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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Procedures and Newly Adopted Accounting Standards | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Procedures and Newly Adopted Accounting Standards | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Procedures and Newly Adopted Accounting Standards Federal Income Taxes. We have elected to be taxed as a REIT, as defined above, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. We believe we have qualified and continue to qualify as a REIT. Under the REIT operating structure, we are permitted to deduct dividends paid to our stockholders in determining our taxable income. Assuming our dividends equal or exceed our taxable net income, we generally will not be required to pay federal corporate income taxes on such income. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal income taxes in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, except for federal income taxes of our taxable REIT subsidiaries. The income taxes recorded on our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income represent amounts paid by Realty Income and its subsidiaries for city and state income and franchise taxes and for U.K. income taxes. Earnings and profits that determine the taxability of distributions to stockholders differ from net income reported for financial reporting purposes due to differences in the estimated useful lives and methods used to compute depreciation and the carrying value (basis) of the investments in properties for tax purposes, among other things. We regularly analyze our various federal and state filing positions and only recognize the income tax effect in our financial statements when certain criteria regarding uncertain income tax positions have been met. We believe that our income tax positions would more likely than not be sustained upon examination by all relevant taxing authorities. Therefore, no provisions for uncertain income tax positions have been recorded in our financial statements. Net Income per Common Share. Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders, plus income attributable to dilutive shares and convertible common units, for the period by the weighted average number of common shares that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares for all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the reporting period. The following is a reconciliation of the denominator of the basic net income per common share computation to the denominator of the diluted net income per common share computation.
|  | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Weighted average shares used for the basic net income per share computation |  | 315,837,012 |  |  | 289,427,430 |  |  | 273,465,680 |
Incremental shares from share-based compensation |  | 322,265 |  |  | 179,532 |  |  | 154,050 |
Weighted average partnership common units convertible to common shares that were dilutive |  | — |  |  | 317,022 |  |  | 317,022 |
Weighted average shares used for diluted net income per share computation |  | 316,159,277 |  |  | 289,923,984 |  |  | 273,936,752 |
Unvested shares from share-based compensation that were anti-dilutive |  | 8,113 |  |  | 13,148 |  |  | 32,205 |
Weighted average partnership common units convertible to common shares that were anti-dilutive |  | 442,073 |  |  | 297,576 |  |  | 88,182 |
Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable. The majority of our leases are accounted for as operating leases. Under this method, leases that have fixed and determinable rent increases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Any rental revenue contingent upon a tenant’s sales is recognized only after the tenant exceeds their sales breakpoint. Rental increases based upon changes in the consumer price indexes are recognized only after the changes in the indexes have occurred and are then applied according to the lease agreements. Contractually obligated rental revenue from tenants for recoverable real estate taxes and operating expenses are included in tenant reimbursements in the period when such costs are incurred. Taxes and operating expenses paid directly by the tenant are recorded on a net basis. On January 1, 2019, we adopted ASU 2016-02 (Topic 842, Leases), which amended Topic 840, Leases. As our leases are accounted for as operating leases under both Topic 840 and 842, our lease revenue recognition policy was largely unaffected by this update. For further information, see Newly Adopted Accounting Standards section below. Other revenue, which includes property-related revenue not included in rental revenue and interest income recognized on financing receivables for certain leases with above-market terms. Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Realty Income and other subsidiaries for which we make operating and financial decisions (i.e. control), after elimination of all material intercompany balances and transactions. We consolidate entities that we control and record a noncontrolling interest for the portion that we do not own. Noncontrolling interest that was created or assumed as part of a business combination or asset acquisition was recognized at fair value as of the date of the transaction (see note 11). We have no unconsolidated investments. Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash. We consider all short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash and have an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Our cash equivalents are primarily investments in United States government money market funds. Restricted cash includes cash proceeds from the sale of assets held by qualified intermediaries in anticipation of the acquisition of replacement properties in tax-free exchanges under Section 1031 of the Code, impounds related to mortgages payable and cash that is not immediately available to Realty Income (i.e. escrow deposits for future acquisitions). Cash accounts maintained on behalf of Realty Income in demand deposits at commercial banks and money market funds may exceed federally insured levels or may be held in accounts without any federal insurance or any other insurance or guarantee. However, Realty Income has not experienced any losses in such accounts. Gain on Sales of Properties. When real estate is sold, the related net book value of the applicable assets is removed and a gain from the sale is recognized in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. We record a gain from the sale of real estate provided that various criteria, relating to the terms of the sale and any subsequent involvement by us with the real estate, have been met. Allocation of the Purchase Price of Real Estate Acquisitions. A majority of our acquisitions qualify as asset acquisitions and the transaction costs associated with those acquisitions are capitalized. When acquiring a property for investment purposes, we typically allocate the cost of real estate acquired, inclusive of transaction costs, to: (1) land, (2) building and improvements, and (3) identified intangible assets and liabilities, based in each case on their relative estimated fair values. Intangible assets and liabilities consist of above-market or below-market lease value of in-place leases and the value of in-place leases, as applicable. In an acquisition of multiple properties, we must also allocate the purchase price among the properties. The allocation of the purchase price is based on our assessment of estimated fair value and is often based upon the expected future cash flows of the property and various characteristics of the markets where the property is located. In addition, any assumed mortgages are recorded at their estimated fair values. The estimated fair values of our mortgages payable have been calculated by discounting the future cash flows using applicable interest rates that have been adjusted for factors, such as industry type, tenant investment grade, maturity date, and comparable borrowings for similar assets. Our estimated fair value determinations are based on management’s judgment, utilizing various factors, including: market land and building values, market rental rates, discount rates and capitalization rates. Our methodology for measuring and allocating the fair value of real estate acquisitions includes both observable market data (categorized as level 2 on the three-level valuation hierarchy of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement), and unobservable inputs that reflect our own internal assumptions (categorized as level 3 under ASC Topic 820). Given the significance of the unobservable inputs we believe the allocations of fair value of real estate acquisitions should be categorized as level 3 under ASC Topic 820. For certain of our purchase price allocations we have used the assistance of an independent third party real estate valuation firm. The allocation of tangible assets (which includes land and buildings/improvements) of an acquired property with an in-place lease is based upon relative fair value. Land is typically valued utilizing the sales comparison (or market) approach. Buildings and improvements are typically valued under the replacement cost approach. In allocating the fair value to identified intangibles for above-market or below-market leases, an amount is recorded based on the present value of the difference between (i) the contractual amount to be paid pursuant to the in-place lease and (ii) our estimate of fair market lease rate for the corresponding in-place lease, measured over the remaining term of the lease. The value of in-place leases is determined by our estimated costs related to acquiring a tenant and the carrying costs that would be incurred over the vacancy period to locate a tenant if the property were vacant, considering market conditions and costs to execute similar leases at the time of acquisition. The values of the above-market and below-market leases are amortized over the term of the respective leases, including any bargain renewal options, as an adjustment to rental revenue on our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The value of in-place leases, exclusive of the value of above-market and below-market in-place leases, is amortized to depreciation and amortization expense over the remaining periods of the respective leases. If a lease is terminated prior to its stated expiration, all unamortized amounts relating to that lease are recorded to revenue or expense as appropriate. Depreciation and Amortization. Land, buildings and improvements are recorded and stated at cost. Major replacements and betterments, which improve or extend the life of the asset, are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives, while ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Buildings and improvements that are under redevelopment, or are being developed, are carried at cost and no depreciation is recorded on these assets. Additionally, amounts essential to the development of the property, such as pre-construction, development, construction, interest and other costs incurred during the period of development are capitalized. We cease capitalization when the property is available for occupancy upon substantial completion of tenant improvements, but in any event no later than one year from the completion of major construction activity. Properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
Buildings | 25 years or 35 years
Building improvements | 4 to 20 years
Tenant improvements and lease commissions | The shorter of the term of the related lease or useful life
Acquired in-place leases | Remaining terms of the respective leases
Provision for Impairment. We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. A provision is made for impairment if estimated future operating cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) plus estimated disposition proceeds (undiscounted) are less than the current book value of the property. Key factors that we utilize in this analysis include projected rental rates, estimated holding periods, capital expenditures and property sales capitalization rates. If a property is classified as held for sale, it is carried at the lower of carrying cost or estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell, and depreciation of the property ceases. If a property was previously reclassified as held for sale but the applicable criteria for this classification are no longer met, the property is reclassified to real estate held for investment. A property that is reclassified to held for investment is measured and recorded at the lower of (i) its carrying amount before the property was classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation expense that would have been recognized had the property been continuously classified as held for investment, or (ii) the fair value at the date of the subsequent decision not to sell. Twenty-three properties were classified as held for sale at December 31, 2019. We do not depreciate properties that are classified as held for sale. The following table summarizes provisions for impairment during the periods indicated below (dollars in millions):
| Year Ended December 31,
| 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Total provisions for impairment | $ | 40.2 |  |  | $ | 26.3 |  |  | $ | 14.8 |
Number of properties: |  |  |  |  |
Classified as held for sale | 9 |  |  | 1 |  |  | — |
Classified as held for investment | 5 |  |  | 3 |  |  | 2 |
Sold | 37 |  |  | 40 |  |  | 24 |
Equity Offering Costs. Underwriting commissions and offering costs have been reflected as a reduction of additional paid-in-capital on our consolidated balance sheets. Noncontrolling Interests. Noncontrolling interests are reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as a component of equity. In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, noncontrolling interests acquired prior to October 1, 2017 were recorded initially at fair value based on the price of the applicable units issued or contributions made, and subsequently adjusted each period for distributions, additional contributions and the allocation of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests. Noncontrolling interests issued or assumed subsequent to October 1, 2017, were recorded based on the proportional share of equity in the entity. Derivative and Hedging Activities. We record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether we have elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. We may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or we elect not to apply hedge accounting. As of December 31, 2019 we had three interest rate swaps in place, including one on each of our $250.0 million unsecured term loans and the third on an assumed mortgage loan. Our objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. In October 2018, we designated these three interest rate swaps as hedges and adopted hedge accounting treatment in accordance with Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. From the adoption date through the end of 2019, the effective portion of gains or losses on our interest rate swaps were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019, instead of through interest expense on our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. In May 2019, we entered into four cross-currency swaps to exchange £130 million Sterling for $166 million maturing in May 2034, in order to hedge the foreign currency risk associated with our Sterling-denominated intercompany loan receivable from our consolidated foreign subsidiaries. These cross-currency swaps were designated as cash flow hedges on their trade date. Gains and losses, representing hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness, are recognized in earnings over the life of the hedges on a systematic and rational basis, as documented at hedge inception in accordance with our accounting policy election. The earnings recognition of excluded components is presented in foreign currency and derivative gains, net on our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, which is the same caption item as the hedged transactions. Use of Estimates. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Reclassifications. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we reclassified Goodwill, which was previously presented in its own caption on the consolidated balance sheets, into Other Assets for all comparative periods. Newly Adopted Accounting Standards. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 (Topic 842, Leases), which replaced Topic 840, Leases. Under this amended topic, the accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under Topic 840, Leases. The large majority of our leases remain classified as operating leases, and we continue to recognize lease income on a generally straight-line basis over the lease term. Although primarily a lessor, we are also a lessee under several ground lease arrangements. We adopted Topic 842, Leases, effective as of January 1, 2019 using the effective date method, and elected the practical expedients available for implementation under the standard for all classes of underlying assets. As a result, we recognize lease obligations for ground leases designated as operating and financing leases with corresponding right of use assets and liabilities (see note 3). Additionally, above-market rents on certain of our leases under which we are a lessor are accounted for as financing receivables amortizing over the lease term, and below-market rents on certain of our leases under which we are a lessor are accounted for as prepaid rent (see note 3). Also, as a result of the adoption of this standard, tenant reimbursable revenue and property expenses are now presented on a gross basis as both tenant reimbursement revenue included in rental revenue, and as a reimbursable expense included in property expenses, respectively, on our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. Property taxes and insurance paid directly by the lessee to a third party will continue to be presented on a net basis. These presentation changes had no impact on our results of operations. As a result, there was no restatement of prior issued financial statements and, similarly, no cumulative effect adjustment to opening equity; however, we have elected to aggregate prior period tenant reimbursement revenue within rental revenue to be consistent with the current period presentation within the statements of income and comprehensive income. In connection with our acquisition of properties in the U.K. during the second quarter of 2019, we adopted accounting guidance applicable under Topic 830, Foreign Currency Matters. The functional currency of the U.K. subsidiaries holding the acquired properties is the Great British Pound (Sterling). Assets and liabilities from our foreign-owned subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date. Equity accounts are translated at historical rates, except for retained earnings, whereas the impact is calculated via the income statement translation process. Revenue and expense accounts are translated using the weighted average exchange rates during the period. The cumulative translation adjustments from our U.K. subsidiaries are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated statements of equity. We have intercompany debt denominated in pound sterling, which is the same currency as the functional currency of our U.K. subsidiaries. When this debt is remeasured against the functional currency of the Company, which is the U.S. dollar, a gain or loss can result. Such transaction gains or losses realized upon settlement of a foreign currency transaction, which may include intercompany transactions, are included in net income under the caption ‘Foreign currency and derivative gains, net'.

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