XML 18 R7.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.24.1.u1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Realty Income Corporation (“Realty Income,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”), a Maryland corporation, is an S&P 500 company and real estate partner to the world's leading companies. The Company was founded in 1969 and our shares of common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol “O”.
As of March 31, 2024, we owned or held interests in a diversified portfolio of 15,485 properties located in all 50 states of the United States ("U.S."), the United Kingdom ("U.K."), and six other countries in Europe, with approximately 334.2 million square feet of leasable space.
In January 2024, we completed our merger with Spirit Realty Capital, Inc. (“Spirit”). For more details, please see note 2, Merger with Spirit Realty Capital, Inc.
Basis of Presentation. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The U.S. Dollar ("USD") is our reporting currency. Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are expressed in USD.
For our consolidated subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the USD, we translate their financial statements into USD at the time we consolidate those subsidiaries’ financial statements. Generally, assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. The resulting translation adjustments are included in 'Accumulated other comprehensive income' ("AOCI"), on our consolidated balance sheets. Certain balance sheet items, primarily equity and capital-related accounts, are reflected at the historical exchange rate. Income statement accounts are translated using the average exchange rate for the period.
We and certain of our consolidated subsidiaries have intercompany and third-party debt that is not denominated in our functional currency. When the debt is remeasured to the functional currency of the entity, a gain or loss can result. The resulting adjustment is reflected in 'Foreign currency and derivative gain, net' in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. In the statement of cash flows, cash flows denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the respective cash flows or at average exchange rates for the period, depending on the nature of the cash flow items.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals) necessary to present a fair statement of results for the interim periods presented have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily an indication of the results that may be expected for the entire year. Readers of this quarterly report should refer to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, which are included in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as certain disclosures that would substantially duplicate those contained in the audited financial statements have not been included in this report.
Principles of Consolidation. These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Realty Income and all other entities in which we have a controlling financial interest. We evaluate whether we have a controlling financial interest in an entity in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 810, Consolidation.
Voting interest entities ("VOEs") are entities considered to have sufficient equity at risk and which the equity holders have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns and the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities. We consolidate voting interest entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, which we typically have through holding of a majority of the entity’s voting equity interests.
Variable interest entities ("VIEs") are entities that lack sufficient equity at risk or where the equity holders either do not have the obligation to absorb losses, do not have the right to receive residual returns, do not have the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities, or some combination of the above. A controlling financial interest in a VIE is present when an entity has a variable interest, or a combination of variable interests, that provides the entity with (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially
be significant to the VIE. An entity that meets both conditions above is deemed the primary beneficiary and consolidates the VIE. We reassess our initial evaluation of whether an entity is a VIE when certain reconsideration events occur. We reassess our determination of whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE on an ongoing basis based on current facts and circumstances.
At March 31, 2024, we are considered the primary beneficiary of Realty Income, L.P. and certain investments, including investments in joint ventures. Below is a summary of selected financial data of such consolidated VIEs, included on our consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Net real estate
$2,847,404$2,866,272 
Total assets
$3,582,159$3,588,720 
Total liabilities
$140,588$134,366 
The portion of a consolidated entity not owned by us is recorded as a noncontrolling interest. Noncontrolling interests are reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as a component of equity. Noncontrolling interests that were created or assumed as part of a business combination or asset acquisition were recognized at fair value as of the date of the transaction (see note 11, Noncontrolling Interests).
Use of Estimates. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Segment Reporting. We report our results in a single reportable segment, which reflects how our chief operating decision maker allocates resources and assesses our performance.
Income Taxes. We have elected to be taxed as a REIT, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 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 in the U.S., we generally will not be required to pay U.S. 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 ("TRS"). A TRS is a subsidiary of a REIT that is subject to federal, state and local income taxes, as applicable. Our use of TRS entities enables us 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. For our international territories, we are liable for taxes in the U.K. and Spain. Accordingly, provisions have been made for U.K. and Spain income taxes. Therefore, the income taxes recorded on our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income represent amounts accrued or paid by Realty Income and its subsidiaries for U.S. income taxes on our TRS entities, city and state income and franchise taxes, and income taxes for the U.K. and Spain.
Earnings and profits that determine the taxability of distributions to stockholders differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes primarily 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 international, 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 tax positions have been recorded on our consolidated financial statements.
Lease 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 client’s sales, or percentage rent, is recognized only after such client exceeds its sales breakpoint. Rental increases based upon changes in the consumer price indices are recognized only after the changes in the indexes have occurred and are then applied according to the lease agreements. Contractually obligated rental revenue from our clients for recoverable real estate taxes and operating expenses are included in contractually obligated reimbursements by our clients, a
component of rental revenue, in the period when such costs are incurred. Taxes and operating expenses paid directly by our clients are recorded on a net basis.
Other revenue includes certain property-related revenue not included in rental revenue and interest income recognized on financing receivables for certain leases with above-market terms.
We assess the probability of collecting substantially all of the lease payments to which we are entitled under the original lease contract as required under ASC 842, Leases. We assess the collectability of our future lease payments based on an analysis of creditworthiness, economic trends and other facts and circumstances related to the applicable clients. If we conclude the collection of substantially all of the lease payments under a lease is less than probable, rental revenue recognized for that lease is limited to cash received going forward, existing operating lease receivables, including those related to straight-line rental revenue, must be written off as an adjustment to rental revenue, and no further operating lease receivables are recorded for that lease until such future determination is made that substantially all lease payments under that lease are now considered probable. If we subsequently conclude that the collection of substantially all lease payments under a lease is probable, a reversal of lease receivables previously written off is recognized.
Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted.
In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2023-09, Income Taxes, to enhance income tax disclosures, provide more information about tax risks and opportunities present in worldwide operations, and to disaggregate existing income tax disclosures. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 on a prospective basis, with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact on our financial statement disclosures.
In November 2023, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting, establishing improvements to reportable segments disclosures to enhance segment reporting under Topic 280. This ASU aims to change how public entities identify and aggregate operating segments and apply quantitative thresholds to determine their reportable segments. This ASU also requires public entities that operate as a single reportable segment to provide all segment disclosures in Topic 280, not just entity level disclosures. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and the amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating the impact on our financial statement disclosures.