDIC and SIPC insurance limits. See Notes 4 and 10 for disclosures about non-cash investing and financing transactions.

Marketable and Non-Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consist primarily of the investments of our captive insurance subsidiaries, available-for-sale securities, our deferred compensation plan investments, and certain investments held to fund the debt service requirements of debt previously secured by investment properties. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had marketable securities of $183.8 million and $643.0 million, respectively, generally accounted for as available-for-sale, which are adjusted to their quoted market price with a corresponding adjustment in other comprehensive income (loss). Net unrealized gains recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were approximately $12.6 million and $103.9 million, respectively, and represent the valuation adjustments for our marketable securities.

The types of securities included in the investment portfolio of our captive insurance subsidiaries typically include U.S. Treasury or other U.S. government securities as well as corporate debt securities with maturities ranging from less than 1 to 10 years. These securities are classified as available-for-sale and are valued based upon quoted market prices or other observable inputs when quoted market prices are not available. The amortized cost of debt securities, which approximates fair value, held by our captive insurance subsidiaries is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Changes in the values of these securities are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the gain or loss is realized or until any unrealized loss is deemed to be other-than-temporary. We review any declines in value of these securities for other-than-temporary impairment and consider the severity and duration of any decline in value. To the extent an other-than-temporary impairment is deemed to have occurred, an impairment charge is recorded and a new cost basis is established.

Our insurance subsidiaries are required to maintain statutory minimum capital and surplus as well as maintain a minimum liquidity ratio. Therefore, our access to these securities may be limited. Our deferred compensation plan investments are classified as trading securities and are valued based upon quoted market prices. The investments have a matching liability as the amounts are fully payable to the employees that earned the compensation. Changes in value of these securities and changes to the matching liability to employees are both recognized in earnings and, as a result, there is no impact to consolidated net income.

On June 24, 2015, we sold our investment in certain marketable securities that were accounted for as an available-for-sale security, with the value adjusted to its quoted market price through other comprehensive income (loss). At the date of sale, we owned 5.71 million shares. The aggregate proceeds received from the sale were $454.0 million, and we recognized a gain on the sale of $80.2 million, which is included in other income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2015.

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had investments of $181.4 million and $167.1 million, respectively, in non-marketable securities that we account for under the cost method. We regularly evaluate these investments for any other-than-temporary impairment in their estimated fair value and determined that no adjustment in the carrying value was required.

Fair Value Measurements

Level 1 fair value inputs are quoted prices for identical items in active, liquid and visible markets such as stock exchanges. Level 2 fair value inputs are observable information for similar items in active or inactive markets, and appropriately consider counterparty creditworthiness in the valuations. Level 3 fair value inputs reflect our best estimate of inputs and assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability at the measurement date. The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the valuation estimate. We have no investments for which fair value is measured on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs.

The marketable securities we held at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were primarily classified as having Level 1 fair value inputs. In addition, we had derivative instruments which were classified as having Level 2 inputs, which consist primarily of interest rate swap agreements and foreign currency forward contracts with a gross liability balance of $2.1 million at December 31, 2014, and a gross asset value of $27.8 million and $20.1 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Note 8 includes a discussion of the fair value of debt measured using Level 2 inputs. Notes 3 and 4 include discussions of the fair values recorded in purchase accounting using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs. Level 3 inputs to our purchase accounting and impairment analyses include our estimations of net operating results of the property, capitalization rates and discount rates.

Gains on Issuances of Stock by Equity Method Investees

When one of our equity method investees issues additional shares to third parties, our percentage ownership interest in the investee may decrease. In the event the issuance price per share is higher or lower than our average carrying amount per share, we recognize a noncash gain or loss on the issuance, when appropriate. This noncash gain or loss is recognized in our net income in the period the change of ownership interest occurs.

In 2015, as discussed in Note 7, we recorded a non-cash gain of $206.9 million related to Klépierre's issuance of shares in connection with Klépierre's acquisition of Corio N.V., or Corio, which is included in gain upon acquisition of controlling interests and sale or disposal of assets and interests in unconsolidated entities, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Use of Estimates

We prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the reported period. Our actual results could differ from these estimates.

Segment Disclosure

Our primary business is the ownership, development, and management of retail real estate. We have aggregated our retail operations, including malls, Premium Outlets, The Mills, and our international investments into one reportable segment because they have similar economic characteristics and we provide similar products and services to similar types of, and in many cases, the same tenants.

Deferred Costs and Other Assets

Deferred costs and other assets include the following as of December 31:

	2015		2014
Deferred financing and lease costs, net	$	325,720	$	312,569
In-place lease intangibles, net		188,219		216,330
Acquired above market lease intangibles, net		67,363		75,366
Marketable securities of our captive insurance companies		87,257		111,844
Goodwill		20,098		20,098
Other marketable and non-marketable securities		278,026		698,265
Prepaids, notes receivable and other assets, net		385,576		372,317

	$	1,352,259	$	1,806,789

Deferred Financing and Lease Costs

Our deferred costs consist primarily of financing fees we incurred in order to obtain long-term financing and internal and external leasing commissions and related costs. We record amortization of deferred financing costs on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective loans or agreements. Our deferred leasing costs consist primarily of capitalized salaries and related benefits in connection with lease originations. We record amortization of deferred leasing costs on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases. Details of these deferred costs as of December 31 are as follows:

	2015			2014
Deferred financing and lease costs	$	567,862		$	533,050
Accumulated amortization		(242,142	)		(220,481	)

Deferred financing and lease costs, net	$	325,720		$	312,569

We report amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of premiums, and accretion of discounts as part of interest expense. Amortization of deferred leasing costs is a component of depreciation and amortization expense. We amortize debt premiums and discounts, which are included in mortgages and unsecured indebtedness, over the remaining terms of the related debt instruments. These debt premiums or discounts arise either at the time of the debt issuance or as part of purchase accounting for the fair value of debt assumed in acquisitions. The accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income include amortization from continuing operations as follows:

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
Amortization of deferred financing costs	$	19,349		$	21,392		$	25,159
Amortization of debt premiums, net of discounts		(16,107	)		(24,092	)		(33,026	)
Amortization of deferred leasing costs		43,788			39,488			34,891

Intangibles

The average remaining life of in-place lease intangibles is approximately 3.1 years and is being amortized on a straight-line basis and is included with depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The fair market value of above and below market leases is amortized into revenue over the remaining lease life as a component of reported minimum rents. The weighted average remaining life of these intangibles is approximately 5.3 years. The unamortized amount of below market leases is included in accounts payable, accrued expenses, intangibles and deferred revenues in the consolidated balance sheets and was $117.8 million and $103.1 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The amount of amortization from continuing operations of above and below market leases, net for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 was $13.6 million, $11.3 million, and $22.8 million, respectively. If a lease is terminated prior to the original lease termination, any remaining unamortized intangible is written off to earnings.

Details of intangible assets as of December 31 are as follows:

	2015			2014
In-place lease intangibles	$	431,712		$	416,623
Accumulated depreciation		(243,493	)		(200,293	)

In-place lease intangibles, net	$	188,219		$	216,330

	2015			2014
Acquired above market lease intangibles	$	183,625		$	225,335
Accumulated amortization		(116,262	)		(149,969	)

Acquired above market lease intangibles, net	$	67,363		$	75,366

Estimated future amortization and the increasing (decreasing) effect on minimum rents for our above and below market leases as of December 31, 2015 are as follows:

	Below Market Leases		Above Market Leases			Impact to Minimum Rent, Net
2016	$	30,568	$	(19,677	)	$	10,891
2017		23,517		(16,155	)		7,362
2018		18,424		(12,422	)		6,002
2019		15,347		(8,964	)		6,383
2020		12,131		(6,542	)		5,589
Thereafter		17,801		(3,603	)		14,198

	$	117,788	$	(67,363	)	$	50,425

Derivative Financial Instruments

We record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether we have designated a derivative as a hedge and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. We may use a variety of derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business to selectively manage or hedge a portion of the risks associated with our indebtedness and interest payments. Our objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we primarily use interest rate swaps and caps. We require that hedging derivative instruments be highly effective in reducing the risk exposure that they are designated to hedge. As a result, there is no significant ineffectiveness from any of our derivative activities. We formally designate any instrument that meets these hedging criteria as a hedge at the inception of the derivative contract. We have no credit-risk-related hedging or derivative activities.

As of December 31, 2015, we had no outstanding interest rate derivatives. As of December 31, 2014, we had two interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $375.0 million. The carrying value of our interest rate swap agreements, at fair value, as of December 31, 2014, was a net liability balance of $1.2 million, of which $2.1 million was included in other liabilities and $0.9 million was included in deferred costs and other assets.

We are also exposed to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on financial instruments which are denominated in foreign currencies, primarily in Japan and Europe. We use currency forward contracts and foreign currency denominated debt to manage our exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates on certain Yen and Euro-denominated receivables and net investments. Currency forward contracts involve fixing the Yen:USD or Euro:USD exchange rate for delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified date. The currency forward contracts are typically cash settled in U.S. dollars for their fair value at or close to their settlement date.

As of December 31, 2015, we had no outstanding Yen:USD forward contracts. Approximately ¥14.7 million remained as of December 31, 2014 for our Yen forward contracts that matured on January 5, 2015. The December 31, 2014 asset balance related to these forward contracts was $0.1 million and was included in deferred costs and other assets. We have reported the changes in fair value for these forward contracts in earnings. The underlying currency adjustments on the foreign currency denominated receivables are also reported in income and generally offset the amounts in earnings for these forward contracts.

In the third quarter of 2014, we entered into Euro:USD forward contracts, which were designated as net investment hedges, with an aggregate €150.0 million notional value which mature through August 11, 2017. During the second quarter of 2015, one forward contract with a €50.0 million notional value was settled. The December 31, 2015 asset balance related to the remaining €100.0 million forward contracts was $26.0 million and is included in deferred costs and other assets. The December 31, 2014 asset balance related to these forward contracts was $19.1 million and is included in deferred costs and other assets. During the fourth quarter of 2015, we entered into a Euro:USD forward contract, which was designated as a net investment hedge, with an aggregate €50.0 million notional value that matures on May 15, 2019. The December 31, 2015 asset balance related to this forward contract was $1.8 million and is included in deferred costs and other assets. We apply hedge accounting to these forward contracts and report the changes in fair value in other comprehensive income (loss). Changes in the value of these forward contracts are offset by changes in the underlying hedged Euro-denominated joint venture investment.

The total gross accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our derivative activities, including our share of the other comprehensive loss from joint venture properties, approximated $17.7 million and $45.8 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-08, "Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." ASU 2014-08 changes the definition of a discontinued operation to include only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. ASU 2014-08 became effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014, but could be early-adopted. We early adopted ASU 2014-08 in the first quarter of 2014 and are applying the revised definition to all disposals on a prospective basis, including the spin-off of Washington Prime. ASU 2014-08 also requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue From Contracts With Customers." ASU 2014-09 amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition and is based on principles that govern the recognition of revenue at an amount an entity expects to be entitled when products are transferred to customers. In July 2015, the FASB delayed the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year, which will result in the new standard being effective for us beginning with the first quarter of 2018. The new standard can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact adopting the new accounting standard (and the transition method of such adoption) will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, "Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis." ASU 2015-02 makes changes to both the variable interest model and the voting model. This guidance becomes effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. All reporting entities involved with limited partnerships will have to re-evaluate whether these entities qualify for consolidation and revise documentation accordingly. We are currently evaluating the impact adopting the new accounting standard will have on our consolidated financial statements, but we do not currently believe it will result in material changes to our previous consolidation conclusions.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. ASU 2015-03 will be effective for us retrospectively beginning in the first quarter of 2016. We expect this new guidance will reduce total assets and total mortgage and unsecured indebtedness on our consolidated balance sheets for amounts classified as deferred costs specific to debt issuance costs. We do not expect this guidance to have any other effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, "Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments," which requires adjustments to provisional amounts used in business combinations during the measurement period to be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. It also requires the disclosure of the impact on changes in estimates on earnings, depreciation, amortization and other income effects. ASU 2015-16 will be effective beginning January 1, 2016. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments — Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," which will require entities to measure their investments at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income unless the investments qualify for the new practicability exception. The practicability exception will be available for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values. The guidance will be effective for us beginning with the first quarter of 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Noncontrolling Interests

Details of the carrying amount of our noncontrolling interests are as follows as of December 31:

	2015		2014
Limited partners' interests in the Operating Partnership	$	741,449	$	858,557
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests (deficit) in properties, net		3,456		(229	)

Total noncontrolling interests reflected in equity	$	744,905	$	858,328

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (which includes nonredeemable noncontrolling interests in consolidated properties, limited partners' interests in the Operating Partnership, redeemable noncontrolling interests in consolidated properties, and preferred distributions payable by the Operating Partnership on its outstanding preferred units) is a component of consolidated net income. In addition, the individual components of other comprehensive income (loss) are presented in the aggregate for both controlling and noncontrolling interests, with the portion attributable to noncontrolling interests deducted from comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders.

A rollforward of noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

	2015			2014			2013
Noncontrolling interests, beginning of period	$	858,328		$	973,226		$	982,486
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests after preferred distributions and income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests in consolidated properties		309,740			241,023			221,176
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders		(318,780	)		(290,705	)		(242,881	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) allocable to noncontrolling interests:
Unrealized gain on derivative hedge agreements		2,543			617			1,057
Net (gain) loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings		(9,925	)		1,568			1,317
Currency translation adjustments		(22,749	)		(14,858	)		426
Changes in available-for-sale securities and other		(1,803	)		14,945			(213	)

		(31,934	)		2,272			2,587

Adjustment to limited partners' interest from change in ownership in the Operating Partnership		(101,480	)		(211,657	)		(29,615	)
Units issued to limited partners		—			84,910			—
Units exchanged for common shares		(7,942	)		(1,297	)		(11,161	)
Units redeemed		(14,843	)		(1,463	)		—
Long-term incentive performance units		47,279			49,938			45,341
Contributions by noncontrolling interest holders, net and other		4,537			12,081			5,293

Noncontrolling interests, end of period	$	744,905		$	858,328		$	973,226

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The changes in components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following net of noncontrolling interest as of December 31, 2015:

	Currency translation adjustments			Accumulated derivative losses, net			Net unrealized gains on marketable securities			Total
Beginning balance	$	(110,722	)	$	(39,161	)	$	88,842		$	(61,041	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(137,563	)		14,579			(9,397	)		(132,381	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		—			9,421			(68,685	)		(59,264	)

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(137,563	)		24,000			(78,082	)		(191,645	)

Ending balance	$	(248,285	)	$	(15,161	)	$	10,760		$	(252,686	)

The reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

	December 31, 2015			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
Details about accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components:	Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			Affected line item in the statement where net income is presented
Accumulated derivative losses, net
	$	(10,998	)	$	(10,789	)	$	(9,205	)	Interest expense
		1,577			1,568			1,317		Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

	$	(9,421	)	$	(9,221	)	$	(7,888	)


Realized gain on sale of marketable securities	$	80,187		$	—		$	—		Other income
		(11,502	)		—			—		Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

	$	68,685		$	—		$	—

Revenue Recognition

We, as a lessor, retain substantially all of the risks and benefits of ownership of the investment properties and account for our leases as operating leases. We accrue minimum rents on a straight-line basis over the terms of their respective leases. Substantially all of our retail tenants are also required to pay overage rents based on sales over a stated base amount during the lease year. We recognize overage rents only when each tenant's sales exceed the applicable sales threshold. We amortize any tenant inducements as a reduction of revenue utilizing the straight-line method over the term of the related lease or occupancy term of the tenant, if shorter.

We structure our leases to allow us to recover a significant portion of our property operating, real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance, and advertising and promotion expenses from our tenants. A substantial portion of our leases, other than those for anchor stores, require the tenant to reimburse us for a substantial portion of our operating expenses, including common area maintenance, or CAM, real estate taxes and insurance. This significantly reduces our exposure to increases in costs and operating expenses resulting from inflation. Such property operating expenses typically include utility, insurance, security, janitorial, landscaping, food court and other administrative expenses. As of December 31, 2015 for substantially all of our leases in the U.S. mall portfolio, we receive a fixed payment from the tenant for the CAM component which is recognized as revenue when earned. When not reimbursed by the fixed-CAM component, CAM expense reimbursements are based on the tenant's proportionate share of the allocable operating expenses and CAM capital expenditures for the property. We also receive escrow payments for these reimbursements from substantially all our non-fixed CAM tenants and monthly fixed CAM payments throughout the year. We accrue reimbursements from tenants for recoverable portions of all these expenses as revenue in the period the applicable expenditures are incurred. We recognize differences between estimated recoveries and the final billed amounts in the subsequent year. These differences were not material in any period presented. Our advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred.

Management Fees and Other Revenues

Management fees and other revenues are generally received from our unconsolidated joint venture properties as well as third parties. Management fee revenue is earned based on a contractual percentage of joint venture property revenue. Development fee revenue is earned on a contractual percentage of hard costs to develop a property. Leasing fee revenue is earned on a contractual per square foot charge based on the square footage of current year leasing activity. We recognize revenue for these services provided when earned based on the underlying activity.

Revenues from insurance premiums charged to unconsolidated properties are recognized on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies. Insurance losses on these policies and our self-insurance for our consolidated properties are reflected in property operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and include estimates for losses incurred but not reported as well as losses pending settlement. Estimates for losses are based on evaluations by third-party actuaries and management's estimates. Total insurance reserves for our insurance subsidiaries and other self-insurance programs as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 approximated $88.1 million and $93.5 million, respectively, and are included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Information related to the securities included in the investment portfolio of our captive insurance subsidiaries is included within the "Marketable and Non-Marketable Securities" section above.

Allowance for Credit Losses

We record a provision for credit losses based on our judgment of a tenant's creditworthiness, ability to pay and probability of collection. In addition, we also consider the retail sector in which the tenant operates and our historical collection experience in cases of bankruptcy, if applicable. Accounts are written off when they are deemed to be no longer collectible. Presented below is the activity in the allowance for credit losses during the following years:

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014			2013
Balance, beginning of period	$	33,282		$	32,681		$	29,263
Provision for credit losses		6,635			12,001			7,165
Accounts written off, net of recoveries		(9,823	)		(11,400	)		(3,747	)

Balance, end of period	$	30,094		$	33,282		$	32,681

Income Taxes

We and certain subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership have elected to be taxed as REITs under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable Treasury regulations relating to REIT qualification. In order to maintain this REIT status, the regulations require the entity to distribute at least 90% of REIT taxable income to its owners and meet certain other asset and income tests as well as other requirements. We intend to continue to adhere to these requirements and maintain our REIT status and that of the REIT subsidiaries. As REITs, these entities will generally not be liable for federal corporate income taxes as long as they distribute in excess of 100% of their REIT taxable income. Thus, we made no provision for federal income taxes for these entities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. If we or any of the REIT subsidiaries fail to qualify as a REIT, we or that entity will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates for the years in which it failed to qualify. If we lose our REIT status we could not elect to be taxed as a REIT for four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost unless our failure to qualify was due to reasonable cause and certain other conditions were satisfied.

We have also elected taxable REIT subsidiary, or TRS, status for some of our subsidiaries. This enables us to provide services that would otherwise be considered impermissible for REITs and participate in activities that do not qualify as "rents from real property". For these entities, deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is provided if we believe all or some portion of the deferred tax asset may not be realized. An increase or decrease in the valuation allowance that results from the change in circumstances that causes a change in our judgment about the realizability of the related deferred tax asset is included in income.

As of December 31, 2015 we had no net deferred tax asset or liability. As of December 31, 2014, we had a net deferred tax liability of $1.1 million related to our TRS subsidiaries. The net deferred tax liability is included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consists primarily of operating losses and other carryforwards for federal income tax purposes as well as the timing of the deductibility of losses or reserves from insurance subsidiaries. No valuation allowance has been recorded as we believe these amounts will be realized.

We are also subject to certain other taxes, including state and local taxes, franchise taxes, as well as income-based and withholding taxes on dividends from certain of our international investments, which are included in income and other taxes in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Corporate Expenses

Home and regional office costs primarily include compensation and personnel related costs, travel, building and office costs, and other expenses for our corporate home office and regional offices. General and administrative expense primarily includes executive compensation, benefits and travel expenses as well as costs of being a public company including certain legal costs, audit fees, regulatory fees, and certain other professional fees.