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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
References to “Xerox Holdings” refer to Xerox Holdings Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries while references to “Xerox” refer to Xerox Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. References herein to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” refer collectively to both Xerox Holdings and Xerox unless the context suggests otherwise. References to “Xerox Holdings Corporation” refer to the stand-alone parent company and do not include its subsidiaries. References to “Xerox Corporation” refer to the stand-alone company and do not include subsidiaries.
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes represent the respective consolidated results and financial results of Xerox Holdings and Xerox and all respective subsidiaries that each registrant directly or indirectly controls, either through majority ownership or otherwise. This is a combined report of Xerox Holdings and Xerox, which includes separate Consolidated Financial Statements for each registrant.
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements of both Xerox Holdings and Xerox have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the activity for both Xerox Holdings and Xerox for all periods presented, unless otherwise noted.
Description of Business
Currently, Xerox Holdings' primary direct operating subsidiary is Xerox and Xerox represents nearly all of Xerox Holdings' operations. Xerox is a global enterprise for document management solutions. We provide advanced document technology, services, software and genuine Xerox supplies for a range of customers including small and mid-size businesses, large enterprises, governments and graphic communications providers, and for our partners who serve them. We operate in approximately 160 countries worldwide.
Xerox Holdings' other direct operating subsidiary is CareAR, a small SaaS solutions provider, which was acquired for $9 in 2020.
Basis of Consolidation
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in business entities in which we do not have control, but we have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies (generally 20% to 50% ownership) are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Operating results of acquired businesses are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income from the date of acquisition.
We consolidate variable interest entities if we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the entity. Operating results for variable interest entities in which we are determined to be the primary beneficiary are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income from the date such determination is made.
For convenience and ease of reference, we refer to the financial statement caption “Income before Income Taxes and Equity Income” as “pre-tax income” throughout the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Discontinued Operations
In November 2019, Xerox Holdings completed a series of transactions to restructure its relationship with FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation (FH), including the sale of its indirect 25% equity interest in Fuji Xerox (FX) as well as the sale of its indirect 51% partnership interest in Xerox International Partners (XIP) (collectively the Sales). As a result of the Sales of FX and XIP and the related strategic shift in our business the historical financial results of our equity method investment in FX and our XIP business (which was consolidated) for the periods prior to the Sales are reflected as a discontinued operation and as such, their impact is excluded from continuing operations for all periods presented. The accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements have all been revised to reflect the effect of the Sales and all prior year balances have been revised accordingly to reflect continuing operations only. The historical statements of Comprehensive Income and Shareholders' Equity have not been revised to reflect the Sales and instead reflect the Sales as an adjustment to the balances at December 31, 2019. Refer to Note 6 - Divestitures for additional information regarding discontinued operations.
Prior Period Adjustments
In 2018, we determined that the Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) for our U.K. funded pension plan at December 31, 2017 was overstated by approximately GBP 40 million (approximately USD $53 or $43 after-tax). The error was the result of the plan administrator under-reporting benefit payments. The correction of the PBO was recorded as an out-of-period adjustment in 2018 with the offset to the balance sheet recorded as a credit to Changes in defined benefit plans, net in Other comprehensive income for the period. We assessed the impact of this error and concluded that it was not material to the financial statements previously issued for any interim or annual period and the correction was not material to the annual financial statements for 2018.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty; accordingly, our accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements will change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. Our estimates are based on management's best available information including current events, historical experience, actions that the company may undertake in the future and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. As a result, actual results may be different from these estimates.
In the ordinary course of accounting for the items discussed above, we make changes in estimates as appropriate and as we become aware of new or revised circumstances surrounding those estimates. Such changes and refinements in estimation methodologies are reflected in reported results of operations in the period in which the changes are made and, if material, their effects are disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
As of December 31, 2020, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold. As a result, many of our estimates and assumptions have required increased judgment and carry a higher degree of variability and volatility. As events continue to evolve and additional information becomes available, our estimates may change materially in the future.
New Accounting Standards and Accounting Changes
Except for the Accounting Standard Updates (ASUs) discussed below, the new ASUs issued by the FASB during the last two years did not have any significant impact on the Company.
Accounting Standard Updates to be Adopted:
Debt
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40). This update simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments by reducing the number of accounting models available for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. This update also amends the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity's own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions and requires the application of the if-converted method for calculating diluted earnings per share. This update is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2022. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on the Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
Reference Rate Reform
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or by another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The amendments are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. There has been no impact to date as a result of ASU 2020-04 and subsequent amendments on reference rate reform, however we continue to evaluate potential future impacts that may result from the discontinuation of LIBOR or other reference rates as well as the accounting provided in this update on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Income Taxes
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which was intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This update is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2021. Although we continue to evaluate the effects of this update on our Consolidated Financial Statements, at this stage we do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position, cash flows or disclosures.
Accounting Standard Updates Recently Adopted:
Leases
In April 2020, the FASB staff issued a question and answer (Q&A) document on the application of lease accounting guidance related to lease concessions provided as a result of the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (Topic 842 Q&A). Topic 842 Q&A provides interpretive guidance allowing companies the option to account for lease concessions related to the COVID-19 pandemic consistent with how those concessions would be accounted for under ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), discussed below, as though enforceable rights and obligations for those concessions existed at the beginning of the contract (regardless of whether those enforceable rights and obligations for the concessions explicitly exist in the contract). This interpretive guidance was issued in order to reduce the costs and complexities of applying lease modification accounting under Topic 842 to leases impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This election is available for concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that do not result in a substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee. We have elected to apply the interpretive guidance provided in Topic 842 Q&A to rent concessions related to the COVID-19 pandemic provided as a Lessor to our customers and as received as a Lessee.
Through September 30, 2020 we provided rent deferrals as a Lessor that were primarily offered to customers with sales type lease receivables. This special program was discontinued in the fourth quarter. We elected to account for the deferrals in the timing of lease payments as if there were no changes in the lease contracts. Under this approach, assuming that collectibility of future lease payments is still probable, the classification of the leases is not updated and we retain the balance of the deferral as a receivable and will settle that receivable at the revised payment date or dates. Through September 30, 2020, we approved payment deferrals of up to 3 months for approximately $33 or approximately 1% of our total finance receivable portfolio. Rent abatements to the extent provided were not material and were accounted for as write-offs as part of our normal bad debt reserve assessment.
With respect to rent deferrals and abatements received as a Lessee, we elected to account for the deferrals and abatements as a resolution of a contingency within the lease. Under this approach, we follow the resolution of a contingency model in ASC 842 without reclassifying the lease or updating the discount rate. We remeasure the remaining consideration in the contract, reallocate it to the lease and non-lease components as applicable, and remeasure the lease liability with an adjustment to the right-of-use asset for the same amount. If the total lease payments remain exactly the same, the lease cost remains unchanged. The impact of this election was not material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, as no rent concessions provided to Xerox in 2020 were material, individually or in the aggregate.
On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC Topic 842). This update, as well as additional amendments and targeted improvements issued in 2018 and early 2019, supersedes existing lease accounting guidance found under ASC 840, Leases (ASC 840) and requires the recognition of right-to-use assets and lease obligations by lessees for those leases originally classified as operating leases under prior lease guidance. Effective with the adoption, leases are classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition. Short-term leases with a term of 12 months or less are not required to be recognized. The update also requires qualitative and quantitative disclosure of key information regarding the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leasing arrangements to increase transparency and comparability among companies. The accounting for lessors does not fundamentally change with this update except for changes to conform and align guidance to the lessee guidance, as well as to the revenue recognition guidance in ASU 2014-09. Some of these conforming changes, such as those related to the definition of lease term and minimum lease payments, resulted in certain lease arrangements, that would have been previously accounted for as operating leases, to be classified and accounted for as sales-type leases with a corresponding up-front recognition of equipment sales revenue.
Upon adoption, we applied the transition option, whereby prior comparative periods are not retrospectively presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements. We also elected the package of practical expedients not to
reassess prior conclusions related to contracts containing leases, lease classification and initial direct costs and the lessee practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components for certain asset classes (real estate lease arrangements for offices and warehouses). Additionally, we made a policy election to not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases for all asset classes. We elected the package of practical expedients from both the Lessee and Lessor prospective, to the extent applicable.
Lessee accounting - the adoption of this update resulted in an increase to assets and related liabilities of approximately $385 (approximately $440 undiscounted) primarily related to leases of facilities. Refer to Note 11 - Lessee for additional information related to our lessee accounting.
Lessor accounting - the adoption of this update resulted in an increase to equipment sales by approximately $30 in 2019 as compared to 2018. Refer to Note 4 - Lessor for additional information related to our lessor accounting.
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses
On January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments Credit Losses - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This update was issued by the FASB in June 2016, with additional updates and amendments being issued in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets on an expected loss model rather than an incurred loss model. The update impacted financial assets including net investment in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through Net Income. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 primarily impacted the estimation of our Allowance for doubtful accounts for Accounts Receivable and Finance Receivables. The impact recorded on our initial adoption of ASU 2016-13 was not material as our previous methodology for assessing the adequacy of our Allowance for doubtful accounts for Finance Receivables, the larger component of our receivable reserves, incorporated an expected loss model and the methodology for both allowances included an assessment of current economic conditions. However, as previously disclosed, the future impact from this update is highly dependent on future economic conditions. Refer to Note 7 - Accounts Receivable, Net and Note 8 - Finance Receivables, Net for additional discussion regarding the impacts from the adoption of this update during the first quarter 2020.
Intangibles - Internal-Use Software
On January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40), Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. This update was issued by the FASB in August 2018 and aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The update provides criteria for determining which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset related to the service contract and which costs to expense. The capitalized implementation costs are required to be expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement. The update also clarifies the presentation requirements for reporting such costs in the entity’s financial statements. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows as we had previously capitalized these implementation costs and such amounts were not material.
Income Taxes
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. We adopted ASU 2018-02 effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2019 and upon adoption reclassified $127 from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) to Retained earnings related to the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act) enacted in December 2017. The reclassification was primarily related to the stranded tax effects associated with amounts in AOCL from our retirement-related benefit plans. Accordingly, the adoption of this update eliminated the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act. However, because the update only relates to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Act, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in Income from continuing operations is not affected.
Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606), which superseded nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASC Topic 606 is to recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. ASC Topic 606 defines a five-step process to recognize revenue and requires more judgment and estimates within the revenue recognition process than required under previous U.S. GAAP, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating
the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation.
We adopted this standard using the modified retrospective method of adoption and therefore we did not revise periods prior to adoption (e.g. 2017). Under ASC Topic 606, based on the nature of our contracts and consistent with prior practice, we recognize revenue upon invoicing the customer for the large majority of our revenue. Additionally, the unit of accounting, that is, the identification of performance obligations, is consistent with prior revenue recognition practice. Accordingly, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the large majority of our revenues. A significant portion of our Equipment sales are either recorded as sales-type leases or through direct sales to distributors and resellers and these revenue streams are not impacted by the adoption of ASC Topic 606. The only change of significance identified in our adoption involves a change in the classification of certain revenues that were previously reported in Services revenues. These revenues relate to certain analyst services performed in connection with the installation of equipment that are being considered part of the equipment sale performance obligation effective beginning January 1, 2018. Accordingly, these revenues are now reported as part of Sales.
Another change identified upon adoption was with respect to deferred contract costs, which include incremental costs of obtaining a contract and costs to fulfill a contract. Deferred contract costs had been minimal under our prior practices as most costs to obtain a contract and fulfill a contract were expensed as incurred. However, as a result of the contract cost guidance included in ASC Topic 606 and ASC Topic 340-40 "Contracts with Customers", upon adoption on January 1, 2018, we recorded a transition asset of $153, and a net of tax increase of $117 to Retained earnings, related to the incremental cost to obtain contracts. Substantially all of this adjustment is related to the deferral of sales commissions paid to sales people and agents in connection with the placement of equipment with post sale service arrangements. The impact to the Statement of Income from this change is not material.
Other Updates
The FASB also issued the following Accounting Standards Updates, which have not had, and are not expected to have, a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows upon adoption. Those updates are as follows:
Investments: ASU 2020-01, Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). This update is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2021.
Compensation - Stock Compensation and Revenue from Contracts with Customers: ASU 2019-08, (Topic 718) and (Topic 606) Codification Improvements - Share-Based Consideration Payable to a Customer. This update was effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020.
Collaborative Arrangements: ASU 2018-18, (Topic 808) Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606. This update was effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020.
Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General: ASU 2018-14, (Topic 715-20) Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. We elected to early adopt this update effective for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Refer to Note 19 - Employee Benefit Plans for changes in the disclosures for our Defined Benefit Plans.
Fair Value Measurement: ASU 2018-13, (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework. This update was effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2020.
Summary of Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition
We generate revenue through the sale of equipment, supplies and maintenance and printing services. Revenue is measured based on consideration specified in a contract with a customer and is recognized when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control of a product to a customer or in the period the customer benefits from the service. With the exception of our sales-type lease arrangements, our invoices to the customer, which normally have short-term payment terms, are typically aligned to the transfer of goods or as services are rendered to our customers and therefore in most cases we recognize revenue based on our right to invoice customers. As a result of the application of this practical expedient for the substantial portion of our revenue, the disclosure of the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for our services is not required.
Significant judgments primarily include the identification of performance obligations in our Document management services arrangements as well the pattern of delivery for those services.
More specifically, revenue related to our products and services is generally recognized as follows:
Equipment: Revenues from the sale of equipment directly to end customers, including those from sales-type leases (see below), are recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied and control has been transferred to the customer. For equipment placements that require us to install the product at the customer location, revenue is normally recognized when the equipment has been delivered and installed at the customer location. Sales of customer installable products are recognized upon shipment or receipt by the customer according to the customer's shipping terms. Revenue from the equipment performance obligation also includes certain analyst training services performed in connection with the installation or delivery of the equipment.
Maintenance services: We provide maintenance agreements on our equipment that include service and supplies for which the customer may pay a base minimum plus a price-per-page charge for usage. In arrangements that include minimums, those minimums are normally set below the customer’s estimated page volumes and are not considered substantive. These agreements are sold as part of a bundled lease arrangement or through distributors and resellers. We normally account for these maintenance agreements as a single performance obligation for printing services being delivered in a series with delivery being measured by usage as billed to the customer. Accordingly, revenue on these agreements are normally recognized as billed to the customer over the term of the agreements based on page volumes. A substantial portion of our products are sold with full service maintenance agreements, accordingly, other than the product warranty obligations associated with certain of our entry level products, we do not have any significant warranty obligations, including any obligations under customer satisfaction programs.
Document management services: Revenues associated with our document management services are generally recognized as printing services are rendered, which is generally on the basis of the number of images produced. Revenues on unit-price contracts are recognized at the contractual selling prices as work is completed by the customer. We account for these arrangements as a single performance obligation for printing services being delivered in a series with delivery being measured by usage as billed to the customer.
Our services contracts may also include the sale or lease of equipment and software. In these instances, we follow the policies noted for Equipment or Software Revenues and separately report the revenue associated with these performance obligations. Certain document management services arrangements may also include an embedded lease of equipment. In these instances, the revenues associated with the lease are recognized in accordance with the requirements for lease accounting.
Sales to distributors and resellers: We utilize distributors and resellers to sell our equipment, supplies and maintenance services to end-user customers. We refer to our distributor and reseller network as our two-tier distribution model. Revenues on sales to distributors and resellers are generally recognized when products are shipped to such distributors and resellers. However, revenue is only recognized when the distributor or reseller has economic substance apart from the Company such that collectability is probable and we have no further obligations related to bringing about the resale, delivery or installation of the product that would impact transfer of control. Revenues associated with maintenance agreements sold through distributors and resellers to end customers are recognized in a consistent manner for maintenance services. Revenue that may be subject to a reversal of revenue due to contractual terms or uncertainties is not recorded as revenue until the contractual provisions lapse or the uncertainties are resolved.
Distributors and resellers participate in various rebate, price-protection, cooperative marketing and other programs. We estimate the variable consideration associated with these programs and record those amounts as a reduction to revenue when the sales occur. Similarly, we account for our estimates of sales returns and other allowances when the sales occur based on our historical experience.
In certain instances, we may provide lease financing to end-user customers who purchased equipment we sold to distributors or resellers. We are not obligated to provide financing and we compete with other third-party leasing companies with respect to the lease financing provided to these end-user customers.
Software: Most of our equipment has both software and non-software components that function together to deliver the equipment's essential functionality and therefore they are accounted for together as part of Equipment sales revenues. Software accessories sold in connection with our Equipment sales, as well as free-standing software sales, are accounted for as separate performance obligations if determined to be material in relation to the overall arrangement. Revenue from software is not a significant component of our Total revenues.
Supplies: Supplies revenue is recognized upon transfer of control to the customer, generally upon utilization or shipment to the customer in accordance with the sales contract terms.
Financing: Finance income attributable to sales-type leases, direct financing leases and installment loans is recognized on the accrual basis using the effective interest method.
Bundled Lease Arrangements: A significant portion of our direct sales of equipment to end customers are made through bundled lease arrangements that typically include equipment, maintenance and financing components for which the customer pays a single negotiated fixed minimum monthly payment for all elements over the contractual lease term. These arrangements also typically include an incremental, variable component for page volumes in excess of contractual page volume minimums, which are often expressed in terms of price-per-page. The fixed minimum monthly payments are multiplied by the number of months in the contract term to arrive at the total fixed minimum payments that the customer is obligated to make (fixed payments) over the lease term. In applying our lease accounting methodology, we only consider the fixed payments for purposes of allocating to the relative fair value elements of the contract.
Revenues under bundled arrangements are allocated considering the relative standalone selling prices of the lease and non-lease deliverables included in the bundled arrangement. Lease deliverables include the equipment, financing, maintenance and other executory costs, while non-lease deliverables generally consist of the supplies and non-maintenance services. The allocation for the lease deliverables begins by allocating revenues to the maintenance and other executory costs plus a profit thereon. These elements are generally recognized over the term of the lease as service revenue. The remaining amounts are allocated to the equipment and financing elements, which are subjected to the accounting estimates noted below under “Leases”.
Leases: The two primary lease accounting provisions we assess for the classification of transactions as sales-type or operating leases are: (1) a review of the lease term to determine if it is equal to or greater than 75% of the economic life of the equipment and (2) a review of the present value of the minimum lease payments to determine if they are equal to or greater than 90% of the fair market value of the equipment at the inception of the lease. Equipment placements included in arrangements meeting these conditions are accounted for as sales-type leases and revenue is recognized as noted above for Equipment. Equipment placements included in arrangements that do not meet these conditions are accounted for as operating leases and revenue is recognized over the term of the lease.
We consider the economic life of most of our products to be five years, since this represents the most frequent contractual lease term for our principal products and only a small percentage of our leases are for original terms longer than five years. There is no significant after-market for our used equipment. We believe five years is representative of the period during which the equipment is expected to be economically usable, with normal service, for the purpose for which it is intended. Residual values are not significant.
With respect to fair value, we perform an analysis of equipment fair value based on cash selling prices during the applicable period. The cash selling prices are compared to the range of values determined for our leases. The range of cash selling prices must be reasonably consistent with the lease selling prices in order for us to determine that such lease prices are indicative of fair value.
Our lease pricing interest rates, which are used in determining customer payments in a bundled lease arrangement, are developed based upon a variety of factors including local prevailing rates in the marketplace and the customer’s credit history, industry and credit class. We reassess our pricing interest rates quarterly based on changes in the local prevailing rates in the marketplace. These interest rates have generally been adjusted if the rates vary by 25 basis points or more, cumulatively, from the rate last in effect. The pricing interest rates generally equal the implicit rates within the leases, as corroborated by our comparisons of cash to lease selling prices.
Note: The above two revenue recognition policies apply to 2018 only and were updated as a result of our adoption of ASC Topic 842 effective January 1, 2019. Refer to Note 4 - Lessor for the updated policies.
Other Revenue Recognition Policies
Revenue-based Taxes: Revenue-based taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transactions, and that are collected by the Company from a customer, are excluded from revenue. The primary revenue-based taxes are sales tax and value-added tax (VAT).
Shipping and Handling: Shipping and handling costs are accounted for as a fulfillment cost and are included in Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Refer to Note 2 - Revenue for additional information regarding revenue recognition policies with respect to contract assets and liabilities as well as contract costs.
Other Significant Accounting Policies
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, including money market funds, and investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Receivable Sales
We transfer certain portions of our receivable portfolios and normally account for those transfers as sales based on meeting the criteria for derecognition in accordance with ASC Topic 860 "Transfer and Servicing" of Financial Assets. Gains or losses on the sale of receivables depend, in part, on both (a) the cash proceeds and (b) the net non-cash proceeds received or paid. When we sell receivables, we normally receive beneficial interests in the transferred receivables from the purchasers as part of the proceeds. We may refer to these beneficial interests as a deferred purchase price. The beneficial interests obtained are initially measured at their fair value. We generally estimate fair value based on the present value of expected future cash flows, which are calculated using management's best estimates of the key assumptions including credit losses, prepayment rate and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. Refer to Note 7 - Accounts Receivable, Net for additional information on our receivable sales.
Inventories
Inventories are carried at the lower of average cost or net realizable value. Inventories also include equipment that is returned at the end of the lease term. Returned equipment is recorded at the lower of remaining net book value or salvage value, which is normally not significant. We regularly review inventory quantities and record a provision for excess and/or obsolete inventory based primarily on our estimated forecast of product demand, production requirements and servicing commitments. Several factors may influence the realizability of our inventories, including our decision to exit a product line, technological changes and new product development. The provision for excess and/or obsolete raw materials and equipment inventories is based primarily on near-term forecasts of product demand and include consideration of new product introductions, as well as changes in remanufacturing strategies. The provision for excess and/or obsolete service parts inventory is based primarily on projected servicing requirements over the life of the related equipment populations. Refer to Note 9 - Inventories and Equipment on Operating Leases, Net for further discussion.
Land, Buildings and Equipment on Operating Leases
Land, buildings and equipment are recorded at cost. Buildings and equipment are depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life. Equipment on operating leases is depreciated to estimated salvage value over the lease term. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. Significant improvements are capitalized and maintenance and repairs are expensed. Refer to Note 9 - Inventories and Equipment on Operating Leases, Net and Note 10 - Land, Buildings, Equipment and Software, Net for further discussion.
Leased Assets
We lease buildings and equipment, substantially all of which are accounted for as operating leases. Refer to Note 11- Lessee for accounting policies with respect to leased assets and the adoption of ASC Topic 842.
Software - Internal Use and Product
We capitalize direct costs associated with developing, purchasing or otherwise acquiring software for internal use and amortize these costs on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of the software, beginning when the software is implemented (Internal Use Software). Costs incurred for upgrades and enhancements that will not result in additional functionality are expensed as incurred. Amounts expended for Internal Use Software are included in Cash Flows from Investing.
We also capitalize certain costs related to the development of software solutions to be sold to our customers upon reaching technological feasibility (Product Software). These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated economic life of the software. Amounts expended for Product Software are included in Cash Flows from Operations. We perform periodic reviews to ensure that unamortized Product Software costs remain recoverable from estimated future operating profits (net realizable value or NRV). Costs to support or service licensed software are charged to Costs of services as incurred. Refer to Note 10 - Land, Buildings, Equipment and Software, Net for further information.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired net assets in a business combination, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. The primary drivers that generate goodwill are the value of synergies between the acquired entities and the company and the acquired assembled workforce, neither of which qualifies as an identifiable intangible asset. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable and an impairment loss may have been incurred.
We normally assess goodwill for impairment at least annually, during the fourth quarter based on balances as of October 1st, and more frequently if indicators of impairment exist or if a decision is made to sell or exit a business. Impairment testing for goodwill is done at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (a component) if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available, and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. Consistent with the determination that we had one operating segment, we determined that there is one reporting unit and tested goodwill for impairment at the entity level.
We perform an assessment of goodwill, utilizing either a qualitative or quantitative impairment test. The qualitative impairment test assesses several factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the entity is less than its carrying amount. If we conclude it is more likely than not that the fair value of the entity is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative fair value test is performed. In certain circumstances, we may also bypass the qualitative test and proceed directly to a quantitative impairment test. In a quantitative impairment test, we assess goodwill by comparing the carrying amount of the entity to its fair value. Fair value of the entity is determined by using a weighted combination of an income approach and a market approach. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and we would recognize an impairment loss for the excess.
In the second quarter 2020, as a result of the continued negative financial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic on our current and near-term future operations, the expected slower recovery during the latter half of 2020 as businesses return to their respective offices, as well as a sustained market capitalization below our book value, we determined there was a triggering event requiring an interim quantitative evaluation of Goodwill. After completing our interim impairment review, we concluded that Goodwill was not impaired in the second quarter 2020. Although business performance improved in the second half of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to have a significant impact on the Company’s revenues, expenses, cash flows and market capitalization in 2020. As result of these impacts as well as related macroeconomic and industry factors we elected to utilize a quantitative model for the assessment of the recoverability of our goodwill balance for our annual fourth quarter 2020 impairment test. After completing our annual quantitative impairment review in the fourth quarter 2020, we concluded that Goodwill was not impaired.
Other intangible assets primarily consist of assets obtained in connection with business acquisitions, including installed customer base and distribution network relationships, existing technology, trademarks and non-compete agreements. We apply an impairment evaluation whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our intangible assets may not be recoverable. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives. We believe that the straight-line method of amortization reflects an appropriate allocation of the cost of the intangible assets to earnings in proportion to the amount of economic benefits obtained annually by the Company. Refer to Note 13 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net for further information.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We review the recoverability of our long-lived assets, including buildings, equipment, right-of-use leased assets, internal use software and other intangible assets, when events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. The assessment of possible impairment is based on our ability to recover the carrying value of the asset from the expected future pre-tax cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) of the related operations. If these cash flows are less than the carrying value of such asset, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between estimated fair value and carrying value. Our primary measure of fair value is based on discounted cash flows. Long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Long-lived assets to be disposed of other than by sale (e.g., by abandonment, cease-use) would continue to be classified as held and used until the long-lived asset is disposed of (e.g. abandoned or when asset ceases to be used).
Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Obligations
We sponsor various forms of defined benefit pension plans in several countries covering employees who meet eligibility requirements. Retiree health benefit plans cover U.S. and Canadian employees for retiree medical costs. We employ a delayed recognition feature in measuring the costs of pension and post-retirement benefit plans. This requires changes in the benefit obligations and changes in the value of assets set aside to meet those obligations to be recognized not as they occur, but systematically and gradually over subsequent periods. All changes are ultimately recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost, except to the extent they may be offset by subsequent changes. At any point, changes that have been identified and quantified but not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost are recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax.
Several statistical and other factors that attempt to anticipate future events are used in calculating the expense, liability and asset values related to our pension and retiree health benefit plans. These factors include assumptions we make about the discount rate, expected return on plan assets, cash balance interest-crediting rate, rate of increase in healthcare costs, the rate of future compensation increases and mortality. Actual returns on plan assets are not immediately recognized in our income statement due to the delayed recognition requirement. In calculating the expected return on the plan asset component of our net periodic pension cost, we apply our estimate of the long-term rate of return on the plan assets that support our pension obligations, after deducting assets that are specifically allocated to Transitional Retirement Accounts (which are accounted for based on specific plan terms).
For purposes of determining the expected return on plan assets, we utilize a market-related value approach in determining the value of the pension plan assets, rather than a fair market value approach. The primary difference between the two methods relates to systematic recognition of changes in fair value over time (generally two years) versus immediate recognition of changes in fair value. Our expected rate of return on plan assets is applied to the market-related asset value to determine the amount of the expected return on plan assets to be used in the determination of the net periodic pension cost. The market-related value approach reduces the volatility in net periodic pension cost that would result from using the fair market value approach.
The discount rate is used to present value our future anticipated benefit obligations. The discount rate reflects the current rate at which benefit liabilities could be effectively settled considering the timing of expected payments for plan participants. In estimating our discount rate, we consider rates of return on high-quality fixed-income investments adjusted to eliminate the effects of call provisions, as well as the expected timing of pension and other benefit payments.
Each year, the difference between the actual return on plan assets and the expected return on plan assets, as well as increases or decreases in the benefit obligation as a result of changes in the discount rate and other actuarial assumptions, are added to or subtracted from any cumulative actuarial gain or loss from prior years. This amount is the net actuarial gain or loss recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. We amortize net actuarial gains and losses as a component of net pension cost for a year if, as of the beginning of the year, that net gain or loss (excluding asset gains or losses that have not been recognized in market-related value) exceeds 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of plan assets (the corridor method). This determination is made on a plan-by-plan basis. If amortization is required for a particular plan, we amortize the applicable net gain or loss in excess of the 10% threshold on a straight-line basis in net periodic pension cost over the remaining service period of the employees participating in that pension plan. In plans where substantially all participants are inactive, the amortization period for the excess is the average remaining life expectancy of the plan participants.
Our primary domestic plans allow participants the option of settling their vested benefits through the receipt of a lump-sum payment. The participant's vested benefit is considered fully settled upon payment of the lump sum. We have elected to apply settlement accounting and therefore we recognize the losses associated with settlements in this plan immediately upon the settlement of the vested benefits. Settlement accounting requires us to recognize a pro rata portion of the aggregate unamortized net actuarial losses upon settlement. The pro rata factor is computed as the percentage reduction in the projected benefit obligation due to the settlement of the participant's vested benefit. Refer to Note 19 - Employee Benefit Plans for further information regarding our Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Obligations.
Research, Development and Engineering (RD&E)
Research, development and engineering costs are expensed as incurred. Sustaining engineering costs are incurred with respect to on-going product improvements or environmental compliance after initial product launch. Sustaining engineering costs were $54, $62 and $72 in for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Government Grants/Assistance
Government grants related to income are recognized as a reduction of related expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income when there is a reasonable assurance that the entity will comply with the conditions attached to the grant and that the grants will be received. The timing and pattern of recognition of government grants is made on a systematic basis over the periods in which the Company recognizes the related expenses or losses that the grants are intended to compensate.
Foreign Currency Translation and Remeasurement
The functional currency for most of our foreign operations is the local currency. Net assets are translated at current rates of exchange and income, expense and cash flow items are translated at average exchange rates for the applicable period. The translation adjustments are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
The U.S. Dollar is used as the functional currency for certain foreign subsidiaries that conduct their business in U.S. Dollars as well as foreign subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary economies. For these subsidiaries, non-monetary foreign currency assets and liabilities are translated using historical rates, while monetary assets and liabilities are translated at current rates, with the U.S. dollar effects of rate changes recorded in Currency (gains) and losses within Other expenses, net together with other foreign currency remeasurements.