SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

On September 16, 2002, the Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada. Effective December 17, 2008, the Company reincorporated from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware. The Company is principally devoted to developing and marketing plant-based or other DNA technology solutions in the United States, Europe and Asia. To date, the Company has produced limited recurring revenues from its products and services; it has incurred expenses and has sustained losses. Consequently, its operations are subject to all the risks inherent in the establishment of a biotechnology company.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, APDN (B.V.I.) Inc., Applied DNA Sciences Europe Limited, and Applied DNA Sciences India Private Limited which currently have no operations or activity. Applied DNA Sciences India Private Limited was incorporated in India on June 22, 2017. Significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. To facilitate comparison of information across periods, certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The most complex and subjective estimates include recoverability of long-lived assets, including the values assigned to goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, fair value calculations for stock based compensation, contingencies, allowance for doubtful accounts and management’s anticipated liquidity. Management reviews its estimates on a regular basis and the effects of any material revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are deemed necessary. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”). ASC 605 requires that four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred and/or service has been performed; (3) the selling price is fixed and determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. Determination of criteria (3) and (4) are based on management’s judgments regarding the fixed nature of the selling prices of the products delivered or services provided and the collectability of those amounts. Provisions for allowances and other adjustments are provided for in the same period the related sales are recorded. The Company defers any revenue for which the product has not been delivered, service has not been provided, or is subject to refund until such time that the Company and the customer jointly determine that the product has been delivered, the service has been provided, or no refund will be required. At September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded total deferred revenue of $351,735 and $2,737,588, respectively.

Revenue arrangements with multiple components are divided into separate units of accounting if certain criteria are met, including whether the delivered component has stand-alone value to the customer. Consideration received is allocated among the separate units of accounting based on their respective selling prices. The selling price for each unit is based on vendor-specific objective evidence, or VSOE, if available, third party evidence if VSOE is not available, or estimated selling price if neither VSOE nor third party is available. The applicable revenue recognition criteria are then applied to each of the units.

Revenue for government contract awards, which supports the Company’s development efforts on specific projects, is recognized as firm fixed price contract awards and are recognized over the period of the contract. The Company recognized revenue of approximately $249,348 and $1,064,105 from these contract awards during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company recognized the revenue under its memorandum of understanding ("MOU"), which expired on May 30, 2017, with LD Commodities Cotton LLC ("Dreyfus") when the product has been shipped, as there is no right of return under this arrangement and there is a commitment from their customer to purchase the marked cotton. The Company has evaluated the other indicators of gross and net revenue recognition, including whether or not the Company is the primary obligor and if it has general inventory risk. The Company did not have any general inventory risk and was not the primary obligor as it relates to the marketing portion of the cotton tagging fee. With respect to the Company’s former Mutual License Agreement with Himatsingka America Inc. (formerly known as Divatex Home Fashion, Inc.) (“Himatsingka”), the Company has evaluated all of the key gross and net revenue recognition indicators and has concluded that the circumstances as they relate to Himatsingka’s portion of the tagging fee are more consistent with those key indicators that support net revenue reporting. In addition, the nature of some of the Company’s cotton contracts includes extended payment terms that will result in a longer collection period and slower cash inflows.

On June 23, 2017, the Company entered into a new licensing agreement (the “Licensing Agreement”) with Himatsingka, which replaces the terms of the Mutual License Agreement and its former MOU with Dreyfus. Under the terms of the Licensing Agreement, Himatsingka is solely responsible for promoting, marketing and selling on a worldwide basis the Company’s technology with respect to finished and unfinished cotton products. The Licensing Agreement grants Himatsingka an exclusive license to use the Company’s technology in respect of cotton, subject to certain carve-outs including governmental users, non-commercial trade associations and others. The Licensing Agreement has a term that continues until June 23, 2042, except in the case of patents, in which case the term continues with respect to a patent until such patent is no longer in effect. As a result, the Company will no longer ship taggant to mark cotton pursuant to the terms of the MOU with Dreyfus. Instead, the Company will ship taggant to mark cotton to locations designated by Himatsingka, and Himatsingka will take possession of inventory upon shipment. The Licensing Agreement provides that Himatsingka will make payments for the use of the Company’s taggant technology on a net 60 days basis (with the exception of the first delivery which was on a 180 day basis). In addition, Himatsingka will make royalty payments on a quarterly basis in arrears in the event the Company’s technology is used on non-home products, as defined in the Licensing Agreement. Himatsingka is responsible for the inspection and compliance within the supply chain. Himatsingka is generally required to use the Company’s technology during the term of the Licensing Agreement, subject, among other things, to their customers’ requirements. As part of the Licensing Agreement, the Company will establish an independent testing laboratory in Ahmedabad, India. The Licensing Agreement includes customary mutual indemnification provisions. The cotton ginning season in the United States takes place between September and March each year, therefore, revenues from these customer contracts may be seasonal.

Cash Equivalents

For the purpose of the accompanying consolidated financial statements, all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts equal to the estimated uncollectible amounts. The Company’s estimate is based on historical collection experience and a review of the current status of trade accounts receivable. It is reasonably possible that the Company’s estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts will change.

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company classifies receivable amounts as current or long-term based on expected payment and records long-term accounts receivable when the collection period is expected to be greater than one year.

At September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company has an allowance for doubtful accounts of $10,000 and $32,965, respectively. The Company writes-off receivables that are deemed uncollectible.

Inventories

Inventories, which consist primarily of raw materials and finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or market, which cost determined by using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740-10”) which requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statement or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Temporary differences between taxable income reported for financial reporting purposes and income tax purposes include, but not limited to, accounting for intangibles, equity based compensation and depreciation and amortization. The Company evaluates the recoverability of deferred tax assets and establishes a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred losses from operations. Based upon these results and the trends in the Company’s performance projected for fiscal year 2018, it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize any benefit from the deferred tax assets recorded by the Company in previous periods. Management makes judgments as to the interpretation of tax laws that might be challenged upon an audit and cause changes to previous estimates of tax liability. In management’s opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for all years. If actual taxable income by tax jurisdiction varies from estimates, additional allowances or reversals of reserves may be necessary. The Company has identified its federal tax return and its state tax return in New York as “major” tax jurisdictions. Based on the Company’s evaluation, it has been concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company believes that its income tax positions and deductions will be sustained on audit and does not anticipate any adjustments that will result in a material change to its financial position. It is the Company’s policy to accrue interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as components of income tax provision. The Company did not have any accrued interest or penalties as of September 30, 2017 and 2016. Tax years 2013 through 2016 remain subject to future examination by the applicable taxing authorities.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight line method over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful life for computer equipment, lab equipment and furniture is 3 years and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their useful life or the lease terms. Property and equipment consist of:

	September 30,
	2017		2016
Computer equipment	$	85,413	$	70,134
Lab equipment		1,770,407		1,651,400
Furniture		44,592		44,592
Leasehold improvements		289,573		289,573
Total		2,189,985		2,055,699
Accumulated depreciation		1,666,297		1,263,200
Property and equipment, net	$	523,688	$	792,499

Depreciation expense for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $403,482 and $452,212, respectively.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates its long lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Events relating to recoverability may include significant unfavorable changes in business conditions, recurring losses, or a forecasted inability to achieve break-even operating results over an extended period. The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets based upon forecasted undiscounted cash flows. Should impairment in value be indicated, the carrying value of long-lived assets will be adjusted, based on estimates of future discounted cash flows resulting from the use and ultimate disposition of the asset. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded impairment expense of $253,977, as determined by non-recurring Level 3 inputs, related to capitalized software which is included in depreciation and amortization expense which is included in the consolidated statements of operations.

Net Loss per Share

The Company presents loss per share utilizing a dual presentation of basic and diluted loss per share. Basic loss per share includes no dilution and has been calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive common stock equivalents consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of the Company’s stock options and warrants.

For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, common stock equivalent shares are excluded from the computation of the diluted loss per share as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Securities that could potentially dilute basic net income per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per share because to do so would have been antidilutive for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

	2017		2016
Warrants		9,540,455		7,208,060
Employee options		5,333,227		4,403,234
		14,873,682		11,611,294

Stock Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation for employees and directors in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the statement of operations based on their fair values. Under the provisions of ASC 718, stock-based compensation costs are measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and are recognized as expense over the employee’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant). The fair value of the Company’s common stock options is estimated using the Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: expected volatility, dividend rate, risk free interest rate and the expected life. The Company expenses stock-based compensation by using the straight-line method. In accordance with ASC 718, excess tax benefits realized from the exercise of stock-based awards are classified in cash flows from financing activities. The future realization of the reserved deferred tax assets related to these tax benefits associated with the exercise of stock options will result in a credit to additional paid in capital if the related tax deduction reduces taxes payable. The Company has elected the “with and without approach” regarding ordering of windfall tax benefits to determine whether the windfall tax benefit did reduce taxes payable in the current year. Under this approach, the windfall tax benefit would be recognized in additional paid-in-capital only if an incremental tax benefit is realized after considering all other benefits presently available.

The Company accounts for stock based compensation awards issued to non-employees for services, as prescribed by ASC 718-10, at either the fair value of the services rendered or the instruments issued in exchange for such services, whichever is more readily determinable, using the measurement date guidelines enumerated in ASC 505-50.

Concentrations

Financial instruments and related items, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and trade receivables. The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments with high credit quality institutions. At times, such investments may be in excess of the FDIC insurance limit.

The Company’s revenues earned from sale of products and services for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 include 29%, 26%, 13% and 10%, respectively from four customers of the Company’s total revenues. These customers accounted for approximately 97% of the Company’s total accounts receivable at September 30, 2017. At September 30, 2017, one customer accounted for an aggregate of 80% of the Company’s total accounts receivable.

The Company’s revenues earned from sale of products and services for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2016 include 33%, 29% and 13%, respectively, from three customers of the Company’s total revenues. These three customers accounted for approximately 20% of the Company’s total accounts receivable at September 30, 2016. At September 30, 2016, one customer accounted for an aggregate of 78% of the Company’s total accounts receivable.

Research and Development

The Company accounts for research and development costs in accordance with the ASC 730, Research and Development (“ASC 730”). Under ASC 730, all research and development costs must be charged to expense as incurred. Accordingly, internal research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Third-party research and development costs are expensed when the contracted work has been performed or as milestone results have been achieved. Company-sponsored research and development costs related to both present and future products are expensed in the period incurred. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred research and development expenses of $2,282,362 and $3,700,837, respectively.

Advertising

The Company follows the policy of charging the costs of advertising to expense as incurred. The Company charged to operations $315,266 and $245,281, as advertising costs for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company amortizes its intangible assets using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit. All of the Company’s intangible assets, except for goodwill are subject to amortization.

Goodwill arises as a result of business acquisitions. Goodwill consists of the excess of the cost of the acquisitions over the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at least annually. The Company qualitatively and quantitatively determines whether, more likely than not, the fair value exceeds the carrying amount of a reporting unit. There are numerous assumptions and estimates underlying the quantitative assessments including future earnings, long-term strategies, and the Company’s annual planning and forecasts. If these planned initiatives do not accomplish the targeted objectives, the assumptions and estimates underlying the quantitative assessments could be adversely affected and have a material effect upon the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. As of September 30, 2017 and 2016 goodwill and other intangible impairment assessments indicated that there was no impairment.

Internally Developed Software

Internally developed software products, consist of capitalized costs associated with the development of computer software to be sold, leased or otherwise marketed. Software development costs associated with new products are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility, as defined in FASB ASC Topic 985-20, has been established. Costs incurred thereafter are capitalized until the product is made generally available. The stage during the Company’s development process for a new product or new release at which technological feasibility requirements are established affects the amount of costs capitalized. Annual amortization of internally developed software products is the greater of the amount computed using the ratio that current gross revenues for a product bear to the total of current and anticipated future gross revenues for that product or the straight-line method over the remaining estimated economic life of the software product, generally estimated to be 5 years from the date the product became available for general release to customers. The Company generally recognizes amortization expense for capitalized software costs using the straight-line method. Internally developed software products are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its fair value. As of September 30, 2017 the Company recorded $253,977 of impairment expense relating to the capitalized software project which the Company does not forecast will have significant cash inflows.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The valuation techniques utilized are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect internal market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices 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 related asset or liabilities.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of assets or liabilities.

The Company utilizes observable market inputs (quoted market prices) when measuring fair value whenever possible.

For fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s accounting and finance department, who report to the Chief Financial Officer, determine its valuation policies and procedures. The development and determination of the unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements and fair value calculations are the responsibility of the Company’s accounting and finance department and are approved by the Chief Financial Officer.

Recently Issued Accounting Principles

In July 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a two-part Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-11, I. Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments With Down Round Features and II. Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests With a Scope Exception (“ASU 2017-11”). ASU 2017-11 amends guidance in FASB ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, FASB ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The amendments in Part I of ASU 2017-11 change the classification analysis of certain equity-linked financial instruments (or embedded features) with down round features. The amendments in Part II of ASU 2017-11 re-characterize the indefinite deferral of certain provisions of Topic 480 that now are presented as pending content in the Codification, to a scope exception. Those amendments do not have an accounting effect. ASU 2017-11 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance.

In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Updated (“ASU”) 2017-09, Compensation – “Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting”, which provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. This pronouncement is effective for annual reporting periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-09 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business” (“ASU 2017-01”). The amendments in this update are to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”). The purpose of the amendment is to simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. For public entities, the amendments in ASU 2017-04 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2017-04 on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." The objective of this update is to simplify several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe this will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." The objective of this update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods and is to be applied utilizing a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it may have on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes" ("ASU 2015-17"). This update requires an entity to classify deferred tax liabilities and assets as noncurrent within a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. This update may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. Early application is permitted as of the beginning of the interim or annual reporting period. The Company expects the impact of the adoption of this pronouncement on its consolidated balance sheet to be a reclassification only, and does not expect the pronouncement to have a significant impact.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (Topic 330)” ("ASU 2015-11"). ASU 2015-11 simplifies the accounting for the valuation of all inventory not accounted for using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method by prescribing that inventory be valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016 on a prospective basis. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-11 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which was subsequently modified in August 2015 by ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date. This guidance will be effective for fiscal years (and interim reporting periods within those years) beginning after December 15, 2017. The core principle of ASU No. 2014-09 is that companies should recognize revenue when the transfer of promised goods or services to customers occurs in an amount that reflects what the company expects to receive. It requires additional disclosures to describe the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. In 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued additional ASUs that clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations (ASU 2016-08), on identifying performance obligations and licensing (ASU 2016-10), and on narrow-scope improvements and practical expedients (ASU 2016-12), revenue recognition criteria and other technical corrections (ASU 2016-20) as well as clarifying the scope of asset derecognition guidance and accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets (ASU 2017-05). The Company is in the process of evaluating the provisions of these ASU’s and assessing the potential effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. However, based upon the revenue recognized for the current contracts in place as of September 30, 2017, we expect to identify similar performance obligations under these ASUs as compared with the deliverables and separate units of accounting previously identified. The Company is also evaluating the transition guidance under ASU 2014-09 to determine if it will apply the full retrospective or modified retrospective approach.