Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Hill-Rom,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. and ourwholly-owned subsidiaries. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014(“2014Form 10-K”) as filed with the United States (“U.S.”) Securities and Exchange Commission.  The September 30, 2014Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was derived from audited Consolidated Financial Statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.  In the opinion of management, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to state fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  Quarterly results are not necessarily indicative of annual results.

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Hill-Rom and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Examples of such estimates include our income taxes (Notes 1 and 9), accounts receivable reserves (Note 2), accruedwarranties (Note 12), and commitments and contingencies (Note 14), among others.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value measurements are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

 Level 1:  Financial instruments with unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets and liabilities.

 Level 2:  Financial instruments with observable inputs other than those included in Level 1 such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 Level 3:  Financial instruments with unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  Unobservable inputs reflect our own assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).  Unobservable inputs shall be developed based on the best information available in the circumstances, which might include our own data.

We record cash and cash equivalents, as disclosed on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as Level 1 instruments and certain other insignificant derivatives and investments as either Level 2 or 3 instruments.  Refer to Note 5 for disclosure of our debt instrument fair values.

Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Units

Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Units

Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are directly imposed on a revenue producing transaction between us and our customers, including but not limited to sales taxes, use taxes and value added taxes, are accounted for on a net (excluded from revenue and costs) basis. 

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

We and our eligible domestic subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. income tax return. Foreign operations file income tax returns in a number of jurisdictions.  Deferred income taxes are computed using an asset and liability approach to reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and the corresponding income tax amounts. We have a variety of deferred tax assets in numerous tax jurisdictions. These deferred tax assets are subject to periodic assessment as to recoverability.  If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the benefits will not be realized, valuation allowances are recognized. In evaluating whether it is more likely than not that we would recover these deferred tax assets, future taxable income, the reversal of existing temporary differences and tax planning strategies are considered.

As of March 31, 2015, we had $23.2 million of valuation allowances on deferred tax assets, on a tax-effected basis, primarily related to foreign operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes. The valuation allowance was decreased in the current period by $1.9 million to reflect the expected realization of certain deferred assets in Australia.  We believe that our estimates for the valuation allowances recorded against deferred tax assets are appropriate based on current facts and circumstances. 

We account for uncertain income tax positions using a threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The difference between the tax benefit recognized in the financial statements for an uncertain income tax position and the tax benefit claimed in the tax return is referred to as an unrecognized tax benefit.

Employee Benefits Change

Employee Benefits Change

During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we implemented a new paid time off policy as part of our employee benefits programs, replacing certain previously existing vacation and sick time policies. In conjunction with these changes in policies, the vesting provisions with respect to the accumulation of paid time off were delayed resulting in the recognition and utilization of paid time off in the same benefits year. As a result of this change, significant portions of our existing accrued vacation balance were no longer necessary and we reversed $12.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and an additional $1.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 to reflect the change in vesting provisions.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. At present time, this guidance will be effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, ending December 31, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted.

In April 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date by one year to annual reporting periods beginning afterDecember 15, 2017. The FASB also proposed permitting early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Except as noted above, there have been no significant changes to our assessment of the impact of recently issued accounting standards included in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2014 Form 10-K.