NOTE 1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

General

The Howard Hughes Corporation’s (“HHC” or the “Company”) mission is to be the preeminent developer and operator of Master Planned Communities (MPCs) and mixed‑use properties. We specialize in the development of master planned communities, the development of residential condominiums, and the ownership, management and development or repositioning of real estate assets currently generating revenues, also called operating assets, as well as other strategic real estate opportunities in the form of entitled and unentitled land and other development rights, also called strategic developments. We are a Delaware corporation that was formed on July 1, 2010. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us” and “our” refer to HHC and its subsidiaries.

Management has evaluated all material events occurring subsequent to the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements up to the date and time this Annual Report is filed and concluded there were no events or transactions occurring during this period that required recognition or disclosure in the financial statements other than mentioned herein.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), with all intercompany balances eliminated. The presentation includes the accounts of the Company, and those entities in which we have a controlling financial interest. The Company also consolidates certain variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810 Consolidation (“ASC 810”). The outside equity interests in certain entities controlled by the Company are reflected in the consolidated financial statements as a noncontrolling interest.

We have reclassified straight-line rent receivables of $31.5 million and $22.2 million from Accounts receivable to Prepaid expenses and other assets, net as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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 periods. The estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, revenue recognition accounted for under the percentage of completion method, capitalization of development costs, provision for income taxes, recoverable amounts of receivables and deferred tax assets, initial valuations of tangible and intangible assets acquired and the related useful lives of assets upon which depreciation and amortization is based. Estimates and assumptions have also been made with respect to future revenues and costs, the fair value of warrants, debt and options granted. Actual results could differ from these and other estimates.

Segments

Segment information is prepared on the same basis that management reviews information for operational decision-making purposes. Management evaluates the performance of each of our real estate assets or investments individually and aggregates such properties into segments based on their economic characteristics and types of revenue streams. We operate in three business segments: (i) MPCs; (ii) Operating Assets; and (iii) Strategic Developments.

Investment in Real Estate

Master Planned Community Assets, Land, Buildings and Equipment

Real estate assets are stated at cost less any provisions for impairments. Expenditures for significant improvements to our assets are capitalized. Tenant improvements relating to our operating assets are capitalized and depreciated over the shorter of their economic lives or the lease term. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense when incurred.

We periodically review the estimated useful lives of properties. Depreciation or amortization expense is computed using the straight‑line method based upon the following estimated useful lives:


Asset Type		Years
Buildings and improvements		10 - 45
Equipment, tenant improvements and fixtures		5 - 10
Computer hardware and software, and vehicles		3 - 5

From time to time, we may reassess the development strategies for certain buildings and improvements which results in changes to our estimate of their remaining useful lives. As a result, we recognized an additional $1.0 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, $17.1 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, and $10.8 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, in depreciation expense during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, due to the change in useful lives of these buildings and improvements. Fewer assets had a reduction in useful lives, resulting in less accelerated depreciation expense in the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to 2015. The increased depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014 was caused by development plans which included the demolition of certain pre-existing buildings and improvements, thereby resulting in a reduction to their useful lives.

Developments

Development costs, which primarily include direct costs related to placing the asset in service associated with specific development properties, are capitalized as part of the property being developed.

Construction and improvement costs incurred in connection with the development of new properties or the redevelopment of existing properties are capitalized before they are placed into service. Costs include direct material, labor and subcontract costs. Real estate taxes, utilities, legal and professional fees, interest, insurance costs and certain employee costs incurred during construction periods are also capitalized. Capitalized interest costs are based on qualified expenditures and interest rates in place during the construction period. Demolition costs associated with these redevelopments are expensed as incurred. Once the assets are placed into service, they are depreciated in accordance with our policy. In the event that management no longer has the ability or intent to complete a development, the costs previously capitalized are evaluated for impairment.

Our Developments consist of the following categories:


	December 31,
(In thousands)	2016		2015
Land and improvements	$	188,544	$	182,843
Development costs		567,650		728,984
Condominium projects		205,786		125,100
Total Developments	$	961,980	$	1,036,927

Investment in Real Estate and Other Affiliates

In the ordinary course of business, we enter into partnerships or joint ventures primarily for the development and operation of real estate assets which are referred to as “Real Estate and Other Affiliates”. These partnerships or joint ventures are typically characterized by a non‑controlling ownership interest with decision making and distribution of expected gains and losses being generally proportionate to the ownership interest. We evaluate these partnerships and joint ventures for consolidation in accordance with ASC 810.

We assess our joint ventures at inception to determine if any meet the qualifications of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). We consider a partnership or joint venture a VIE if: (a) the total equity investment is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support; (b) characteristics of a controlling financial interest are missing (either the ability to make decisions through voting or other rights, the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity or the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity); or (c) the voting rights of the equity holders are not proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity and/or their rights to receive the expected residual returns of the entity, and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights. Upon the occurrence of certain events outlined in ASC 810, we reassess our initial determination of whether the partnership or joint venture is a VIE.

We also perform a qualitative assessment of each VIE to determine if we are the primary beneficiary. Under ASC 810, a company concludes that it is the primary beneficiary and consolidates the VIE if the company has both (a) the power to direct the economically significant activities of the entity and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The company considers the contractual agreements that define the ownership structure, distribution of profits and losses, risks, responsibilities, indebtedness, voting rights and board representation of the respective parties in determining if the company is the primary beneficiary. As required by ASC 810, management’s assessment of whether the company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE is continuously performed.

We account for VIEs for which we are not considered to be the primary beneficiary, but have significant influence, using the equity method and investments in VIEs where we do not have significant influence on the joint venture’s operating and financial policies using the cost method.

We account for investments in joint ventures where we own a non‑controlling interest using the equity method, and investments in joint ventures where we have virtually no influence on the joint venture’s operating and financial policies using the cost method. For cost method investments, we recognize earnings to the extent of distributions received from such investments.

Under the equity method, the cost of our investment is adjusted for our share of the equity in earnings or losses of such Real Estate Affiliates from the date of investment and reduced by distributions received. Generally, the operating agreements with respect to our Real Estate and Other Affiliates provide that assets, liabilities and funding obligations are shared in accordance with our ownership percentages. We generally also share in the profit and losses, cash flows and other matters relating to our Real Estate Affiliates in accordance with our respective ownership percentages. For certain equity method investments, when the preferences on profit sharing on liquidation rights and priorities differ from the ownership percentages, we consider ASC 970 and apply the Hypothetical Liquidation Book Value (“HLBV”) method. Under this method, we recognize income or loss based on the change in our underlying share of the venture’s net assets on a hypothetical liquidation basis as of the reporting date.

Acquisitions of Properties

We account for the acquisition of real estate properties constituting a business in accordance with ASC 805 Business Combinations (“ASC 805”). This methodology requires that assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at their fair values on the date of acquisition.

Costs directly related to purchase of land or other property acquisitions are considered additions to the purchase price and increase the cost basis recorded for the Investment in Real Estate. Acquisition costs related to the acquisition of a business are expensed as incurred.

The fair value of tangible assets of an acquired property (which includes land, buildings, and improvements) is determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, and the “as-if-vacant” value is then allocated to land, buildings and improvements based on management’s determination of the fair value of these assets. The “as-if-vacant” values are derived from several sources which primarily include a discounted cash flow analysis using discount and capitalization rates based on recent comparable market transactions, where available.

The fair value of acquired intangible assets consisting of in-place, above-market and below-market leases is recorded based on a variety of considerations. In-place lease considerations include, but are not necessarily limited to: (1) the value associated with avoiding the cost of originating the acquired in-place leases (i.e., the market cost to execute a lease, including leasing commissions and tenant improvements); (2) the value associated with lost revenue related to tenant reimbursable operating costs incurred during the assumed lease-up period (i.e., real estate taxes, insurance and certain other operating expenses); and (3) the value associated with lost rental revenue from existing leases during the assumed lease-up period. Above-market and below-market leases are valued at the present value, using a discount rate that reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired, of the difference between (1) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place lease; and (2) management’s estimate of current market lease rates, measured over the remaining non-cancelable lease term, including any below market renewal option periods.

Impairment

We review our real estate assets (including those held by our Real Estate and Other Affiliates), operating assets, land held for development and sale, and developments for potential impairment indicators whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. GAAP related to the impairment or disposal of long‑lived assets requires that if impairment indicators exist and that expected undiscounted cash flows generated by the asset are less than its carrying amount, an impairment provision should be recorded to write-down the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value. The impairment analysis does not consider the timing of future cash flows and whether the asset is expected to earn an above or below market rate of return.

Impairment indicators for our assets or projects within our MPC segment are assessed separately and include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in sales pace or average selling prices, significant increases in expected land development and construction costs or cancellation rates, and projected losses on expected future sales. MPC assets have extended life cycles that may last 20 to 40 years, or longer, and have few long‑term contractual cash flows. Further, MPC assets generally have minimal to no residual values because of their liquidating characteristics. MPC development periods often occur through several economic cycles. Subjective factors such as the expected timing of property development and sales, optimal development density and sales strategy impact the timing and amount of expected future cash flows and fair value.

Impairment indicators for our Operating Assets segment are assessed separately for each property and include, but are not limited to, significant decreases in net operating income, significant decreases in occupancy, ongoing low occupancy and significant net operating losses.

Impairment indicators for development costs in our Strategic Developments segment are assessed by project and include, but are not limited to, significant changes in projected completion dates, revenues or cash flows, development costs, market factors, significant decreases in comparable property sale prices and feasibility.

The cash flow estimates used both for determining recoverability and estimating fair value are inherently judgmental and reflect current and projected trends in rental, occupancy, pricing, development costs, sales pace and capitalization rates, and estimated holding periods for the applicable assets. Although the estimated fair value of certain assets may be exceeded by the carrying amount, a real estate asset is only considered to be impaired when its carrying amount is not expected to be recovered through estimated future undiscounted cash flows. To the extent an impairment provision is necessary, the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its estimated fair value is expensed to operations. In addition, the impairment provision is allocated proportionately to adjust the carrying amount of the asset. The adjusted carrying amount, which represents the new cost basis of the asset, is depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset or, for MPCs, is expensed as a cost of sales when land is sold. Assets that have been impaired will in the future have lower depreciation and cost of sale expenses. The impairment will have no impact on cash flow.

With respect to our Investment in Real Estate and Other Affiliates, a series of operating losses of an underlying asset or other factors may indicate that a decrease in value has occurred which is other‑than‑temporary. The investment in each Real Estate and Other Affiliate is evaluated periodically and as deemed necessary for recoverability and valuation declines that are other‑than‑temporary. If the decrease in value of an Investment in a Real Estate and Other Affiliate is deemed to be other‑than‑temporary, our investment is reduced to its estimated fair value. In addition to the property‑specific impairment analysis that we perform on the underlying assets of the investment, we also consider the ownership, distribution preferences, limitations, and rights to sell and repurchase our ownership interests.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents consist of highly-liquid investments with maturities at date of purchase of three months or less and are deposited with major banks throughout the United States. Such deposits are in excess of FDIC limits and are placed with high quality institutions in order to minimize concentration of counterparty credit risk.

Revenue Recognition and Related Matters

Condominium Rights and Unit Sales

Revenue recognition for contracted individual units in a condominium project are accounted for under the percentage of completion method when the following criteria are met: (a) construction is beyond a preliminary stage; (b) buyer is unable to require a refund of its deposit, except for non‑delivery of the unit; (c) sufficient units are sold to assure that it will not revert to a rental property; (d) sales prices are collectible; and (e) aggregate sales proceeds and costs can be reasonably estimated. Those units that do not meet the criteria use the full accrual method or deposit method which defers revenue recognition until the unit is closed. Revenue related to condominium sales will change when the new revenue recognition standard is adopted. See Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements below.

Revenue recognized on the percentage-of-completion method is based upon the ratio of project costs incurred to date compared to total estimated project cost. Total estimated project costs include direct costs such as the carrying value of our land, site planning, architectural, construction costs, financing costs and indirect cost allocations for certain infrastructure and amenity costs which benefit the project based upon the relative sales value of the units. Changes in estimated project costs impact the amount of revenue and profit recognized on a percentage of completion basis during the period in which they are determined. Revenue recognized in excess of amounts collected from buyers is classified as Condominium receivables and amounts collected from buyers in excess of revenue recognized to date are classified as Condominium deposits liability.

Land Sales Revenue

Revenues from land sales are recognized using the full accrual method at closing, when title has passed to the buyer, adequate consideration for the land has been received and we have no continuing involvement with the property. Revenue that is not recognized under the full accrual method is deferred and recognized when the required obligations are met. Revenue related to builder price participation rights is recognized as the underlying homes are sold by homebuilders.

When developed residential or commercial land is sold, the cost of sales includes actual costs incurred and estimates of future development costs benefiting the property sold through completion. In accordance with ASC 970, when developed land is sold, costs are allocated to each sold superpad or lot based upon the relative sales value of each superpad or lot. For purposes of allocating development costs, estimates of future revenues and development costs are re-evaluated throughout the year, with adjustments being allocated prospectively to the remaining parcels available for sale. For certain parcels of land, however, the specific identification method is used to determine the cost of sales, including acquired parcels that we do not intend to develop or for which development was complete at the date of acquisition.

Rental Revenue

Revenue associated with our operating assets includes minimum rent, percentage rent in lieu of fixed minimum rent, tenant recoveries and overage rent.

Minimum rent revenues are recognized on a straight‑line basis over the terms of the related leases when collectability is reasonably assured and the tenant has taken possession of, or controls, the physical use of the leased asset. Percentage rent in lieu of fixed minimum rent is recognized as sales are reported from tenants. Minimum rent revenues also include amortization related to above and below‑market tenant leases on acquired properties.

Recoveries from tenants are stipulated in the leases, are generally computed based upon a formula related to real estate taxes, insurance and other real estate operating expenses, and are generally recognized as revenues in the period the related costs are incurred.

Overage rent is recognized on an accrual basis once tenant sales exceed contractual thresholds contained in the lease and is calculated by multiplying the tenant sales in excess of the minimum amount by a percentage defined in the lease.

If the lease provides for tenant improvements, we determine whether the tenant improvements are owned by the tenant or by us. When we are the owner of the tenant improvements, rental revenue begins when the improvements are substantially complete. When the tenant is the owner of the tenant improvements, any tenant allowance funded by us is treated as a lease incentive and amortized as an adjustment to rental revenue over the lease term.

Hospitality Revenue

Revenue from our hospitality properties is primarily related to room rentals and food and beverage sales and is recognized as services are performed.

Other Income

Other income for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily relates to a $6.2 million gain on insurance recoveries related to casualty losses at South Street Seaport from Superstorm Sandy and $2.8 million related to our participation interest in the golf courses at TPC Summerlin and TPC Las Vegas.

Other income for the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily relates to a $0.3 million gain on insurance recoveries related to casualty losses at South Street Seaport from Superstorm Sandy and $0.5 million related to our participation interest in the golf courses at TPC Summerlin and TPC Las Vegas.

Other income for the year ended December 31, 2014 primarily relates to a $27.0 million gain on insurance recoveries related to casualty losses at South Street Seaport from Superstorm Sandy and $2.4 million related to the sale of the Redlands Promenade property.

Marketing and Advertising

Our Strategic Development, Operating Assets and MPC segments incur various marketing and advertising costs as part of their development, branding, leasing or sales initiatives. These costs include special events, broadcasts, direct mail and online digital and social media programs, and they are expensed as incurred.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable includes tenant rents, tenant recoveries and other receivables.

We record allowances against our receivables that we consider uncollectible. These allowances are reviewed periodically and are adjusted based on management’s estimate of receivables that will not be realized in subsequent periods. Management exercises judgment in establishing these allowances and considers payment history, current credit status and if the tenant is currently occupying the space in developing these estimates.

The following table summarizes the changes in allowance for doubtful accounts against our accounts receivables:


(In thousands)	2016		2015		2014
Balance as of January 1	$	4,406	$	7,619	$	7,390
Provision for doubtful accounts		5,664		4,030		1,404
Write-offs		(2,271)		(7,243)		(1,175)
Balance as of December 31,	$	7,799	$	4,406	$	7,619

The increase in the provision for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are consistent with the growth of the Operating Assets portfolio and increase in the number of tenants. The significant decrease in write-offs in the allowance for doubtful accounts in the year ended December 31, 2016 relates primarily to the recovery of uncollectible receivables from a tenant at an operating property that vacated its space. The significant increase in write-offs in the allowance for doubtful accounts in the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to 2014 relates to uncollectible receivables from a tenant at an operating property that vacated its space.

Municipal Utility District Receivables

In Houston, Texas, certain development costs are reimbursable through the creation of Municipal Utility Districts (“MUDs”, also known as Water Control and Improvement Districts), which are separate political subdivisions authorized by Article 16, Section 59 of the Texas Constitution and governed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (“TCEQ”). MUDs are formed to provide municipal water, waste water, drainage services, recreational facilities and roads to those areas where they are currently unavailable through the regular city services. Typically, the developer advances funds for the creation of the facilities, which must be designed, bid and constructed in accordance with the City of Houston’s and TCEQ requirements.

The developer initiates the MUD process by filing the applications for the formation of the MUD, and once the applications have been approved, a Board of Directors is elected for the MUD and given the authority to issue ad valorem tax bonds and the authority to tax residents. The MUD Board authorizes and approves all MUD development contracts and pay requests. MUD bond sale proceeds are used to reimburse the developer for its construction costs, including interest. MUD taxes are used to pay the debt service on the bonds and the operating expenses of the MUD. The Company estimates the costs it believes will be eligible for reimbursement as MUD receivables. Our MUD receivables are pledged as security to creditors under the debt facilities relating to our Bridgeland and The Woodlands MPCs. MUD receivables are shown net of an allowance of $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Notes Receivable

Notes receivable at December 31, 2016 include amounts due from homebuilders primarily at our Summerlin MPC. Our Summerlin MPC Community also held a $20.2 million note from a national homebuilder relating to a 2014 land sale bearing interest at 0.39%, which matured in November 2015, at which time payment was received in full.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets, net

The major components of Prepaid expenses and other assets, net include condominium receivables and condominium deposits (as discussed above in Revenue Recognition and Related Matters), Special Improvement District (“SID”) receivables and Straight-line rent receivables.

SID receivables are amounts due from SID bonds related to our MPCs. Proceeds from SID bonds are held in escrow by a third-party and are used to reimburse us for a portion of the development costs incurred in our Summerlin MPC. SID receivables are $61.6 million and $72.6 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates currently in effect. Deferred income taxes also reflect the impact of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.

A valuation allowance is provided if we believe it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. An increase or decrease in the valuation allowance that results from a change in circumstances, and which causes a change in our judgment about the realizability of the related deferred tax asset, is included in the deferred tax provision. There are events or circumstances that could occur in the future that could limit the benefit of deferred tax assets. In addition, we recognize and report interest and penalties, if necessary, related to uncertain tax positions within our provision for income tax expense.

In our MPCs, gains with respect to land sales, whether for commercial use or for single family residences, are reported for tax purposes either on the modified accrual method or on the percentage-of-completion method. Under the percentage-of-completion method, a gain is recognized for tax purposes as costs are incurred in satisfaction of contractual obligations. The method used for determining the percentage complete for income tax purposes is different than that used for financial statement purposes.

Deferred Expenses

Deferred expenses consist principally of leasing costs. Deferred leasing costs are amortized to amortization expense using the straight‑line method over periods that approximate the related lease terms. Deferred expenses are shown net of accumulated amortization of $14.1 million and $10.8 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Deferred financing fees are amortized to interest expense over the terms of the respective financing agreements using the effective interest method (or other methods which approximate the effective interest method).

On December 31, 2015 we adopted ASU 2015-03 which required debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The adoption of this ASU, which required a retrospective application for all reported periods, only impacted the presentation of deferred financing costs previously included in Deferred expenses. Mortgages, Notes and Loans Payable are presented net of Deferred financing costs for all balance sheet dates.

Stock Plans

We apply the provisions of ASC 718 Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”) in our accounting and reporting for stock‑based compensation. ASC 718 requires all share‑based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. All unvested options outstanding under our option plans have grant prices equal to the market price of the Company’s stock on the dates of grant. Compensation cost for restricted stock is determined based on fair market value of the Company’s stock at the date of grant.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-1, “Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. The standard provides criteria to determine when an integrated set of assets and activities is not a business. The criteria requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. However, to be considered a business, the set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output. The effective date of the standard is for fiscal periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The new standard must be adopted prospectively with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash”, which requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flow. The effective date of the standard is for fiscal periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period, but any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The new standard must be adopted retrospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-18 on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-17, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Interests Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control”. The standard requires reporting entities to evaluate whether they should consolidate a variable interest entity (“VIE”) in certain situations involving entities under common control. Specifically, the standard changes the evaluation of whether a reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of a VIE by changing how a reporting entity that is a single decision maker of a VIE treats indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity. The effective date of the standard is for fiscal periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The new standard must be adopted retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” The standard addresses how certain cash receipts and payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The effective date of this standard is for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses.” The standard modifies the impairment model for most financial assets, including trade accounts receivables and loans, and will require the use of an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. Under this model, entities will be required to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on such instruments and record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, resulting in a net presentation of the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The effective date of the standard is for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-13 on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” The standard amends several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance will require entities to recognize all income tax effects of awards in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. It also will allow an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The effective date of this standard is for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. We will adopt ASU 2016-09 during the first quarter of 2017. In addition to implementing the income tax guidance and cash flow classification changes, we anticipate making the policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur, and do not anticipate the adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases.” ASU 2016-02, codified in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842. The standard amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. The effective date of this standard is for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. The new Leases standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-02 on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810) - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.” The standard modifies whether: (1) fees paid to a decision maker or service provider represent a variable interest; (2) a limited partnership or similar entity has the characteristics of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) per consolidation guidance in ASC 810-10-65; and (3) a reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. The effective date of the standard is for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015 for public companies. We adopted the standard as of January 1, 2016, and there was no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB and International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenues from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance. These may include 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. The effective date of this standard is for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified approach. We have concluded that after adoption we will not be able to recognize revenue for condominium projects on a percentage of completion basis, and generally revenue will be recognized when the units close and the title has transferred to the buyer. Additionally, we have elected to implement the full retrospective approach of adoption. We are continuing to evaluate the new guidance to determine any other impacts on our consolidated financial statements.