Significant Accounting Policies

Income Taxes

The Company’s interim period tax provision is determined as follows:


•	At the end of each fiscal quarter, the Company estimates the income tax provision that will be provided for the fiscal year.


•	The forecasted annual effective tax rate is applied to the year-to-date ordinary income (loss) at the end of each quarter to compute the year-to-date tax applicable to ordinary income (loss). The term ordinary income (loss) refers to income (loss) from continuing operations, before income taxes, excluding significant, unusual or infrequently occurring items.

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The tax effects of significant, unusual or infrequently occurring items are recognized as discrete items in the interim periods in which the events occur. The impact of changes in tax laws or rates on deferred tax amounts, the effects of changes in judgment about valuation allowances established in prior years, and changes in tax reserves resulting from the finalization of tax audits or reviews are examples of significant, unusual or infrequently occurring items.

The determination of the forecasted annual effective tax rate is based upon a number of significant estimates and judgments, including the forecasted annual income (loss) before income taxes of the Company in each tax jurisdiction in which it operates, the development of tax planning strategies during the year, and the need for a valuation allowance. In addition, the Company’s tax expense can be impacted by changes in tax rates or laws, the finalization of tax audits and reviews, as well as other factors that cannot be predicted with certainty. As such, there can be significant volatility in interim tax provisions.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-5, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement.” This update provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license or should be accounted for differently. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance does not change generally accepted accounting principles for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. This update is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company has prospectively adopted this new standard on January 1, 2016 and concluded that it does not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, “Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting revenue gross versus net),” which clarifies gross versus net revenue reporting when another party is involved in the transaction. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing,” which amends the revenue guidance on identifying performance obligations and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-11, “Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of ASU 2014-09 Pursuant to Staff Announcement at March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting,” which rescinds certain SEC Staff Observer comments upon adoption of Topic 606. In May 2016, the FASB also issued ASU 2016-12, “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,” which provides certain improvements and practical expedients in the interpretation and application of this topic. There are two transition methods available under the new standard, either cumulative effect or retrospective. These standards will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018. Earlier adoption is permitted only for annual periods after December 15, 2016. Management is still assessing the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory,” which changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost or net realizable value for entities that measure inventory using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. This ASU is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017. Earlier adoption is permitted and the guidance must be applied prospectively after the date of adoption. Management is still assessing the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09,“Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which provides for simplification of certain aspects of employee share-based payment accounting including income taxes, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017 and will be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or using a modified retrospective transition approach depending on the area covered in this update. Earlier adoption is permitted. Management is still assessing the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-01 amends various aspects of the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure for financial instruments. With respect to the Company's consolidated financial statements, the most significant impact relates to the accounting for equity investments. This standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018. Early adoption is prohibited for those provisions that apply to the Company. Amendments should be applied by means of cumulative effect adjustment to the consolidated balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The amendments related to equity securities without readily determinable fair values including disclosure requirements should be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption of the ASU. Management is still assessing the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Subtopic 842).” This ASU increases the transparency and comparability of organizations by recognizing lease assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and disclosing key quantitative and qualitative information about leasing arrangements. The principal difference from previous guidance is that the lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases were not previously recognized in the consolidated balance sheet. The recognition, measurement, presentation and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed. This standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach, which includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. Management is currently assessing the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) No. 2016-13-Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The new standard requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. It replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. There are two transition methods available under the new standard dependent upon the type of financial instrument, either cumulative effect or prospective. The standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2020. Earlier adoption is permitted only for annual periods after December 15, 2018. Management is currently assessing the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.