Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency

The Company has designated the functional currency of Biolargo Water, Inc., our Canadian subsidiary, to be the Canadian dollar. Therefore, transaction gains and losses resulting from differences in exchange rates are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of

three

months or less or money market funds from substantial financial institutions to be cash equivalents. We place substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents with

one

financial institution. As of

December

31,

2016,

our cash deposits were greater than the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit of

$250,000

per owner. From time to time during the year we are exposed to credit loss for amounts in excess of insured limits in the event of non-performance by the institution, however, we do not anticipate non-performance.

Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded net of allowances for doubtful accounts. Estimates for allowances for doubtful accounts are determined based on payment history and individual customer circumstances. The allowance for doubtful accounts was

$3,818

December

31,

2015

and

December

31,

2016.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventory

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the average cost method. Inventories consisted of:

	DECEMBER 31, 2015		DECEMBER 31, 2016

Raw material	$	12,162	$	14,555
Finished goods		25,273		19,891
Total	$	37,435	$	34,446

Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other Assets

Other Assets consists of payments made to purchase patents related to our efforts in commercializing the Isan system and a security deposit of

$27,467

related to our business offices.

For each of the years ended

December

31,

2015

and

2016

we recorded amortization expense totaling

,920.

Long-lived and definite lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset

may

not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than the carrying amount of the asset, then an impairment loss is recognized. The impairment loss is measured based on the fair value of the asset. Any resulting impairment is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset in excess of fair value and a charge to operating results. For the years ended

December

31,

2015

and

2016,

management determined that there was no impairment of its long-lived assets.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

We report basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) for common and common share equivalents. Basic EPS is computed by dividing reported earnings by the weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed by adding to the weighted average shares the dilutive effect if stock options and warrants were exercised into common stock. For the years ended

December

31,

2015

and

2016,

the denominator in the diluted EPS computation is the same as the denominator for basic EPS due to the anti-dilutive effect of the warrants and stock options on the Company’s net loss.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for stock-based transactions, debt transactions, derivative liabilities, allowance for bad debt, asset depreciation and amortization, and payroll taxes, among others.

The methods, estimates and judgments we use in applying these most critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results of our financial statements.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Share-based Payments

For stock and stock options issued to consultants and other non-employees for services, the Company measures and records an expense as of the earlier of the date at which either: a commitment for performance by the non-employee has been reached or the non-employee’s performance is complete. The equity instruments are measured at the current fair value, and for stock options, the instruments are measured at fair value using the Black Scholes options model.

For equity instruments issued and outstanding where performance is not complete, but the instrument has been recorded, those instruments are measured again at their then current fair market values at each of the reporting dates (they are “marked-to market”) until the performance and the contract are complete.

Non Cash Transactions [Policy Text Block]

Non-Cash Transactions

We have established a policy relative to the methodology to determine the value assigned to each intangible we acquire, and/or services or products received for non-cash consideration of our common stock. The value is based on the market price of our common stock issued as consideration, at the date of the agreement of each transaction or when the service is rendered or product is received.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are recognized as risk and title to products transfers to the customer (which generally occurs at the time shipment is made), the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Although we don’t have a history of returns, we guarantee satisfaction of many of our products and would accept returns if requested by our customer. We also

may

generate revenues from royalties and license fees from our intellectual property. Licensees typically pay a license fee in

one

or more installments and ongoing royalties based on their sales of products incorporating or using our licensed intellectual property. License fees are recognized over the estimated period of future benefit to the average licensee.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income

Taxes

The asset and liability approach is used to recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of asset and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax asset and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We account for uncertainties in income tax law under a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns as prescribed by generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Under GAAP, the tax effects of a position are recognized only if it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority as of the reporting date. If the tax position is not considered “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained, then no benefits of the position are recognized.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Management believes the carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments as of

December

31,

2015

and

2016

approximate their

respective fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Such instruments consist of cash, accounts receivable, prepaid assets, accounts payable, lines of credit, and other assets and liabilities.

Government Grants [Policy Text Block]

Government Grants

We have been awarded grants from the Canadian National Research Institute – Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The government grants received are considered other income and are included in our consolidated statements of operations. We received our

first

grant in

2015

and have been awarded over

grants totaling approximately

$1,100,000.

Some of the funds from these grants are given directly to

third

parties (such as the University of Alberta) to support research on our technology. The grants have terms generally ranging between

six

and

eighteen

months and support a majority, but not all of the related research budget costs. This cooperative research allows us to utilize (i) a depth of resources and talent to accomplish highly skilled work, (ii) financial aid to support research and development costs, (iii) independent and credible validation of our technical claims.

The grants provide for (i) recurring monthly amounts and (ii) reimbursement of costs for research talent for which we invoice to request payment and (iii) ancillary cost reimbursement for research talent travel related costs. All awarded grants have specific requirements on how the money is spent, typically to employ researchers. None of the funds

may

be used for general administrative expenses or overhead in the United States. These grants have substantially increased our level of research and development activities in Canada. We continue to apply for Canadian government and agency grants to fund research and development activities. Not all of our grant applications have been awarded, and no assurance can be made that any pending grant application, or any future grant applications, will be awarded.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

February

2016,

the FASB issued ASU

2016

02,

"Leases (Topic

842),"

which will require lessees to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. For income statement purposes, the FASB retained a dual model, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting, but without explicit bright lines. Lessor accounting is similar to the current model, but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model and the new revenue recognition standard. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after

December

15,

2018,

including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has evaluated the impact of the standard and believes that it will not materially affect the financial statements and related disclosures.

March

2016,

the FASB issued ASU

2016

09,

Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic

718):

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

. The amendments in this update change existing guidance related to accounting for employee share-based payments affecting the income tax consequences of awards, classification of awards as equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU

2016

is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after

December

15,

2016,

including interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard.

April

2016,

the FASB issued ASU

2016

10,

“Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic

606):

Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”. The update provides guidance on identifying performance obligations and licensing:

Identifying Performance Obligations:

When identifying performance obligations, whether it is necessary to assess whether promised goods or services are performance obligations if they are immaterial in the context of the contract.

Determining whether promised goods and services are separately identifiable (that is, distinct within the context of the contract)

Determining whether shipping and handling activities are a promised service in a contract or are activities to fulfill an entity’s other promises in the contract.

Licensing:

Determining whether the nature of an entity’s promise in granting a license is to provide a right to access the entity’s intellectual property, which is satisfied over time and for which revenue is recognized over time, or to provide a right to use the entity’s intellectual property, which is satisfied at a point in time and for which revenue is recognized at a point in time.

The scope and applicability of the guidance about when to recognize revenue for sales-based or usage-based royalties promised in exchange for a license of intellectual property

Distinguishing contractual provisions that require an entity to transfer additional licenses (that is, rights to use or access intellectual property) to a customer from contractual provisions that define the

attributes of a promised license (for example, restrictions of time, geographical region, or use).

The amendments in this Update affect the guidance in Accounting Standards Update

2014

09,

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic

606),

which we are required to apply for annual periods beginning after

December

15,

2017.

Although management is still evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this standard, its preliminary analysis is that the new guidelines will not substantially impact our revenue presentation.

April

2015,

the FASB issued ASU

2015

03,

“Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic

835

30)”.

The update gives guidance as to the treatment of debt issuance costs, which requires entities to present debt issuance costs to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The Company has adopted this update and believes it does not have a material affect the financial statements and related disclosures.