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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company
Tejon Ranch Co. (the Company, Tejon, we, us and our) is a diversified real estate development and agribusiness company committed to responsibly using our land and resources to meet the housing, employment, and lifestyle needs of Californians. Current operations consist of land planning and entitlement, land development, commercial sales and leasing, leasing of land for mineral royalties, water asset management and sales, grazing leases, income portfolio management, and farming.
These activities are performed through our five segments:
Real Estate - Commercial/Industrial
Real Estate - Resort/Residential
Mineral Resources
Farming
Ranch Operations
Our prime asset is approximately 270,000 acres of contiguous, largely undeveloped land that, at its most southerly border, is 60 miles north of Los Angeles and, at its most northerly border, is 15 miles east of Bakersfield. We create value by securing entitlements for our land, facilitating infrastructure development, strategic land planning, development, and conservation, in order to maximize the highest and best use for our land.
We are involved in several joint ventures, which facilitate the development of portions of our land. We are also actively engaged in land planning, land entitlement, and conservation projects.
Any references to the number of acres, number of buildings, square footage, number of leases, occupancy, and any amounts derived from these values in the notes to the consolidated financial statements are unaudited.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, and the accounts of all subsidiaries and investments in which a controlling interest is held by the Company. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We have evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of our consolidated financial statements.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount for cash equivalents approximates fair value.
Marketable Securities
The Company considers those investments not qualifying as cash equivalents, but which are readily marketable, to be marketable securities. The Company classifies all marketable securities as available-for-sale. These are stated at fair value with the unrealized gains (losses), net of tax, reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of equity.
Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
For joint ventures that the Company does not control, but over which it exercises significant influence, the Company uses the equity method of accounting. The Company's judgment with regard to its level of influence or control of an entity involves consideration of various factors including the form of its ownership interest; its representation in the entity's governance; its ability to participate in policy-making decisions; and the rights of other investors to participate in the decision-making process, to replace the Company as manager, and/or to liquidate the venture. These ventures are recorded at cost and adjusted for equity in earnings (losses) and cash contributions and distributions. Any difference between the carrying amount of these investments on the Company’s balance sheet and the underlying equity in net assets on the joint venture’s balance sheet is adjusted as the related underlying assets are depreciated, amortized, or sold. The Company generally allocates income and loss from an unconsolidated joint venture based on the venture's distribution priorities, which may be different from its stated ownership percentage.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of its investment in unconsolidated joint ventures in accordance with accounting standards for equity investments by first reviewing each investment for any indicators of impairment. If indicators are present, the Company estimates the fair value of the investment. If the carrying value of the investment is greater than the estimated fair value, management makes an assessment of whether the impairment is “temporary” or “other-than-temporary.” In making this assessment, management considers the following: (1) the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the entity, and (3) the Company’s intent and ability to retain its interest long enough for a recovery in market value. If management concludes that the impairment is "other than temporary," the Company reduces the investment to its estimated fair value.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The Company follows the Financial Accounting Standards Board's authoritative guidance for fair value measurements of certain financial instruments. The guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the exchange (exit) price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Observable inputs are those which can be easily seen by market participants while unobservable inputs are generally developed internally, utilizing management’s estimates and assumptions:
Level 1 – Valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2 – Valuation is determined from quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, or by model-based techniques in which all significant inputs are observable in the market.
Level 3 – Valuation is derived from model-based techniques in which at least one significant input is unobservable and based on our own estimates about the assumptions that market participants would use to value the asset or liability.
When available, we use quoted market prices in active markets to determine fair value. We consider the principal market and nonperformance risk associated with our counterparties when determining the fair value measurement. Fair value measurements are used on a recurring basis for marketable securities, investments within the pension plan and hedging instruments, if any.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
In October 2014, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Wells Fargo. See Note 8 (Line of Credit and Long-Term Debt) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail regarding this interest rate swap related to the Company's Credit Facility. We believe it is prudent at times to limit the variability of floating-rate interest payments and in the past have entered into interest rate swaps to manage those fluctuations. 
We recognize interest rate swap agreements as either an asset or liability on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, further, on the type of hedging relationship. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, a Company must designate the hedging instrument, based on the hedged exposure, as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. Our interest rate swap agreement is considered a cash flow hedge because it was designed to match the terms of the Term Loan as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the earnings effect of the hedged transactions in a cash flow hedge. This interest rate swap agreement will be evaluated based on whether it is deemed “highly effective” in reducing our exposure to variable interest rates. We formally document all relationships between interest rate swap agreements and hedged items, including the method for evaluating effectiveness and the risk strategy. We make an assessment at the inception of each interest rate swap agreement and on a quarterly basis to determine whether these instruments are “highly effective” in offsetting changes in cash flows associated with the hedged items. The ineffective portion of each interest rate swap agreement is immediately recognized in earnings. While we intend to continue to meet the conditions for such hedge accounting, if swaps did not qualify as “highly effective,” the changes in the fair values of the derivatives used as hedges would be reflected in earnings.
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of our interest rate swap agreements that are designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. Amounts classified in accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. The fair value of each interest rate swap agreement is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analyses on the expected cash flows of each derivative. These analyses reflect the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and use observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities (also referred to as “significant other observable inputs”). The fair values of our interest rate swap agreements are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted expected variable cash receipts. The variable cash receipts are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. The fair value calculation also includes an amount for risk of non-performance using “significant unobservable inputs” such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default, which we have determined to be insignificant to the overall fair value of our interest rate swap agreements.
Variable Interest Entity
We evaluate all of our interests in VIEs for consolidation. When our interests are determined to be variable interests, we assess whether we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is required to consolidate the VIE. A primary beneficiary is defined as the party that has both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from the VIE which could be potentially significant. We consider our variable interests as well as any variable interests of our related parties in making this determination. Where both of these factors are present, we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary and we consolidate the VIE. Where either one of these factors is not present, we are not the primary beneficiary and do not consolidate the VIE.

To assess whether we have the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, we consider all facts and circumstances, including our role in establishing the VIE and our ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes first, identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance; and second, identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. In general, the parties that make the most significant decisions affecting the VIE or have the right to unilaterally remove those decision makers are deemed to have the power to direct the activities of a VIE.

Effective January 1, 2016, we implemented Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) – Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which specifies that the right to remove the decision maker in a VIE must be exercisable without cause for the decision maker to not be deemed the party that has the power to direct the activities of a VIE. The application of the ASU to our pre-existing entities did not change our respective conclusions as to whether or not they should be consolidated.
 
To assess whether we have 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, we consider all of our economic interests, including debt and equity investments, servicing fees, and other arrangements deemed to be variable interests in the VIE. This assessment requires that we apply judgment in determining whether these interests, in the aggregate, are considered potentially significant to the VIE. Factors considered in assessing significance include: the design of the VIE, including its capitalization structure; subordination of interests; payment priority; relative share of interests held across various classes within the VIE’s capital structure; and the reasons why the interests are held by us.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had one VIE consolidated in our financial statements see Note 17 (Investment in Unconsolidated and Consolidated Joint Ventures) to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
Credit Risk
The Company grants credit in the course of operations to co-ops, wineries, nut marketing companies, and lessees of the Company’s facilities. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral.
Our commercial revenues are derived primarily from rental payments and reimbursement of operating expenses under our leases. If our client tenants fail to make rental payments under their leases, our financial condition, and cash flows could be adversely affected. Please refer to Rental Income for process of evaluating and monitoring credit quality of tenants.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the PEF power plant lease generated approximately 11% and 8% of our total revenues, respectively. We had no customers account for 5% or more of our revenues from operations in 2017.
The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in federally insured financial institutions. The account balances at these institutions periodically exceed FDIC insurance coverage and, as a result, there is a concentration of credit risk related to amounts on deposit in excess of FDIC insurance coverage. The Company believes that the risk is not significant.
Farm Inventories
Costs of bringing crops to harvest are inventoried when incurred. Such costs are expensed when the crops are sold. Expenses are computed and recognized on an average cost per pound or per ton basis, as appropriate. Costs during the current year related to the next year’s crop are inventoried and carried in inventory until the matching crop is harvested and sold. Farm inventories held for sale are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated on the basis of cost, except for land acquired upon organization in 1936, which is stated on the basis carried by the Company’s predecessor. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various assets. Our property and equipment and their respective estimated useful lives are as follow:
($ in thousands)
 
Useful Life
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Vineyards and orchards
 
20
 
$
52,667

 
$
49,210

Machinery, furniture fixtures and other equipment
 
3 - 10
 
21,320

 
19,807

Buildings and improvements
 
10 - 27.5
 
8,850

 
8,828

Land and land improvements
 
15
 
7,822

 
7,456

Development in process
 
 
 
6,600

 
8,908

 
 
 
 
97,259

 
94,209

Less: accumulated depreciation
 
 
 
(51,927
)
 
(48,175
)
 
 
 
 
$
45,332

 
$
46,034


Long-Term Water Assets
Long-term purchased water contracts are in place with the Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District and the Dudley-Ridge Water Storage District. These contracts provide the Company with the right to receive water over the term of the contracts that expire in 2035. The Company also purchased a contract that allows and requires it to purchase 6,693 acre-feet of water each year from the Nickel Family LLC. The initial term of this contract runs through 2044. The purchase price of these contracts is being amortized on the straight-line basis over their contractual life. Water contracts with the Wheeler Ridge Maricopa Water Storage District and the Tejon-Castac Water District are also in place, but were entered into with each district at inception and not purchased later from third parties, and therefore do not have a related financial value on the books of the Company. As a result, there is no amortization expense related to these contracts.
Vineyards and Orchards
Costs of planting and developing vineyards and orchards are capitalized until the crops become commercially productive. Interest costs and depreciation of irrigation systems and trellis installations during the development stage are also capitalized. Revenues from crops earned during the development stage are netted against development costs. Depreciation commences when the crops become commercially productive.
At the time farm crops are harvested, contracted, and delivered to buyers and revenues can be estimated, revenues are recognized and any related inventoried costs are expensed, which traditionally occurs during the third and fourth quarters of each year. It is not unusual for portions of our almond or pistachio crop to be sold in the year following the harvest. Orchard (almond and pistachio) revenues are based upon the contract settlement price or estimated selling price, whereas vineyard revenues are typically recognized at the contracted selling price. Estimated prices for orchard crops are based upon the quoted estimate of what the final market price will be by marketers and handlers of the orchard crops. These market price estimates are updated through the crop payment cycle as new information is received as to the final settlement price for the crop sold. These estimates are adjusted to actual upon receipt of final payment for the crop. This method of recognizing revenues on the sale of orchard crops is a standard practice within the agribusiness community. Adjustments for differences between original estimates and actual revenues received are recorded during the period in which such amounts become known. The net effect of these adjustments increased farming revenue by $1,804,000 in 2017, $734,000 in 2016, and $3,531,000 in 2015. The adjustment for 2017 includes $352,000 for almonds and $1,452,000 for pistachios. The adjustment for 2016 includes $653,000 for almonds and $81,000 for pistachios. The adjustment for 2015 includes $1,260,000 for almonds and $2,271,000 for pistachios.
The Almond Board of California has the authority to require producers of almonds to withhold a portion of their annual production from the marketplace through a marketing order approved by the Secretary of Agriculture. At December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, no such withholding was mandated.
Common Stock Options and Grants
The Company accounts for stock incentive plans using the fair value method of accounting. The estimated fair value of the restricted stock grants and restricted stock units are expensed over the expected vesting period. For performance based grants the Company makes estimates of the number of shares that will actually be granted based upon estimated ranges of success in meeting defined performance measures. Periodically, the Company updates its estimates and reflects any changes to the estimate in the consolidated statements of operations.
Long-Lived Assets
On a quarterly basis, we review current activities and changes in the business conditions of all of our operating properties prior to and subsequent to the end of each quarter to determine the existence of any triggering events requiring an impairment analysis. If triggering events are identified, we review an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows for the properties, including, if necessary, a probability-weighted approach if multiple outcomes are under consideration.

Long-lived assets to be held and used, including our rental properties, CIP, real estate held for development, are individually evaluated for impairment when conditions exist that may indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset to be held and used is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Impairment indicators or triggering events for long-lived assets to be held and used, including our rental properties, CIP, real estate held for development, and intangibles, are assessed by project and include significant fluctuations in estimated net operating income, occupancy changes, significant near-term lease expirations, current and historical operating and/or cash flow losses, rental rates, and other market factors. We assess the expected undiscounted cash flows based upon numerous factors, including, but not limited to, available market information, current and historical operating results, known trends, current market/economic conditions that may affect the property, and our assumptions about the use of the asset, including, if necessary, a probability-weighted approach if multiple outcomes are under consideration. Upon determination that an impairment has occurred, a write-down is recognized to reduce the carrying amount to its estimated fair value.
In addition, the Company accounts for long-lived assets to be disposed of at the lower of their carrying amounts or fair value less selling and disposal costs. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, management of the Company believes that none of its long-lived assets are impaired.
Sales of Real Estate
The Company recognizes revenue on sale of land when the sale is consummated, the buyer’s initial and continuing investment is adequate to demonstrate commitment to pay, any receivable obtained is not subject to future subordination, the usual risks and rewards of ownership are transferred, and the Company has no substantial continuing involvement with the property. For example, a land sale is considered consummated with a sufficient down payment of at least 20% to 25% of the sales price depending upon the type and timeframe for development of the property sold, and that any receivable from the sale cannot be subject to future subordination. If the Company has a commitment to the buyer and that commitment is a specific dollar amount, this commitment is accrued and the gain on sale that the Company recognizes is reduced. If the Company has a construction commitment to the buyer, management makes an estimate of this commitment, defers a portion of the profit from the sale, and recognizes the deferred profit as or when the commitment is fulfilled.
Sales of Easements
From time to time the Company sells easements over its land and the easements are either in the form of rights of access granted for such things as utility corridors or are in the form of conservation easements that generally require the Company to divest its rights to commercially develop a portion of its land, but do not result in a change in ownership of the land or restrict the Company from continuing other revenue generating activities on the land.
Since the conservation easements generally do not impose any significant continuing performance obligations on the Company, revenue from conservation easement sales have been recognized when the following four criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured, which generally occurs in the period the sale has closed and consideration has been received.
Allocation of Costs Related to Land Sales and Leases
When the Company sells land within one of its real estate developments and has not completed all infrastructure development related to the total project, the Company estimates, at the time of sale, future costs of the development to determine the appropriate costs of sales for the sold land and the timing of recognition of the sale. In the calculation of cost of sales or allocations to leased land, the Company uses estimates and forecasts to determine total costs at completion of the development project. These estimates of final development costs can change as conditions in the market change and costs of construction change.
Royalty Income
Royalty revenues are contractually defined as to the percentage of royalty and are tied to production and market prices. The Company’s royalty arrangements generally require payment on a monthly basis with the payment based on the previous month’s activity. The Company accrues monthly royalty revenues based upon estimates and adjusts to actual as the Company receives payments.
Rental Income
Rental income from leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective lease terms. We classify amounts currently recognized as income, and amounts expected to be received in later years, as an asset in deferred rent in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amounts received currently, but recognized as income in future years, are classified in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and tenant security deposits in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We commence recognition of rental income at the date the property is ready for its intended use and the client tenant takes possession of or controls the physical use of the property.
During the term of each lease, we monitor the credit quality of our tenants by (i) reviewing the credit rating of tenants that are rated by a nationally recognized credit rating agency, (ii) reviewing financial statements of the client tenants that are publicly available or that are required to be delivered to us pursuant to the applicable lease, (iii) monitoring news reports regarding our tenants and their respective businesses, and (iv) monitoring the timeliness of lease payments. We have employees who are assigned the responsibility for assessing and monitoring the credit quality of our tenants and any material changes in credit quality.
Environmental Expenditures
Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Generally, the timing of these accruals coincides with the completion of a feasibility study or the Company’s commitment to a formal plan of action. No liabilities for environmental costs have been recorded at December 31, 2017 and 2016.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the financial statement dates and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Due to uncertainties inherent in the estimation process, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from these estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Financial Instruments
In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2016-01, "Financial Statements - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," which requires equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. There will no longer be an available-for-sale classification for equity securities with readily determinable fair values.

The ASU became effective for us on January 1, 2018. The ASU requires the use of the modified retrospective transition method, under which cumulative unrealized gains and losses related to equity investments with readily determinable fair values will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings on January 1, 2018 upon adoption of this ASU. The guidance related to equity investments without readily determinable fair values will be applied prospectively to all investments that exist as of the date of adoption. We do not expect the adoption of this new ASU to have a material impact on our net income due to the Company's investment portfolio predominately being comprised of fixed income investments and not equity investments.

Lease Accounting
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases." From the lessee's perspective, the new standard establishes a right-of-use, or ROU, model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement for a lessee. From the lessor's perspective, the new standard requires a lessor to classify leases as either sales-type, finance or operating. A lease will be treated as a sale if it transfers all of the risks and rewards, as well as control of the underlying asset, to the lessee. If risks and rewards are conveyed without the transfer of control, the lease is treated as a financing lease. If the lessor doesn’t convey risks and rewards or control, an operating lease results.
The ASU is effective for us no later than January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The ASU requires us to identify lease and non-lease components of a lease agreement. This ASU will govern the recognition of revenue for lease components. Revenue related to non-lease components under our lease agreements will be subject to the new revenue recognition standard effective upon adoption of the new lease accounting standard. We expect to adopt the new lease accounting standard on January 1, 2019. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue with Contracts from Customers (Topic 606).” ASU 2014-09 supersedes the current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance introduces a five-step model to achieve its core principal of the entity recognizing revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The five-step model requires that we (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, including variable consideration to the extent that it is probable that a significant future reversal will not occur, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the respective performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy the performance obligation.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net).” ASU 2016-08 provides specific guidance to determine whether an entity is providing a specified good or service itself or is arranging for the good or service to be provided by another party.
 
The revenue recognition ASU became effective for us on January 1, 2018. Entities can use either a full retrospective or modified retrospective method to adopt this ASU. Under the full retrospective method, all periods presented will be restated upon adoption to conform to the new standard and a cumulative adjustment for effects on periods prior to 2016 will be recorded to retained earnings as of January 1, 2016. Under the modified retrospective approach, prior periods are not restated to conform to the new standard. Instead, a cumulative adjustment for effects of applying the new standard to periods prior to 2018 is recorded to retained earnings as of January 1, 2018. Additionally, incremental footnote disclosures are required to present the 2018 revenues under the prior standard. Under the modified retrospective method, an entity may also elect to apply the standard to either (i) all contracts as of January 1, 2018, or (ii) only to contracts that are not completed as of January 1, 2018. We have elected to adopt the revenue recognition ASU using the full retrospective method.

Based on our evaluation of all contracts within scope, under existing accounting standards, and under the new revenue recognition ASU, we expect no significant differences in the amounts recognized or the pattern of recognition. Management does, however, expects the adoption of Topic 606 to impact the accounting for land sales in situations where the Company has continued involvement or performance obligations that are essential to the land sale. Current guidance requires the Company to recognize revenue from land sales with continued involvement using a percentage completion method based on total costs of the performance obligations. Upon the adoption of Topic 606, any future land sales with multiple performance obligations, the standard generally requires the Company to allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in proportion to their standalone selling prices (i.e., on a relative standalone selling price basis) not total costs.

During 2016, the Company sold a land parcel to a third party, under the terms of the purchase and sale agreement, the Company was obligated to complete specific infrastructure and landscaping adjacent to the land parcel, that were deemed essential to the third party. When applying the guidance under Topic 606, the purchase price allocated to the multiple performance obligations yielded a different result than when applying the current guidance.

2016 Impact:

Under the current guidance the Company recognized $710,000 and $615,000 of revenues and gain from sale of land, respectively. Under the Topic 606, the Company expects to recognize $1,112,000 and $1,017,000 of revenues and gain from sale of land, respectively

2017 Impact:

Under the current guidance the Company recognized $475,000 and $411,000 of revenues and gain from sale of land, respectively. Under the Topic 606, the Company will recognize $73,000 and $9,000 of revenues and gain from sale of land, respectively.

No other differences were noted during our evaluation.

Employee Share-Based Payments

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, "Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718) — Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2016. Stock-based compensation excess tax benefits or deficiencies are now reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of the provision for income taxes, whereas previously they were recognized within additional paid-in-capital. On the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, excess tax benefits or deficiencies associated with stock compensation should be classified as an operating activity. We applied both amendments prospectively within the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows recognizing excess tax deficiencies of $107,000. This change has no impact on total shareholders’ equity. The amendment also clarifies that cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. This approach is consistent with our existing policy and as such no changes were made to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Lastly, the ASU also allows for forfeitures to be recorded when they occur rather than estimated over the vesting period. However, we will continue to estimate forfeitures over the vesting period.

Allowance for Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued an ASU No. 2016-13 "Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326)" changing the impairment model for most financial instruments by requiring companies to recognize an allowance for expected losses, rather than incurred losses as required currently by the other-than-temporary impairment model. The ASU will apply to most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments in leases, and off-balance-sheet credit exposures (e.g., loan commitments). The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and will be applied as a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Joint Venture Distributions

In August 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that provides guidance on the classification in the statement of cash flows of cash distributions received from equity method investments, including unconsolidated joint ventures. The ASU provides two approaches to determine the classification of cash distributions received from equity method investees: (i) the “cumulative earnings” approach, under which distributions up to the amount of cumulative equity in earnings recognized will be classified as cash inflows from operating activities, and those in excess of that amount will be classified as cash inflows from investing activities, and (ii) the “nature of the distribution” approach, under which distributions will be classified based on the nature of the underlying activity that generated cash distributions. An entity may elect either the “cumulative earnings” or the “nature of the distribution” approach. An entity that elects the “nature of the distribution” approach but lacks the information to apply it will apply the “cumulative earnings” approach as an accounting change on a retrospective basis. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted, and will be applied retrospectively (exceptions apply). We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018, using the “cumulative earnings” approach. We previously presented distributions from our equity method investees utilizing the “cumulative earnings” approach; therefore, the adoption of this ASU will have no impact on our consolidated financial statements. During the year ended December 31, 2017, distributions received from our equity method investees aggregated $10,314,000, consisting of approximately $7,200,000 classified as a return on investment (cash flows from operating activities) and approximately $3,114,000 classified as a return of investment (cash flows from investing activities).
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we received distributions of $4,500,000 and $1,600,000 classified as operating and investing activities, respectively, on our consolidated statements of cash flows. Classifications were determined using the cumulative earnings approach.