Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting

The consolidated financial statements of the Company presented herein include the accounts of the General Partner and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the OP. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. The financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”).

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and consolidated joint venture arrangements. The portions of the consolidated joint venture arrangements not owned by the Company are presented as non-controlling interests in VEREIT’s and the OP’s consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of comprehensive income (loss) and statements of changes in equity. In addition, as described in Note 1 – Organization, certain third parties have been issued OP Units. Holders of OP Units are considered to be non-controlling interest holders in the OP and their ownership interest in the limited partner’s share is presented as non-controlling interests in VEREIT’s consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of comprehensive income (loss) and statements of changes in equity. Further, a portion of the earnings and losses of the OP are allocated to non-controlling interest holders based on their respective ownership percentages. Upon conversion of OP Units to Common Stock, any difference between the fair value of shares of Common Stock issued and the carrying value of the OP Units converted is recorded as a component of equity. As of each of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were approximately 23.7 million Limited Partner OP Units outstanding.

For legal entities being evaluated for consolidation, the Company must first determine whether the interests that it holds and fees it receives qualify as variable interests in the entity. A variable interest is an investment or other interest that will absorb portions of an entity’s expected losses or receive portions of the entity’s expected residual returns. The Company’s evaluation includes consideration of fees paid to the Company where the Company acts as a decision maker or service provider to the entity being evaluated. If the Company determines that it holds a variable interest in an entity, it evaluates whether that entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). VIEs are entities where investors lack sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or where equity investors, as a group, lack one of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, (b) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (c) the right to receive the expected returns of the entity.

The Company then qualitatively assesses whether it is (or is not) the primary beneficiary of a VIE, which is generally defined as the party who has a controlling financial interest in the VIE. Consideration of various factors include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and its obligation to absorb losses from or right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company consolidates any VIEs when the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE and the difference between consolidating the VIE and accounting for it using the equity method could be material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company continually evaluates the need to consolidate these VIEs based on standards set forth in U.S. GAAP.

Reclassification

As described below, the following items previously reported have been reclassified to conform with the current period’s presentation.

The operating expense reimbursements line item has been combined into rental revenue for prior periods presented to be consistent with the current year presentation.

The investment in direct financing leases, net, investment securities, at fair value and mortgage notes receivable, net line items from prior periods have been combined into the rent and tenant receivables and other assets, net caption on the consolidated balance sheets. Investments in the Cole REITs, as defined in “Investment in Cole REITs” section herein, has also been reclassified as of December 31, 2017 to rent and tenant receivables and other assets, net from investment in unconsolidated entities to be consistent with the current year presentation. Refer to Note 5 – Rent and Tenant Receivables and Other Assets, Net for reclassification amounts and additional information.

The distributions declared on Common Stock line item from prior periods has been updated to exclude distributions on restricted stock units (“Restricted Stock Units”) and deferred stock units (“Deferred Stock Units”) on the consolidated statements of changes in equity for all periods presented. These amounts are now included in the line item dividend equivalents on awards granted under the Equity Plan (as defined in Note 12 – Equity-based Compensation), which also includes dividend equivalents on restricted shares of Common Stock (“Restricted Shares”). The dividend equivalents on Restricted Shares were previously included in the line item distributions to participating securities in the consolidated statements of changes in equity.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Management makes significant estimates regarding goodwill and intangible asset impairments, real estate investment impairment, allocation of purchase price of real estate asset acquisitions and income taxes.

Real Estate Investments

The Company records acquired real estate at cost and makes assessments as to the useful lives of depreciable assets. The Company considers the period of future benefit of the asset to determine the appropriate useful lives. Depreciation is computed using a straight-line method over the estimated useful life of 40 years for buildings, five to 15 years for building fixtures and improvements and the remaining lease term for intangible lease assets.

Allocation of Purchase Price of Real Estate Assets

The Company allocates the purchase price of acquired properties to tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities acquired based on their relative fair values. Tangible assets include land, buildings, fixtures and improvements on an as-if vacant basis. The Company utilizes various estimates, processes and information to determine the as-if vacant property value. Identifiable intangible assets and liabilities include amounts allocated to acquired leases for above-market and below-market lease rates and the value of in-place leases. In estimating fair values for purposes of allocating purchase price, the Company utilizes a number of sources, including independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property and other market data. The Company also considers information obtained about each property as a result of its pre-acquisition due diligence, as well as subsequent marketing and leasing activities, in estimating the fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and intangible liabilities assumed.

The aggregate value of intangible assets related to in-place leases is primarily the difference between the property valued with existing in-place leases adjusted to market rental rates and the property valued as if vacant. Factors considered by the Company in its analysis of the in-place lease intangibles include an estimate of carrying costs during the expected lease-up period for each property, taking into account current market conditions and costs to execute similar leases. In estimating carrying costs, the Company includes real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses and estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up period, which typically ranges from six to 18 months. The Company also estimates costs to execute similar leases, including leasing commissions, legal and other related expenses. The value of in-place leases is amortized over the initial term of the respective leases. If a tenant terminates its lease, then the unamortized portion of the in-place lease value is charged to expense.

Above-market and below-market in-place lease values for owned properties are recorded based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the in-place leases and management’s estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the lease, including any bargain renewal periods. Above-market leases are amortized as a reduction to rental revenue over the remaining terms of the respective leases. Below-market leases are amortized as an increase to rental revenue over the remaining terms of the respective leases, including any bargain renewal periods.

The determination of the fair values of the real estate assets and liabilities acquired requires the use of significant assumptions with regard to the current market rental rates, rental growth rates, capitalization and discount rates, interest rates and other variables. The use of alternative estimates may result in a different allocation of the Company’s purchase price, which could materially impact the Company’s results of operations.

In January 2017, the Company elected to early adopt ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”), which clarifies the definition of a business by adding guidance to assist entities in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, all real estate acquisitions qualified as asset acquisitions, and external acquisition costs related to asset acquisitions were capitalized and allocated to tangible and intangible assets and liabilities as described above. Prior to January 1, 2017, external costs related to property acquisitions were expensed as incurred. Internal costs, such as employee salaries, related to activities necessary to complete, or affect, self-originating asset acquisitions or business combinations are classified as acquisition-related expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented.

Assets Held for Sale

Upon classifying a real estate investment as held for sale, the Company will no longer recognize depreciation expense related to the depreciable assets of the property. Assets held for sale are recorded at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair value, less the estimated cost to dispose of the assets. See Note 3– Real Estate Investments and Related Intangibles for further discussion regarding properties held for sale.

If circumstances arise that the Company previously considered unlikely and, as a result, the Company decides not to sell a property previously classified as held for sale, the Company will reclassify the property as held and used. The Company measures and records a property that is reclassified as held and used at the lower of (i) its carrying value before the property was classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation expense that would have been recognized had the property been continuously classified as held and used or (ii) the estimated fair value at the date of the subsequent decision not to sell.

Development Activities

Project costs, which include interest expense, associated with the development, construction and lease-up of a real estate project are capitalized as construction in progress. Once the development and construction of the building is substantially completed, the amounts capitalized to construction in progress are transferred to (i) land and (ii) buildings, fixtures and improvements and are depreciated over their respective useful lives.

Discontinued Operations

The Company reports discontinued operations when a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of or classified as held for sale represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The results of operations for assets meeting the definition of discontinued operations are reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 4 — Discontinued Operations for further discussion regarding discontinued operations.

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities

Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

The Company accounts for its investment in unconsolidated joint venture arrangements using the equity method of accounting as the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over operating and financing policies of these investments. The equity method of accounting requires the investment to be initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for the Company’s share of equity in the joint ventures’ earnings and distributions. The Company records its proportionate share of net income (loss) from the unconsolidated joint ventures in equity in income and gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 3– Real Estate Investments and Related Intangibles for further discussion on investments in unconsolidated joint ventures.

Investment in Cole REITs

As of December 31, 2017, the Company owned equity investments in Cole Credit Property Trust IV, Inc. (“CCPT IV”), CIM Income NAV, Inc. (formerly known as Cole Real Estate Income Strategy (Daily NAV), Inc.) (“INAV”), Cole Office & Industrial REIT (CCIT II), Inc. (“CCIT II”), Cole Office & Industrial REIT (CCIT III), Inc. (“CCIT III”), and Cole Credit Property Trust V, Inc. (“CCPT V” and collectively with CCPT IV, INAV, CCIT II and CCIT III, the “Cole REITs”). On February 1, 2018, the Company sold certain of its equity investments to CCA Acquisition, LLC (the “Cole Purchaser”), an affiliate of CIM Group, LLC, retaining interests in CCIT II, CCIT III and CCPT V. Subsequent to the sale of Cole Capital and the adoption of ASU 2016-01 (as defined in “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” section below), the Company carries these investments at fair value, as the Company does not exert significant influence over CCIT II, CCIT III or CCPT V, and any changes in the fair value are recognized in other income, net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018. Prior to the sale of Cole Capital, the Company accounted for these investments using the equity method of accounting, which required the investment to be initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for the Company’s share of equity in the respective Cole REIT’s earnings and distributions. The Company recorded its proportionate share of net income or loss from the Cole REITs in equity in income and gain on disposition of unconsolidated entities in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Leasehold Improvements and Property and Equipment

The Company leases its corporate office facilities under operating leases. Leasehold improvements related to these are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the estimated useful life or remaining lease term.

Property and equipment, which typically include computer hardware and software, furniture and fixtures, among other items, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Property and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from three to seven years. The Company reassesses the useful lives of its property and equipment and adjusts the future monthly depreciation expense based on the new useful life, as applicable. If the Company disposes of an asset, the asset and related accumulated depreciation are written off upon disposal.

Goodwill

In the case of a business combination, after identifying all tangible and intangible assets and liabilities, the excess consideration paid over the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired and assumed, respectively, represents goodwill. In connection with prior mergers, the Company recorded goodwill as a result of the merger consideration exceeding the net assets acquired. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the carrying value of goodwill was $1.3 billion.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2017-01 in January 2017, in the event the Company disposed of a property, or classified a property as an asset held for sale, that constituted a business under U.S. GAAP, the Company allocated a portion of the real estate investments reporting unit’s goodwill to that property in determining the gain or loss on the disposal of the property. The amount of goodwill allocated to the business was based on the relative fair value of the business to the fair value of the reporting unit. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company allocated $73.2 million of goodwill to dispositions and held for sale assets, which included $2.3 million of goodwill allocated to the cost basis of two properties foreclosed upon. The allocated goodwill of $73.2 million was included in gain on disposition of real estate and real estate assets held for sale, net, in the consolidated statement of operations.

Impairments

Real Estate Assets

The Company performs quarterly impairment review procedures, primarily through continuous monitoring of events and changes in circumstances that could indicate the carrying value of its real estate assets may not be recoverable. Impairment indicators that the Company considers include, but are not limited to, decrease in net operating income, bankruptcy or other credit concerns of a property’s major tenant or tenants, such as history of late payments, rental concessions and other factors, as well as significant decreases in a property’s revenues due to lease terminations, vacancies, co-tenancy clauses or reduced lease rates. When impairment indicators are identified or if a property is considered to have a more likely than not probability of being disposed of within the next 12 to 24 months, the Company assesses the recoverability of the assets by determining whether the carrying value of the assets will be recovered through the undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. U.S. GAAP requires us to utilize the Company’s expected holding period of our properties when assessing recoverability. In the event that such expected undiscounted future cash flows do not exceed the carrying value, the Company will adjust the real estate assets to their respective fair values and recognize an impairment loss. Generally, fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis and recent comparable sales or leasing transactions. The assumptions and uncertainties utilized in the evaluation of the impairment of real estate assets are discussed in Note 6 – Fair Value Measures.

Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company’s annual testing date is during the fourth quarter. In 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Others (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which allows the Company to test goodwill for impairment by comparing the carrying value of net assets to their respective fair value. If the fair value is determined to be less than the carrying value, an impairment charge will be recorded for the difference between the fair value and the carrying value. The Company estimates the fair value using discounted cash flows and relevant competitor multiples. The evaluation of goodwill for potential impairment requires the Company’s management to exercise significant judgment and to make certain assumptions. While the Company believes its assumptions are reasonable, there are no guarantees as to actual results. Changes in assumptions based on actual results may have a material impact on the Company’s financial results. The analysis performed for the annual goodwill tests during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 resulted in no impairment. Goodwill related to discontinued operations is discussed in Note 4 — Discontinued Operations.

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities

The Company is required to determine whether an event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of any of its investment in the unconsolidated entities. If an event or change in circumstance has occurred, the Company is required to evaluate its investment in the unconsolidated entity for potential impairment and determine if the carrying value of its investment exceeds its fair value. An impairment charge is recorded when an impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, the Company considers whether it has the ability and intent to hold the investment until the carrying value is fully recovered. The evaluation of an investment in an unconsolidated entity for potential impairment requires the Company’s management to exercise significant judgment and to make certain assumptions. The use of different judgments and assumptions could result in different conclusions. No impairments of unconsolidated entities were identified during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Leasehold Improvements and Property and Equipment

Leasehold improvements and property and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. If this review indicates that the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable, the Company records an impairment loss, measured at fair value by estimated discounted cash flows or market appraisals. The evaluation of leasehold improvements and property and equipment for potential impairment requires the Company’s management to exercise significant judgment and to make certain assumptions. The use of different judgments and assumptions could result in different conclusions. No impairments of leasehold improvements and property and equipment were identified during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in bank accounts, as well as investments in highly-liquid money market funds with original maturities of three months or less. The Company deposits cash with several high quality financial institutions. These deposits are guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to an insurance limit of $250,000. At times, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents may exceed federally insured levels. Although the Company bears risk on amounts in excess of those insured by the FDIC, it has not experienced and does not anticipate any losses due to the high quality of the institutions where the deposits are held.

Restricted Cash

The Company had $22.9 million and $27.7 million, respectively, in restricted cash as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. Restricted cash primarily consists of reserves related to lease expirations, as well as maintenance, structural and debt service reserves. In accordance with certain debt agreements, rent from certain of the Company’s tenants is deposited directly into a lockbox account, from which the monthly debt service payments are disbursed to the lender and the excess funds are then disbursed to the Company. Included in restricted cash at December 31, 2018 was $21.5 million in lender reserves and $1.4 million held in restricted lockbox accounts. Included in restricted cash at December 31, 2017 was $26.4 million in lender reserves and $1.3 million held in restricted lockbox accounts.

Investment in Direct Financing Leases

The Company has acquired certain properties that are subject to leases that qualify as direct financing leases in accordance with U.S. GAAP due to the significance of the lease payments from the inception of the leases compared to the fair value of the property or due to bargain purchase options. Investments in direct financing leases represent the fair value of the remaining lease payments on the leases and the estimated fair value of any expected residual property value at the end of the lease term. The fair value of the remaining lease payments is estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on interest rates that would represent the Company’s incremental borrowing rate for similar types of debt. The expected residual property value at the end of the lease term is estimated using market data and assessments of the remaining useful lives of the properties at the end of the lease terms, among other factors. Income from direct financing leases is calculated using the effective interest method over the remaining term of the lease.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs represent commitment fees, legal fees and other costs associated with obtaining commitments for financing. Deferred financing costs, other than those associated with the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined in Note 7 –Debt), are presented on the consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability rather than as an asset. These costs are amortized to interest expense over the terms of the respective financing agreements using the effective interest method. Unamortized deferred financing costs are written off when the associated debt is refinanced or repaid before maturity. Costs incurred in connection with potential financial transactions that are not completed are expensed in the period in which it is determined the financing will not be completed.

Convertible Debt

The Company has an outstanding aggregate balance of $402.5 million related to the 2020 Convertible Notes (as defined in Note 7 – Debt ). The 2020 Convertible Notes are convertible into cash or shares of the Company’s Common Stock at the Company’s option. In accordance with U.S GAAP, the 2020 Convertible Notes are accounted for as a liability with a separate equity component recorded for the conversion option. A liability was recorded for the 2020 Convertible Notes on the issuance date at fair value based on a discounted cash flow analysis using current market rates for debt instruments with similar terms. The difference between the initial proceeds from the 2020 Convertible Notes and the estimated fair value of the debt instruments resulted in a debt discount, with an offset recorded to additional paid-in capital representing the equity component. The debt discount is being amortized to interest expense over the respective term of the 2020 Convertible Notes.

Derivative Instruments

The Company may use derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, caps, options, floors and other interest rate derivative contracts, to hedge all or a portion of the interest rate risk associated with its borrowings. The principal objective of such agreements is to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with the Company’s operating and financial structure as well as to hedge specific anticipated transactions. The Company does not intend to utilize derivatives for purposes other than interest rate risk management.

The Company records all derivatives on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Derivatives may also be designated as hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.

The accounting for subsequent changes in the fair value of these derivatives depends on whether each has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment. If the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting treatment, any changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments is recognized immediately in gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net in the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). If the derivative is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment, the change in the estimated fair value of the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) to the extent that it is effective. Any ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had one interest rate derivative that was not designated as a qualifying hedging relationship with a fair value of $0.5 million associated with a loan with a notional value of $50.7 million. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had two interest rate derivatives that were not designated as qualifying hedging relationships with an aggregate fair value of $0.6 million associated with loans with an aggregate notional value of $78.9 million. The fair value of the interest rate derivatives is included in rent and tenant receivables and other assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”) (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Revenue Recognition, Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) (Topic 605) and requires an entity to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 and the related ASUs (collectively, the “Revenue ASUs”) during the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective approach, which allows a cumulative effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings equal to initially applying the Revenue ASUs to all contracts with customers not completed as of the date of adoption. Adoption of the Revenue ASUs did not result in a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as all contracts not completed as of adoption within the scope of Topic 606 have the same revenue recognition timing and measurement under Topic 605. Revenues generated through leasing arrangements are excluded from the Revenue ASUs as discussed below.

Revenue Recognition - Real Estate

The Company’s rental revenue is recognized when earned and collectability is reasonably assured and includes rental revenues and property operating expense reimbursements that each tenant pays in accordance with the terms of each lease. Rental revenue also includes amortization of above and below-market leases. Many of the leases have rent escalations and the rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis, which requires the Company to record a receivable that will only be received if the tenant makes all rent payments required through the expiration of the initial lease term. Straight-line rent receivables are included in rent and tenant receivables and other assets, net, in the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 5 – Rent and Tenant Receivables and Other Assets, Net. For leases that have contingent rental revenue based on a percentage of the tenant’s sales, the Company recognizes contingent rental revenue when the specified target is achieved.

The Company continually reviews receivables related to rent and unbilled rent receivables and determines collectability by taking into consideration the tenant’s payment history, the financial condition of the tenant, business conditions in the industry in which the tenant operates and economic conditions in the area in which the property is located. In the event that the collectability of a receivable is uncertain, the Company will record an increase in the allowance for uncollectible accounts in the consolidated balance sheets and bad debt expense in property operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company suspends revenue recognition when the collectability of amounts due pursuant to a lease is no longer reasonably assured.

Revenue Recognition - Cole Capital

As discussed in Note 4 —Discontinued Operations, on February 1, 2018, the Company completed the sale of its investment management segment, Cole Capital. The assets, liabilities and related financial results of substantially all of the Cole Capital segment are reflected in the financial statements as discontinued operations.

Cole Capital earned securities sales commissions, dealer manager fees, distribution and stockholder servicing fees, real estate acquisition fees, financing coordination fees, property management fees, advisory fees, asset management fees and performance fees for services relating to the Cole REITs’ offerings and the investment and management of their respective assets, in accordance with the respective dealer manager and advisory agreements. The Company was also reimbursed for certain costs incurred in providing these services, which were recorded as revenue as the expenses were incurred subject to revenue constraint due to the limitations on the amount that was reimbursable based on the terms of the respective dealer manager and advisory agreements. Refer to Note 13 – Related Party Transactions and Arrangements for a disaggregation of Cole Capital revenues.

Revenue Recognition - Other

The Company entered into a services agreement (the “Services Agreement”) with the Cole Purchaser, pursuant to which the Company will continue to provide certain services to the Cole Purchaser and the Cole REITs, including operational real estate support, (“Transition Services Revenues”) through March 31, 2019 (or, if later, the date of the last government filing other than a tax filing made by any of the Cole REITs with respect to its 2018 fiscal year). Under the terms of the Services Agreement, the Company will be entitled to receive reimbursement for certain of the services provided. The Company recorded Transition Services Revenues as costs associated with providing such services were incurred, which coincided with the timing in which the performance obligations of the contract had been met. During the period from February 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, the Company incurred $15.0 million of such costs and recognized revenues of $15.0 million, which are recorded in other income, net in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company may also receive additional fees over the next six years if future revenues of Cole Capital exceed a specified dollar threshold (the “Net Revenue Payments”), up to an aggregate of $80.0 million in Net Revenue Payments.

Litigation, Merger and Other Non-Routine Costs, Net of Insurance Recoveries

External costs incurred in relation to prior mergers and litigation resulting therefrom are included in litigation, merger and other non-routine costs, net of insurance recoveries in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company has also incurred legal fees and other costs associated with litigations and investigations resulting from the Audit Committee Investigation (defined below), which are considered non-routine. The Company has directors’ and officers’ insurance and the insurance carriers have paid certain defense costs subject to standard reservation of rights under the respective policies.

Litigation, merger and other non-routine costs, net of insurance recoveries include the following costs (amounts in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Merger Related Costs:
Transfer taxes⁽¹⁾	$	—		$	(1,595	)	$	562
Litigation and other non-routine costs:
Audit Committee Investigation and related matters ⁽²⁾	$	59,755		$	49,434		$	24,207
Legal fees and expenses ⁽³⁾	530			421			311
Litigation settlements ⁽⁴⁾	233,246			—			—
Total costs	293,531			48,260			25,080
Insurance recoveries ⁽⁵⁾	(2,568		)	(300		)	(21,196		)
Total	$	290,963		$	47,960		$	3,884

___________________________________


(1)	The negative balance for the year ended December 31, 2017 is a result of estimated costs accrued in prior periods that exceeded actual expenses incurred.

(2)

Includes all fees and costs associated with various litigations and investigations prompted by the results of the 2014 investigation conducted by the audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee Investigation”), including fees and costs incurred pursuant to the Company’s advancement obligations, litigation related thereto and in connection with related insurance recovery matters, net of accrual reversals. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company reversed an accrual of $10.9 million, as the Company was legally released from certain advancement obligations, and the accrued amounts were paid directly by the Company’s insurers to the payees subsequent to December 31, 2018. There were no reversals in the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.


(3)	Includes legal fees and expenses associated with litigation resulting from prior mergers and related insurance recovery matters and excludes amounts presented in income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018.


(4)	Refer to Note 10 – Commitments and Contingencies for additional information.


(5)	$2.3 million recorded during the year ended December 31, 2018 relates to litigation resulting from prior mergers.

Loss Contingencies

The Company records a liability in the consolidated financial statements for loss contingencies when a loss is known or considered probable and the amount is reasonably estimable. If the reasonable estimate of a known or probable loss is a range, and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other, the minimum amount of the range is accrued. If a material loss is reasonably possible but not known or probable, and is reasonably estimable, the estimated loss or range of loss is disclosed.

Equity-based Compensation

The Company has an equity-based incentive award plan for non-executive directors, officers, other employees and advisors or consultants who provide services to the Company, as applicable, and a non-executive director restricted share plan, which are accounted for under U.S. GAAP for share-based payments. The expense for such awards is recognized over the vesting period or when the requirements for exercise of the award have been met. See Note 12 – Equity-based Compensation for additional information on these plans.

Per Share Data

Income (loss) per basic share of Common Stock is calculated by dividing net income (loss) less dividends on unvested Restricted Shares of Common Stock and dividends on preferred stock by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding during such period. Diluted income (loss) per share of Common Stock considers the effect of potentially dilutive shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period.

Income Taxes

The General Partner elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code commencing with the taxable year ended December 31, 2011. We believe we are organized and operating in such a manner as to qualify to be taxed as a REIT for the taxable year ended December 31, 2018. As a REIT, the General Partner is generally not subject to federal income tax on taxable income that it distributes to its stockholders so long as it distributes at least 90% of its annual taxable income (computed without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains). However, the General Partner, its TRS entities, and the OP are still subject to certain state and local income, franchise and property taxes in the various jurisdictions in which they operate. The General Partner may also be subject to federal income taxes on certain income and excise taxes on its undistributed income.

The OP is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, the OP is not a taxable entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, each partner in the OP is required to include its allocable share of the OP’s income, gains, losses, deductions and credits for each taxable year. Under the LPA, the OP is to conduct business in such a manner as to permit the General Partner at all times to qualify as a REIT.

A TRS is a subsidiary of a REIT that is subject to federal, state and local income taxes, as applicable. The Company’s use of a TRS enables it to engage in certain business activities while complying with the REIT qualification requirements and to retain any income generated by these businesses for reinvestment without the requirement to distribute those earnings. The Company conducted substantially all of the Cole Capital business activities through a TRS until it sold the Cole Capital business on February 1, 2018.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company conducted all of its business in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada and filed income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, the Canadian federal jurisdiction and various state and local jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to routine examinations by taxing authorities for years before 2014. Certain of the Company’s intercompany transactions that have been eliminated in consolidation for financial accounting purposes are also subject to taxation.

The Company provides for income taxes in accordance with current authoritative accounting and tax guidance. The tax provision or benefit related to significant or unusual items is recognized in the quarter in which those items occur. In addition, the effect of changes in enacted tax laws, rates or tax status is recognized in the quarter in which the change occurs. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for or benefit from income taxes may change as new events occur, additional information is obtained or the tax environment changes.

During the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized state and local income and franchise tax expense of $4.7 million, $6.9 million and $6.0 million, respectively, which are included in provision for income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company recorded a provision for federal income taxes of $0.4 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2016 related to a TRS entity, which is also included in provision for income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. No provision for federal income taxes related to a TRS entity was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2017. The provision for or benefit from income taxes attributable to the Cole Capital business, substantially all of which was conducted through a TRS entity, is included in discontinued operations for all periods presented, as discussed in Note 4 — Discontinued Operations.

The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits as of or during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 or 2016. Any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits would be recognized in provision for income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

As of December 31, 2018, the OP and the General Partner had no material uncertain income tax positions.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted Accounting Standards

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”), which requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income (loss). An entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value at costs minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issue. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within, beginning after December 15, 2017 and requires prospective treatment of equity securities without readily determinable fair values. The Company adopted ASU 2016-01 as of January 1, 2018 and recorded a $5.1 million gain, which is included in other income, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, on measuring the Company’s investments in the Cole REITs at fair value after the investments were no longer accounted for using the equity method.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income – Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets (“ASU 2017-05”), which clarifies the following: 1) nonfinancial assets within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 may include nonfinancial assets transferred within a legal entity to a counterparty; 2) an entity should allocate consideration to each distinct asset by applying the guidance in Topic 606 on allocating the transaction price to performance obligations; and 3) requires entities to derecognize a distinct nonfinancial asset or distinct in substance nonfinancial asset in a partial sale transaction when it (a) does not have (or ceases to have) a controlling financial interest in the legal entity that holds the asset in accordance with Subtopic 810 and (b) transfers control of the asset in accordance with Topic 606. The adoption of this standard will result in higher gains on the sale of partial real estate interests, including contributions of nonfinancial assets to a joint venture or other noncontrolling investee, due to recognizing the full gain when the derecognition criteria are met and recording the retained noncontrolling interest at its fair value. ASU 2017-05 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU 2017-05 was adopted during the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, in conjunction with the Revenue ASUs, using the modified retrospective approach. The Company also elected the practical expedient to only apply the guidance to contracts that were not completed upon adoption. At adoption, the Company did not have any contracts that were not completed within the scope of ASU 2017-05 and as such, the adoption of ASU 2017-05 did not impact the Company’s financial statements.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, which will require that a lessee recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with a lease term of more than 12 months, with the result being the recognition of a right of use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability and the disclosure of key information about the entity’s leasing arrangements. The lessor accounting model under ASU 2016-02 is similar to existing guidance, however it limits the capitalization of initial direct leasing costs, such as internally generated costs. The Company expects to elect all practical expedients permitted under ASC Topic 842, other than the hindsight practical expedient, which permits entities to use hindsight in determining the lease terms. Accordingly, the Company will retain distinction between a finance lease (i.e., capital leases under existing guidance) and an operating lease and account for its existing operating leases as operating leases under the new guidance, without reassessing (a) whether the contracts contain a lease under ASC Topic 842, (b) whether classification of the operating leases would be different in accordance with ASC Topic 842, or (c) whether the unamortized initial direct costs before transition adjustments would have met the definition of initial direct costs in ASC Topic 842 at lease commencement.

In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842. The amendments help address transition guidance as it relates to land easements. As the Company plans to elect this practical expedient, it will only evaluate new or modified land easements upon adoption of Topic 842.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Leases (Topic 842), which contained targeted improvements to amend inconsistencies and clarify guidance that were brought about by stakeholders. Additionally, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842), which provided the following practical expedients: (1) a transition method that allows entities to apply the new standard at the adoption date and to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings effective at the adoption date; and (2) the option for lessors to not separate lease and non-lease components provided that certain criteria are met. The Company plans to elect the practical expedients included in ASU 2018-11. As the Company is not electing the hindsight practical expedient, the Company does not expect to have a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption.

In December 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-20, Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU 2018-20 provides an election for lessors to exclude sales and related taxes from consideration in the contract, requires lessors to exclude from revenue and expense lessor costs paid directly to a third party by lessees, and clarifies lessors’ accounting for variable payments related to both lease and nonlease components.

The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption, and anticipates this standard will have a material impact on its consolidated balance sheets. However, the Company does not expect adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated statements of operations. While the Company is continuing to assess potential impacts of the standard, it currently expects the most significant impact will be the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases. Our initial ROU asset and liability will be approximately $223.0 million. The Company expects its accounting for capital leases to remain substantially unchanged. Leases pursuant to which the Company is the lessee primarily consist of approximately 200 leases, of which the majority are ground leases. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-12 and its related amendments beginning January 1, 2019.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 is intended to improve financial reporting by requiring more timely recognition of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments that are not accounted for at fair value through net income, including loans held for investment, held-to-maturity debt securities, trade and other receivables, net investment in leases and other such commitments. ASU 2016-13 requires that financial assets measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, through an allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 require the Company to measure all expected credit losses based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the financial assets and eliminates the “incurred loss” methodology under current U.S. GAAP. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (“ASU 2018-19”). This ASU clarifies that receivables from operating leases are accounted for using the lease guidance and not as financial instruments. ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2018-19 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact these amendments will have on its consolidated financial statements.