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”).

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and a consolidated joint venture. The portion of the consolidated joint venture not owned by the Company is presented as non-controlling interest 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 and Note 12 – Equity, certain third parties have been issued OP Units and Series F Preferred 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. Equity is reallocated between controlling and noncontrolling interests in the OP upon a change in ownership. At the end of each reporting period, noncontrolling interests in the OP are adjusted to reflect their ownership percentage in the OP through a reallocation between controlling and noncontrolling interests in the OP, as applicable. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were approximately 0.8 million and 23.7 million Limited Partner OP Units issued and outstanding, respectively, and 49,766 and 86,874 Limited Partner Series F Preferred Units issued and outstanding, respectively.

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.

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.

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.

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.

During the years ended December 31, 2019, 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. 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.

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.

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.

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 14 — Discontinued Operations for further discussion regarding discontinued operations.

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.

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 retaining interests in 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”). Subsequent to the sale of Cole Capital, 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 years ended December 31, 2019 and 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, 2017.

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.

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, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of goodwill was $1.3 billion.

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 5 – Fair Value Measures.

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. To determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test, the Company first assesses qualitative factors, including, but not limited to macro-economic conditions such as deterioration in the entity's operating environment or industry or market considerations; entity-specific events such as increasing costs, declining financial performance, or loss of key personnel; or other events such as an expectation that a reporting unit will be sold or a sustained decrease in the stock price on either an absolute basis or relative to peers. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not (i.e. greater than 50% chance) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no quantitative testing is required. If it is determined, as a result of the qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount, the provisions of guidance require that the Company then compares the fair value to the carrying value. Goodwill is considered impaired if the carrying value exceeds the fair value.

The Company performed the annual qualitative assessment for goodwill during the fourth quarter of 2019. As a result of the qualitative testing, the Company believes that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the goodwill is greater than the carrying value. As such, no further testing was performed. The Company performed a quantitative analysis for the annual goodwill tests during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, which also resulted in no impairments.

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 joint ventures. If an event or change in circumstance has occurred, the Company is required to evaluate its investment in the unconsolidated joint venture 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 joint venture 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 joint ventures were identified during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

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, 2019, 2018 and 2017.

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.

The Company had $21.0 million and $22.9 million, respectively, in restricted cash as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. 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, 2019 was $18.8 million in lender reserves and $2.2 million held in restricted lockbox accounts. Included in restricted cash at December 31, 2018 was $21.5 million in lender reserves and $1.4 million held in restricted lockbox accounts.

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 6 – 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. Deferred financing costs related to the Revolving Credit Facility are included in rent and tenant receivables and other assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. 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.

The Company has an outstanding aggregate balance of $321.8 million related to the 2020 Convertible Notes (as defined in Note 6 – 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.

The Company may use derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, caps, collars, treasury locks, options and forwards to hedge all or a portion of the interest rate risk associated with its borrowings. The Company’s interest rate management objectives are intended to limit the impact of interest rate fluctuations on earnings and cash flows and to manage the Company’s overall borrowing costs. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its cash flow hedging strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges are used to hedge forecasted issuances of fixed rate debt and the variable cash flows associated with floating rate debt. The Company does not intend to utilize derivatives for purposes other than interest rate risk management. The use of derivative financial instruments carries certain risks, including the risk that the counterparties to these contractual arrangements are not able to perform under the agreements. To mitigate this risk, the Company only enters into derivative financial instruments with counterparties with high credit ratings and with major financial institutions with which the Company may also have other financial relationships. The Company does not anticipate that any of the counterparties will fail to meet their obligations.

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.

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 other income, 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 fair value of the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). Unrealized gains and losses in other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to interest expense when the related hedged items impact earnings. See Note 7 – Derivatives and Hedging Activities for further discussion.

The adoption of ASC 842, effective January 1, 2019, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The most significant impact was the recognition of operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities for operating leases pursuant to which the Company is the lessee. The Company did not have a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption. The lessor accounting model under ASC 842 is similar to existing guidance, however, it limits the capitalization of initial direct leasing costs, such as internally generated costs, and modifies the lease classification criteria through the elimination of "bright-line" tests.

The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under ASC 842 (which included: (i) an entity need not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) an entity need not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and (iii) an entity need not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases), the land easement practical expedient to carry forward existing accounting treatment on existing land easements, the practical expedient which allows a lessee to combine lease and non-lease components, and the short-term lease election that allows a lessee not to apply the balance sheet recognition requirements to leases with a term of 12 months or less. The Company elected not to apply the practical expedients related to hindsight or assessing impairment of ROU assets.

At the inception of a new lease arrangement, including new leases that arise from amendments, the Company assesses the terms and conditions to determine the proper lease classification. When the terms of a lease effectively transfer control of the underlying asset, the lease is classified as a sales-type lease. When a lease does not effectively transfer control of the underlying asset to the lessee, but the Company obtains a guarantee for the value of the asset from a third party, the Company classifies the lease as a direct financing lease. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Prior to the adoption of ASC 842, the Company has acquired certain properties that are subject to leases that qualified as direct financing leases. 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. The Company does not have any sales-type leases as of December 31, 2019.

For operating leases with minimum scheduled rent increases, the Company recognizes rental revenue on a straight-line basis, including the effect of any free rent periods, over the lease term when collectability of lease payments is probable. Variable lease payments are recognized as rental revenue in the period when the changes in facts and circumstances on which the variable lease payments are based occur. Variable lease payments, including contingent rent, which is paid by a tenant when the tenant's sales exceed an agreed upon minimum amount, are recognized once tenant sales exceed contractual tenant lease thresholds and is calculated by multiplying the sales in excess of the minimum amount by a percentage defined in the lease.

The Company, as lessor, identified three separate lease components as follows: i) land lease component, ii) single property lease component comprised of building, land improvements and tenant improvements, and iii) furniture and fixtures. The Company’s leases also contain provisions for tenants to reimburse the Company for real estate taxes and insurance, which are considered noncomponents of the lease, and maintenance and other property operating expenses, which are considered to be non-lease components. The Company elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components and the non-lease components will be included with the single property lease component as the predominant component.

The Company continually reviews receivables related to rent, straight-line rent and property operating expense reimbursements 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. The review includes a binary assessment of whether or not substantially all of the amounts due under a tenant’s lease agreement are probable of collection. For leases that are deemed probable of collection, revenue continues to be recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For leases that are deemed not probable of collection, revenue is recorded as cash is received. The Company recognizes all changes in the collectability assessment for an operating lease as an adjustment to rental income and does not record an allowance for uncollectible accounts.

To account for leases for which the Company is the lessee, contracts must be analyzed upon inception to determine if the arrangement is, or contains, a lease. A lease conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Lease classification tests and measurement procedures are performed at the lease commencement date.

The lease liability is initially measured as the present value of the lease payments over the lease term, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, if that rate is readily determinable; otherwise, the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate is used. The incremental borrowing rate is determined based on the estimated rate of interest that the lessee would pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term at an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. The lease term is the noncancelable period of the lease and includes any renewal and termination options the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The lease liability balance is amortized using the effective interest method. The lease liability is remeasured when the contract is modified, upon the resolution of a contingency such that variable payments become fixed or if the assessment of exercising an extension, termination or purchase option changes.

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 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. Revenues generated through leasing arrangements are within the scope of ASC 842, as discussed above, and are excluded from Topic 606.

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 15 – Related Party Transactions and Arrangements for a disaggregation of Cole Capital revenues.

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 year ended December 31, 2019 the Company incurred $2.1 million of such costs and recognized revenues of $2.4 million, including acquisition fees, and 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 earn additional fees in each calendar year through December 31, 2023 if future revenues of Cole Capital exceed a specified dollar threshold in a calendar year (the “Net Revenue Payments”), up to an aggregate of $80.0 million in Net Revenue Payments.

The Company has 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’s insurance carriers have paid certain defense costs subject to standard reservation of rights under the respective policies.



	Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Litigation and non-routine costs, net:
Audit Committee Investigation and related matters ⁽¹⁾	$	70,168		$	59,755		$	49,434
Legal fees and expenses ⁽²⁾	2			530			421
Litigation settlements ⁽³⁾	820,208			233,246			—
Merger related transfer taxes⁽⁴⁾	—			—			(1,595		)
Total costs	890,378			293,531			48,260
Insurance recoveries⁽⁵⁾	(48,420		)	(2,568		)	(300		)
Other recoveries ⁽⁶⁾	(26,536		)	—			—
Total	$	815,422		$	290,963		$	47,960

___________________________________

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.

The Company has an equity-based incentive award plan (the “Equity 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 13– Equity-based Compensation for additional information on these plans.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company’s obligation to provide certain initial transition services for the Cole Purchaser terminated in accordance with the terms of the Services Agreement and the Company recorded $10.5 million of restructuring expenses related to the reorganization of its business, of which $9.2 million related to office lease terminations and modifications and $1.8 million related to the cessation of services under the Services Agreement, including severance, net of ASC 842 operating lease adjustments of $0.5 million. No restructuring expenses were recorded prior to January 1, 2019 in connection with the sale.

Income (loss) per basic share of Common Stock is calculated by dividing net income (loss) less dividends on unvested restricted shares of Common Stock (“Restricted Shares”) 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.

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, 2019. 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 taxable REIT subsidiaries (“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, 2019, the Company conducted all of its business in the United States and Puerto Rico and filed income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, Puerto Rico, and various state and local jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to routine examinations by taxing authorities for years before 2015. 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

During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized state and local income and franchise tax expense of $4.3 million, $4.7 million and $6.9 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 for the year ended December 31, 2018 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 years ended December 31, 2019 or 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 14 — Discontinued Operations.