Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Procedures and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Federal Income Taxes. We have elected to be taxed as a REIT, as defined above, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. We believe we have qualified and continue to qualify as a REIT. Under the REIT operating structure, we are permitted to deduct dividends paid to our stockholders in determining our taxable income. Assuming our dividends equal or exceed our taxable net income, we generally will not be required to pay federal corporate income taxes on such income. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, except for federal income taxes of our taxable REIT subsidiaries. The income taxes recorded on our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income represent amounts paid by Realty Income and its subsidiaries for city and state income and franchise taxes.

Earnings and profits that determine the taxability of distributions to stockholders differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes due to differences in the estimated useful lives and methods used to compute depreciation and the carrying value (basis) of the investments in properties for tax purposes, among other things.

We regularly analyze our various federal and state filing positions and only recognize the income tax effect in our financial statements when certain criteria regarding uncertain income tax positions have been met. We believe that our income tax positions would more likely than not be sustained upon examination by all relevant taxing authorities. Therefore, no provisions for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded in our financial statements.

Net Income per Common Share. Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders, plus income attributable to dilutive shares and convertible common units, for the period by the weighted average number of common shares that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares for all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the reporting period.

The following is a reconciliation of the denominator of the basic net income per common share computation to the denominator of the diluted net income per common share computation.



	2018	2017	2016
Weighted average shares used for the basic net income per share computation	289,427,430	273,465,680	255,066,500
Incremental shares from share-based compensation	179,532	154,050	240,728
Weighted average partnership common units convertible to common shares that were dilutive	317,022	317,022	317,022
Weighted average shares used for diluted net income per share computation	289,923,984	273,936,752	255,624,250
Unvested shares from share-based compensation that were anti-dilutive	13,148	32,205	475
Weighted average partnership common units convertible to common shares that were anti-dilutive	297,576	88,182	198,429

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable. The majority of our leases are accounted for as operating leases. Under this method, leases that have fixed and determinable rent increases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Any rental revenue contingent upon a tenant’s sales is recognized only after the tenant exceeds their sales breakpoint. Rental increases based upon changes in the consumer price indexes are recognized only after the changes in the indexes have occurred and are then applied according to the lease agreements. Contractually obligated reimbursements from tenants for recoverable real estate taxes and operating expenses are included in tenant reimbursements in the period when such costs are incurred.

Other revenue, which comprises property-related revenue not included in rental revenue or tenant reimbursements, was $6.3 million in 2018, $3.5 million in 2017 and $2.7 million in 2016.

Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Realty Income and other subsidiaries for which we make operating and financial decisions (i.e. control), after elimination of all material intercompany balances and transactions. We consolidate entities that we control and record a noncontrolling interest for the portion that we do not own. Noncontrolling interest that was created or assumed as part of a business combination was recognized at fair value as of the date of the transaction (see note 11). We have no unconsolidated investments.

Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash. We consider all short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash and have an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Our cash equivalents are primarily investments in United States government money market funds. Restricted cash includes cash proceeds from the sale of assets held by qualified intermediaries in anticipation of the acquisition of replacement properties in tax-free exchanges under Section 1031 of the Code, impounds related to mortgages payable and cash that is not immediately available to Realty Income (i.e. escrow deposits for future acquisitions).

Cash accounts maintained on behalf of Realty Income in demand deposits at commercial banks and money market funds may exceed federally insured levels or may be held in accounts without any federal insurance or any other insurance or guarantee. However, Realty Income has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Gain on Sales of Properties. When real estate is sold, the related net book value of the applicable assets is removed and a gain from the sale is recognized in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. We record a gain from the sale of real estate provided that various criteria, relating to the terms of the sale and any subsequent involvement by us with the real estate, have been met.

Allocation of the Purchase Price of Real Estate Acquisitions. A majority of our acquisitions qualify as asset acquisitions and the transaction costs associated with those acquisitions are capitalized. When acquiring a property for investment purposes, we typically allocate the cost of real estate acquired, inclusive of transaction costs, to: (1) land, (2) building and improvements, and (3) identified intangible assets and liabilities, based in each case on their relative estimated fair values. Intangible assets and liabilities consist of above-market or below-market lease value of in-place leases and the value of in-place leases, as applicable. In an acquisition of multiple properties, we must also allocate the purchase price among the properties. The allocation of the purchase price is based on our assessment of estimated fair value and is often based upon the expected future cash flows of the property and various characteristics of the markets where the property is located. In addition, any assumed mortgages receivable or payable are recorded at their estimated fair values. The estimated fair values of our mortgages payable have been calculated by discounting the future cash flows using applicable interest rates that have been adjusted for factors, such as industry type, tenant investment grade, maturity date, and comparable borrowings for similar assets. The use of different assumptions in the allocation of the purchase price of the acquired properties and liabilities assumed could affect the timing of recognition of the related revenue and expenses.

Our estimated fair value determinations are based on management’s judgment, utilizing various factors, including: (1) market conditions, (2) industry that the tenant operates in, (3) characteristics of the real estate, i.e.: location, size, demographics, value and comparative rental rates, (4) tenant credit profile, (5) store profitability and the importance of the location of the real estate to the operations of the tenant’s business, and/or (6) real estate valuations, prepared internally by our real estate research department or, in certain circumstances, by an independent valuation firm. Our methodologies for measuring fair value related to the allocation of the purchase price of real estate acquisitions include both observable market data (and thus should be categorized as level 2 on the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB’s, three-level valuation hierarchy) and unobservable inputs that reflect our own internal assumptions and calculations (and thus should be categorized as level 3 on FASB’s three-level valuation hierarchy).

The fair value of the tangible assets of an acquired property with an in-place operating lease (which includes land and buildings/improvements) is determined by valuing the property as if it were vacant, and the “as-if-vacant” value is then allocated to land and buildings/improvements based on our determination of the fair value of these assets. Our fair value determinations are based primarily on internally prepared real estate valuations for each property, and consider estimates of carrying costs during the expected lease-up periods, current market conditions, as well as costs to execute similar leases. In allocating the fair value to identified intangibles for above-market or below-market leases, an amount is recorded based on the present value of the difference between (i) the contractual amount to be paid pursuant to the in-place lease and (ii) our estimate of fair market lease rate for the corresponding in-place lease, measured over the remaining term of the lease.

The values of the above-market and below-market leases are amortized over the term of the respective leases, including any bargain renewal options, as an adjustment to rental revenue on our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The value of in-place leases, exclusive of the value of above-market and below-market in-place leases, is amortized to depreciation and amortization expense over the remaining periods of the respective leases. If a lease is terminated prior to its stated expiration, all unamortized amounts relating to that lease are recorded to revenue or expense as appropriate.

In allocating the fair value to assumed mortgages, amounts are recorded to debt premiums or discounts based on the present value of the estimated cash flows, which is calculated to account for either above or below-market interest rates. Our assumed net debt premiums are amortized as a reduction to interest expense over the remaining term of the respective mortgages.

In allocating noncontrolling interests, amounts are recorded based on the proportional share of equity issued or contributions made at the date of acquisition, as determined by the terms of the applicable agreement.

Depreciation and Amortization. Land, buildings and improvements are recorded and stated at cost. Major replacements and betterments, which improve or extend the life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives, while ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Buildings and improvements that are under redevelopment, or are being developed, are carried at cost and no depreciation is recorded on these assets. Additionally, amounts essential to the development of the property, such as pre-construction, development, construction, interest and other costs incurred during the period of development are capitalized. We cease capitalization when the property is available for occupancy upon substantial completion of tenant improvements, but in any event no later than one year from the completion of major construction activity.

Properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:



Buildings	25 years or 35 years
Building improvements	4 to 20 years
Tenant improvements and lease commissions	The shorter of the term of the related lease or useful life
Acquired in-place leases	Remaining terms of the respective leases

Provision for Impairment. We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. A provision is made for impairment if estimated future operating cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) plus estimated disposition proceeds (undiscounted) are less than the current book value of the property. Key factors that we utilize in this analysis include projected rental rates, estimated holding periods, historical sales and re-leases, capital expenditures and property sales capitalization rates. If a property is classified as held for sale, it is carried at the lower of carrying cost or estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, and depreciation of the property ceases.

If a property was previously reclassified as held for sale but the applicable criteria for this classification are no longer met, the property is reclassified to real estate held for investment. A property that is reclassified to held for investment is measured and recorded at the lower of (i) its carrying amount 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 for investment, or (ii) the fair value at the date of the subsequent decision not to sell.

Seventeen properties were classified as held for sale at December 31, 2018. We do not depreciate properties that are classified as held for sale.

In 2018, we recorded total provisions for impairment of $26.3 million on six properties classified as held for sale, three properties classified as held for investment, and 35 sold properties. In 2017, we recorded total provisions for impairment of $14.8 million on one property classified as held for sale, three properties classified as held for investment, and 22 sold properties. In 2016, we recorded total provisions for impairment of $20.7 million on one property classified as held for sale and 38 sold properties.

Goodwill. We assign a portion of our goodwill to our applicable property sales, which results in a reduction of the carrying amount of our goodwill. In order to allocate goodwill to the carrying amount of properties that we sell, we utilize a relative fair value approach based on the original methodology for assigning goodwill. Goodwill is tested for impairment during the second quarter of each year as well as when events or circumstances occur indicating that our goodwill might be impaired. Based on our analysis of goodwill during the second quarters of 2018, 2017 and 2016, we determined, that the fair values of our reporting units were not more likely than not to be less than their respective carrying amounts and no impairment was recorded on our existing goodwill during 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Equity Offering Costs. Underwriting commissions and offering costs have been reflected as a reduction of additional paid-in-capital on our consolidated balance sheets.

Noncontrolling Interests. Noncontrolling interests are reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as a component of equity. Noncontrolling interests acquired prior to our adoption of ASU 2017-1, were recorded initially at fair value based on the price of the applicable units issued or contributions made, and subsequently adjusted each period for distributions, additional contributions and the allocation of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests. Noncontrolling interests issued or assumed subsequent to our adoption of ASU 2017-01 on October 1, 2017, were recorded based on the proportional share of equity in the entity.

Derivative and Hedging Activities. We record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether we have 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. We may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or we elect not to apply hedge accounting.

As of December 31, 2018 we had three interest rate swaps in place, including one on each of our $250.0 million unsecured term loans and the third on an assumed mortgage loan. Our objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. In October 2018, we designated these three interest rate swaps as hedges and adopted hedge accounting treatment in accordance with Topic 815, "Derivatives and Hedging." From the adoption date through the end of 2018, the effective portion of gains or losses on our interest rate swaps were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018, instead of through interest expense on our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Use of Estimates. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2014-9, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU, as amended by ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date, outlines a comprehensive model for companies to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers, and will apply to transactions such as the sale of real estate. This ASU, which is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict 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 and also to provide certain additional disclosures. We adopted this standard effective as of January 1, 2018 and utilized the cumulative effect transition method of adoption. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-2 (Topic 842, Leases), which amended Topic 840, Leases. Under this amended topic, the accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under Topic 840, Leases. The large majority of operating leases should remain classified as operating leases, and lessors should continue to recognize lease income for those leases on a generally straight-line basis over the lease term. Although primarily a lessor, we are also a lessee under several ground lease arrangements. Upon adoption, we will recognize lease obligations for ground leases with a corresponding right of use asset. We expect our right of use asset to be approximately 1% percent of our total assets upon adoption. The amendments included in this topic are effective, for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We adopted this standard when it becomes effective as of January 1, 2019, and we elected the practical expedients available for implementation under the standard.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, which amended Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The purpose of this updated guidance is to better align a company’s financial reporting for hedging activities with the economic objectives of those activities. The transition guidance provides companies with the option of early adopting the new standard using a modified retrospective transition method in any interim period after issuance of the update, or alternatively requires adoption for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. We early adopted this standard effective as of October 24, 2018, and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.