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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) “FASB Accounting Standard Codification™” (the “Codification”) which is the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities in the preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States.

 

All figures are in U.S. dollars unless indicated otherwise.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Vivakor, Inc., its wholly owned and majority-owned active subsidiaries, or joint ventures (collectively, the “Company”). Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities are eliminated. Inactive entities have no value, assets or liabilities. Vivakor has the following wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries: Vivaventures Management Company, Inc., Vivaventures Energy Group, Inc. (99%), Vivaventures Oil Sands, Inc., Vivasphere, Inc.. Vivakor Middle East, LLC (49%, consolidated). The Company withdrew from VivaVentures Precious Metal, LLC (39%, equity method investment) in July 2020. Vivakor manages and consolidates RPC Design and Manufacturing LLC, which includes a noncontrolling interest investment from Vivaopportunity Fund, LLC, which is also managed by Vivaventures Management Company, Inc. Vivakor has common officers with and consolidates Viva Wealth Fund I, LLC.

 

The Company follows ASC 810-10-15 guidance with respect to accounting for Variable Interest Entities (“VIE”). A VIE is an entity that does not have sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, or whose equity investors lack any of the characteristics of a controlling financial interest. A variable interest is an investment or other interest that will absorb portions of a VIE’s expected losses or receive portions of the entity’s expected residual returns. Variable interests are contractual, ownership, or other pecuniary interests that change with changes in the fair value of the entity’s net assets. A party is the primary beneficiary of a VIE and must consolidate it when that party has a variable interest, or combination of variable interests, that provides the party with a controlling financial interest. A party is deemed to have a controlling financial interest if it meets both of the power and losses/benefits criteria. The power criterion is the ability to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance. The losses/benefits criterion is the obligation to absorb losses from, or right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The VIE model requires an ongoing reconsideration of whether a reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of a VIE due to changes in facts and circumstances. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 the following entities are considered to be a VIE and are consolidated in our consolidated financial statements: Viva Wealth Fund I, LLC (organized in 2020) and RPC Design and Manufacturing, LLC. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 the following entities were considered to be a VIE, but were not consolidated in our consolidated financial statements due to a lack of the power criterion or the losses/benefits criterion: Vivaventures UTS I, LLC, Vivaventures Royalty II, LLC, Vivaopportunity Fund, LLC, and International Metals Exchange, LLC. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 the unaudited financial information for the unconsolidated VIEs is as follows: Vivaventures UTSI, LLC held assets of $3,753,296 and $3,113,292 (where the primary asset represents a receivable from the Company), and liabilities of $12,608 and $41,894. Vivaventures Royalty II, LLC held assets of $2,648,810 and $2,117,066 (where the primary asset represents a receivable from the Company), and liabilities of $300. Vivaopportunity Fund LLC held assets of $2,119,961 (where the primary asset represents a noncontrolling interest in units of a consolidated entity of the Company) and no liabilities. International Metals Exchange, LLC held assets of $30,461 and $82,711 and liabilities of $1,900.

 

RPC Design and Manufacturing, LLC: The Company established RPC Design and Manufacturing, LLC (“RDM”) in December 2018 with a business purpose of manufacturing custom machinery and selling or leasing the manufactured equipment in long term contracts with financing or leasing activities to the Company. We own 100% of the voting rights in RDM. We, as the sole general partner of RDM, have the full, exclusive and complete right, power and discretion to operate, manage and control the affairs of RDM and take certain actions necessary to maintain RDM in good standing without the consent of the limited partners. RDM has entered into a license agreement with the Company indicating that while RDM builds custom machinery incorporating the Company’s hydrocarbon extraction technology, RDM will pay the Company a license fee of $500,000 per Remediation Processing Center manufactured. RDM has been retained by VWFI to assist in being the plant manager and will manage and direct the manufacturing of the RPCs. RDM’s license fee is waived for RPC manufacturing for VWFI. Creditors of RDM have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, investors in RDM have a noncontrolling interest of $629,694 and $1,343,018, respectively As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the cash and cash equivalents of this VIE are not restricted and can be used to settle the obligations of the reporting entity. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020 this VIE has an outstanding note payable to the reporting entity in the amount of $354,566 and $335,208, which is eliminated upon consolidation. We have the primary risk (expense) exposure in financing and operating the assets and are responsible for 100% of the operation, maintenance and any unfunded capital expenditures, which ultimately could be 100% of a custom machine, and the decisions related to those expenditures including budgeting, financing and dispatch of power. Based on all these facts, it was determined that we are the primary beneficiary of RDM. Therefore, RDM has been consolidated by the Company. Any intercompany revenue and expense associated with RDM and its license agreement with the Company has been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Viva Wealth Fund I, LLC: The Company assisted in designing and organizing Viva Wealth Fund I, LLC (“VWFI”) in November 2020, as a special purpose entity, for the purpose of manufacturing, leasing and selling custom equipment solely to the Company. The Company commenced co-managing VWFI with Wealth Space, LLC, an unaffiliated entity, but as of the date of this report Wealth Space, LLC is the sole manager. The Company has been retained by the manager and continues to have common officers with VWFI, including our CEO and CFO, who will assist in the day-to-day operations. VWFI has also retained the Company to act as its sole plant manager, and we will manage and direct all of the manufacturing, leasing and selling of custom equipment in behalf of VWFI to the Company. In November 2020, VWFI commenced a $25,000,000 private placement offering to sell convertible promissory notes, which convert to VWFI LLC units, to accredited investors to raise funds to manufacture equipment that will expand the Company’s second RPC. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the cash and cash equivalents of this VIE are restricted solely for the use of proceeds of the VWFI offering (to manufacture RPCs) and cannot be used to settle the obligations of the reporting entity. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has cash attributed to variable interest entities of $199,952 and $89,500. As of December 31, 2021, VWFI has reached $6,250,000 in funding and has released the funding for construction of RPC Series A. VWFI has commenced fundraising for RPC Series B. In the event that VWFI does not raise at least $6,250,000 for these RPC Series by the offering termination date (which date has been extended until November 13, 2022), then the convertible notes and/or units would convert into Vivakor common stock where the minimum conversion price will be the greater of $13.50 or a 10% discount to market per share or in the event of a public offering, 200% of the per share price of the Company common stock sold in the underwritten offering, which was closed on February 14, 2022 at $5.00 per share. As of March 21, 2022, VWFI has raised approximately $2,740,000 for RPC Series B. VWFI unit holders may also sell their units to the Company for their principal investment amount on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th anniversary of the offering termination date. The Company also has the option to purchase any LLC units where the members did not exercise their conversion option under the same terms and pricing for cash or common stock. VWFI has entered into a license agreement with the Company indicating that VWFI will pay the Company a license fee of $1,000,000 per series of equipment manufactured with the Company’s proprietary technology. All of the operations of VWFI relate to private placement offering to fund and manufacture proprietary equipment for the Company, as intended in VWFI’s design and organization by the Company, so that the Company controls VWFI in its business purpose, use of proceeds, and selling and leasing of its equipment solely to the Company. Creditors of VWFI have no recourse to the general credit of the Company. We have the primary risk (expense) exposure in financing and operating the assets and are responsible for 100% of the operation, and any unfunded capital expenditures, and the expense to the unit holders in conversion to common stock if series of equipment cannot be fully funded, which ultimately could be 100% of any custom machine. We are responsible for the decisions related to the expenditures of VWFI proceeds including budgeting, financing and dispatch of power surrounding the series of equipment. Based on all these facts, it was determined that we are the primary beneficiary of VWFI. Therefore, VWFI has been consolidated by the Company.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company does not have any cash equivalents. The Company places its cash with high credit quality financial institutions. The Company’s accounts at these institutions are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had bank balances exceeding the FDIC insurance limit. To reduce its risk associated with the failure of such financial institutions, the Company annually evaluates the rating of the financial institutions in which it holds deposits. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has cash attributed to variable interest entities of $199,952 and $89,500. The Company has $2,666 in Qatar National Bank, located in Doha Qatar.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount less an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts, if deemed necessary by management, and based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a monthly basis. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts, if any, by identifying troubled accounts and by using historical experience applied to an aging of accounts. An allowance for doubtful accounts was considered necessary by management as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 in the amount of $33,000, respectively.

  

Investments

 

Consolidated net income includes the Company’s proportionate net income or loss of equity investments. The carrying value of the Company’s equity method investments is increased and decreased by the Company’s proportionate share of the net income or loss of the investee. The carrying value of our equity method investment is also decreased by dividends the Company receives from the investee. The Company did not have any equity method investments as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2020 the equity method investments consisted of the following:

 

In 2019 the Company had an investment of $800,000 or 800,000,000 shares of common stock, or a diluted 23% equity holding in Scepter Holdings, Inc. (ticker: BRZL, OTC Markets) In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company was diluted to a 19% equity holding in Scepter Holdings, Inc., and was no longer deemed to have significant influence and ceased to be an equity investment, and as the stock is traded on an active market, the Company has classified the investment as trading securities for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 with the change in unrealized gains and losses on the investment included in the statement of operations (see Note 5). For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company was attributed a loss on this equity investment in the amount of $37,665. There were no distributions to the Company in 2021 or 2020 from Scepter Holdings, Inc. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer has an immediate family member who sits on the board of directors of Scepter Holdings, Inc. The Company’s 826,376,882 shares of common stock of Scepter Holdings, Inc. have a market value of approximately $3,553,241 as of April 5, 2022 based on the quoted market price.

 

Investments in marketable securities consist of equity securities recorded at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We analyze our marketable securities in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification 321 (“ASC 321”). Valuations for marketable securities are based on quoted prices for identical assets in active markets.

 

As of December 31, 2019, the Company held a 39% interest in Vivaventures Precious Metals, LLC for which the fair value of this investment was none. In July 2020, the Company withdrew from this LLC.

 

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company owns 1,000 Class A LLC Units in each of the following entities, which are not consolidated: Vivaopportunity Fund LLC, Vivaventures UTSI, LLC, Vivaventures Royalty II, LLC, and International Metals Exchange, LLC. In aggregate these units amount to $4,000 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. These Class A Units give the Company’s management control of the entities but lack the necessary economics criterion, where the Company lacks the obligation to absorb losses of these entities, as well as the right to receive benefits from the LLCs.

 

Convertible Instruments

 

The Company reviews the terms of convertible debt and preferred stock for indications requiring bifurcation, and separate accounting for the embedded conversion feature. Generally, embedded conversion features where the ability to physical or net-share settle the conversion option is not within the control of the Company or the number of shares is variable are bifurcated and accounted for as derivative financial instruments. (See Derivative Financial Instruments below). Bifurcation of the embedded derivative instrument requires the allocation of the proceeds first to the fair value of the embedded derivative instrument with the residual allocated to the host instrument. The resulting discount to the debt instrument or the redemption value of convertible preferred securities is accreted through periodic charges to interest expense over the term of the agreements or to dividends over the period to the earliest conversion date using the effective interest rate method, respectively.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company does not use derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to cash-flow or market risks. However, certain other financial instruments, such as warrants to purchase the Company’s common stock and the embedded conversion features of debt and preferred instruments that are not considered indexed to the Company’s common stock are classified as liabilities when either (a) the holder possesses rights to net-cash settlement, (b) physical or net share settlement is not within the control of the Company, or (c) based on its anti-dilutive provisions. In such instances, net-cash settlement is assumed for financial accounting and reporting. Such financial instruments are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently adjusted to fair value at the close of each reporting period. Fair value for embedded conversion features and option-based derivative financial instruments is determined using the Monte Carlo Simulation or the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model, respectively.

  

Other convertible instruments that are not derivative financial instruments are accounted for by recording the intrinsic value of the embedded conversion feature as a discount from the initial value of the instrument and accreting it back to face value over the period to the earliest conversion date using the effective interest rate method.

 

Leases

 

The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification 842, Leases ("ASC 842"). We determine if an arrangement contains a lease at inception based on whether or not the Company has the right to control the asset during the contract period and other facts and circumstances.

 

We are the lessee in a lease contract when we obtain the right to control the asset. Operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease, both of which are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. Leases with a lease term of 12 months or less at inception are not recorded on our consolidated balance sheet and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term in our consolidated statement of operations. We determine the lease term by assuming the exercise of renewal options that are reasonably certain. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit interest rate, we use our local incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we recorded right-of-use assets of $663,291 and $881,804 and lease obligations of $721,878 and $895,395.

 

Long Lived Assets

 

The Company reviews the carrying values of its long-lived assets for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the expected future cash flow from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized and measured using the fair value of the related asset. No impairment charges were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, as the Company was still in the early phases of our business plan and operating losses were expected in our early phases. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be a global pandemic. In addition to the devastating effects on human life, the pandemic is having a negative ripple effect on the global economy, leading to disruptions and volatility in the global financial markets. Most U.S. states and many countries have issued policies intended to stop or slow the further spread of the disease. Our Kuwait operations were suspended to comply with the social distancing measures implemented in Kuwait. Our Utah operations were temporarily suspended from March through May 2020, but have since resumed in full. There can be no assurance, however, that market conditions will not change or demand for the Company’s services will continue, which could result in impairment of long-lived assets in the future.

 

Property and equipment, net

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost or fair value when acquired. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method and is charged to the statement of operations over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the term of the related lease. Impairment losses are recognized for long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangibles, used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are not sufficient to recover the assets' carrying amount. Impairment losses are measured by comparing the fair value of the assets to their carrying amount.

 

Interest on long-term debt for the development or manufacturing of Company assets is capitalized to the asset until the asset enters production or use, and thereafter all interest is charged to expense as incurred. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the term of the related lease.

 

The carrying amount and accumulated depreciation of assets sold or retired are removed from the accounts in the year of disposal and any resulting gain or loss is included in results of operations. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows: 

 
Computers, software, and office equipment 1-5 years
Machinery and equipment 3-5 years
Vehicles 5 years
Furniture and fixtures 510 years
Precious metal extraction machinery (heavy extraction equipment) 10 years
Remediation Processing Centers (heavy extraction and remediation equipment) (“RPC”) 20 years
Leasehold improvements Lesser of the lease term or estimated useful life

  

Equipment that is currently being manufactured is considered construction in process and is not depreciated until the equipment is placed into service.

  

Intangible Assets:

 

We account for intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350 “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”). Intangible asset amounts represent the acquisition date fair values of identifiable intangible assets acquired. The fair values of the intangible assets were determined by using the income approach, discounting projected future cash flows based on management’s expectations of the current and future operating environment. The rates used to discount projected future cash flows reflected a weighted average cost of capital based on our industry, capital structure and risk premiums including those reflected in the current market capitalization. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives, which have historically ranged from 10 to 20 years. The carrying amounts of our definite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the entity may be unable to recover the asset’s carrying amount.

 

We assess our intangible assets in accordance with ASC 360 “Property, Plant, and Equipment” (“ASC 360”). Impairment testing is required when events occur that indicate an asset group may not be recoverable (“triggering events”). As detailed in ASC 360-10-35-21, the following are examples of such events or changes in circumstances (sometimes referred to as impairment indicators or triggers): (a) A significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset (asset group) (b) A significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset (asset group) is being used or in its physical condition. (c) A significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset (asset group), including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator (d) An accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset (asset group) (e) A current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset (asset group) (f) A current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset (asset group) will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. The term more likely than not refers to a level of likelihood that is more than 50 percent. We have evaluated our intangible assets and found that certain losses and a delay in our business plan may have constituted a triggering event for our intangible assets. We performed an analysis and assessed that there to be no impairment for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

  

Share-Based Compensation

 

Share-based compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation’ (“ASC 718”) which requires recognition in the financial statements of the cost of employee, consultant, or director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee, consultant, or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). ASC 718 also requires measurement of the cost of employee, consultant, or director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award.

 

Income tax

 

Deferred income taxes are provided on the asset and liability method whereby deferred income tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred income tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

 

Our annual effective tax rate is based on our income and the tax laws in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Judgment is required in determining our annual tax expense and in evaluating our tax positions. We establish reserves to remove some or all of the tax benefit of any of our tax positions at the time we determine that the position becomes uncertain based upon one of the following conditions: (1) the tax position is not "more likely than not" to be sustained; (2) the tax position is "more likely than not" to be sustained, but for a lesser amount; or (3) the tax position is "more likely than not" to be sustained, but not in the financial period in which the tax position was originally taken. For purposes of evaluating whether or not a tax position is uncertain, (1) we presume the tax position will be examined by the relevant taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information; (2) the technical merits of a tax position are derived from authorities such as legislation and statutes, legislative intent, regulations, rulings and case law and their applicability to the facts and circumstances of the tax position; and (3) each tax position is evaluated without considerations of the possibility of offset or aggregation with other tax positions taken. We adjust these reserves, including any impact on the related interest and penalties, in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the progress of a tax audit. See Note 20 for further information on income tax.

   

Revenue Recognition

 

We follow Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, approximately 99% and 96% of our sales consist of the sale of precious metals with a commitment to deliver precious metals to the customer, and revenue is recognized on the settlement date, which is defined as the date on which: (1) the quantity, price, and specific items being purchased have been established, (2) metals have been shipped to the customer, and (3) payment has been received or is covered by the customer’s established credit limit with the Company.

 

The revenue standard contains a five-step approach that entities will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized, including (i) identifying the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identifying the separate performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determining the transaction price, (iv) allocating the transaction price to separate performance obligations, and (v) recognizing revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied. The new standard requires a number of disclosures intended to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue, and the related cash flows. The disclosures include qualitative and quantitative information about contracts with customers, significant judgments made in applying the revenue guidance, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract.

 

In order to ensure the revenue recognition in the proper period, we review material sales contracts for proper cut-off based upon the business practices and legal requirements of each country.

 

Our performance obligation generally consists of the promise to sell products or complete services to our customers. Control of the products is transferred upon shipment to our customers' locations, as determined by the specific terms of the contract. Upon transfer of control to the customer, which completes our performance obligation, revenue is recognized. Services are completed upon the terms of each contract, specifically in regard to remediation, when the tonnage of contaminated soil is completed and tested our performance obligation is completed and revenue is recognized. After completion of our performance obligation, we have an unconditional right to consideration as outlined in the contract. Historically, we have not accepted returns so there are no sales allowances. Due to the nature of the product we do accept returns. Our receivables will generally be collected in less than nine months, in accordance with the underlying payment terms.

 

Advertising Expense

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. The Company did not incur advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or the JOBS Act, we meet the definition of an “emerging growth company.” We have irrevocably elected to opt-out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards pursuant to Section 107(b) of the JOBS Act. As a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non- emerging growth companies.

 

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, or ASU 2016-13. ASU 2016-13 significantly changed how entities measured credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. ASU 2016-13 replaced the incurred loss model under previous guidance with a current expected credit loss, or CECL. ASU 2016-13 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company is anticipated to enter into scaled revenue producing activities in 2022 which will generate accounts receivable which may require an evaluation of potential credit losses under the CECL standard.

 

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating taxes during the quarters and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and changes in tax laws or rates, as well as clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. ASU 2019-12 became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2021.

 

In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2020-06 Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity, which improves Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity and is expected to improve financial reporting associated with accounting for convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. The ASU simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current U.S. GAAP. Consequently, more convertible debt instruments will be reported as a single liability instrument and more convertible preferred stock as a single equity instrument with no separate accounting for embedded conversion features. The ASU removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, which will permit more equity contracts to qualify for it. The ASU also simplifies the diluted earnings per share (EPS) calculation in certain areas.

  

In May 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2021-04 Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt— Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging— Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), provides a “principles-based framework to determine whether an issuer should recognize the modification or exchange as an adjustment to equity or an expense.”

  

Net Income/Loss Per Share

 

Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by subtracting any preferred interest distributions from net income (loss), all divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury stock method if their effect is dilutive. Potential dilutive instruments as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 include the following: convertible notes payable convertible into approximately 192,834 and 35,765 shares of common stock, convertible Series A preferred stock convertible into none and 666,667 shares of common stock (in the event of a public offering of the Company’s common stock this will convert to 833,333 shares), convertible Series B preferred stock convertible into approximately none and 216,916 shares of common stock, convertible Series B-1 preferred stock convertible into approximately none and 467,728 shares of common stock, convertible Series C-1 preferred stock convertible into approximately none and 255,290 shares of common stock, stock options granted to employees of 183,333 and 16,667 shares of common stock. Stock options granted to Board members or consultants of 466,667 shares of common stock were granted as of December 31, 2021.

 

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, judgments, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We believe our critical accounting estimates relate to the following: Recoverability of current and noncurrent Assets, revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, income taxes, effective interest rates related to long-term debt, marketable securities, cost basis and equity method investments, lease assets and liabilities, equity method investments, valuation of stock used to acquire assets, and derivatives.

 

While our estimates and assumptions are based on our knowledge of current events and actions we may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates and assumptions.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. ASC 820 establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to existing generally accepted accounting principles that requires the use of fair value measurements, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements. The adoption of ASC 820 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial position or operating results but did expand certain disclosures.

 

ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Additionally, ASC 820 requires the use of valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized below:

 

Level 1: Applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2: Applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.

   

Level 3: Applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) accounting standard for such instruments. Under this standard, financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for marketable securities are classified as Level 1 assets due to observable quoted prices for identical assets in active markets. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their estimated fair market values based on the short-term maturity of these instruments. The recorded values of notes payable approximate their current fair values because of their nature, rates, and respective maturity dates or durations.