COPT Defense Properties Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

The COPT consolidated financial statements include the accounts of COPT, the Operating Partnership, their subsidiaries and other entities in which COPT has a majority voting interest and control. The COPLP consolidated financial statements include the accounts of COPLP, its subsidiaries and other entities in which COPLP has a majority voting interest and control. We also consolidate certain entities when control of such entities can be achieved through means other than voting rights (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”) if we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary of such entities. We eliminate all intercompany balances and transactions in consolidation.

We use the equity method of accounting when we own an interest in an entity and can exert significant influence over but cannot control the entity’s operations. We discontinue equity method accounting if our investment in an entity (and net advances) is reduced to zero unless we have guaranteed obligations of the entity or are otherwise committed to provide further financial support for the entity.

When we own an equity investment in an entity and cannot exert significant influence over its operations:


•	prior to January 1, 2018, we used the cost method of accounting; and


•	effective January 1, 2018, we measure the investment at fair value, with changes recognized through net income. For an investment without a readily determinable fair value, we measure the investment at cost, less any impairments, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

We make estimates and assumptions when preparing financial statements under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These estimates and assumptions affect various matters, including:


•	the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets at the dates of the financial statements;


•	the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements; and


•	the reported amounts of revenues and expenses in our consolidated statements of operations during the reporting periods.

Significant estimates are inherent in the presentation of our financial statements in a number of areas, including the evaluation of the collectability of accounts and deferred rent receivable, the allocation of property acquisition costs, the determination of estimated useful lives of assets, the determination of lease terms, the evaluation of impairment of long-lived assets, the amount of impairment losses recognized, the amount of revenue recognized relating to tenant improvements, the level of expense recognized in connection with share-based compensation and the determination of accounting method for investments. Actual results could differ from these and other estimates.

Acquisitions of Operating Properties

Upon completion of operating property acquisitions, we allocate the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets and liabilities associated with such acquisitions based on our estimates of their fair values. We determine these fair values by using market data and independent appraisals available to us and making numerous estimates and assumptions. We allocate operating property acquisitions to the following components:

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properties based on a valuation performed under the assumption that the property is vacant upon acquisition (the “if-vacant value”). The if-vacant value is allocated between land and buildings or, in the case of properties under development, construction in progress. We also allocate additional amounts to properties for in-place tenant improvements based on our estimate of improvements per square foot provided under market leases that would be attributable to the remaining non-cancelable terms of the respective leases;

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above- and below-market lease intangible assets or liabilities based on the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the risks associated with the leases acquired) of the difference between: (1) the contractual amounts to be received pursuant to the in-place leases; and (2) our estimate of fair market lease rates for the corresponding space, measured over a period equal to the remaining non-cancelable term of the lease. The capitalized above- and below-market lease values are amortized as adjustments to rental revenue over the remaining lease terms of the respective leases, and to renewal periods in the case of below-market leases;

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in-place lease value based on our estimates of: (1) the present value of additional income to be realized as a result of leases being in place on the acquired properties; and (2) costs to execute similar leases. Our estimate of additional income to be realized includes carrying costs, such as real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses, and revenues during the expected lease-up periods considering current market conditions. Our estimate of costs to execute similar leases includes leasing commissions, legal and other related costs;

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tenant relationship value based on our evaluation of the specific characteristics of each tenant’s lease and our overall relationship with that respective tenant. Characteristics we consider in determining these values include the nature and extent of our existing business relationships with the tenant, growth prospects for developing new business with the tenant, the tenant’s credit quality and expectations of lease renewals, among other factors; and


•	above- and below-market cost arrangements (such as real estate tax treaties or above- or below-market ground leases) based on the present value of the expected benefit from any such arrangements in place on the property at the time of acquisition.

Intangible Assets and Deferred Revenue on Real Estate Acquisitions

We amortize the intangible assets and deferred revenue on real estate acquisitions discussed above as follows:



Asset Type		Amortization Period
Above- and below-market leases		Related lease terms
In-place lease value		Related lease terms
Tenant relationship value		Estimated period of time that tenant will lease space in property
Above- and below-market cost arrangements		Term of arrangements

We recognize the amortization of acquired above-market and below-market leases as adjustments to rental revenue. We recognize the amortization of above- and below-market cost arrangements as adjustments to property operating expenses. We recognize the amortization of other intangible assets on property acquisitions as amortization expense.

Properties

We report properties to be developed or held and used in operations at our depreciated cost, reduced for impairment losses. The preconstruction stage of the development or redevelopment of an operating property includes efforts and related costs to secure land control and zoning, evaluate feasibility and complete other initial tasks which are essential to development.

We capitalize direct and indirect project costs (including related compensation and other indirect costs), interest expense and real estate taxes associated with properties, or portions thereof, undergoing construction, development and redevelopment activities. In capitalizing interest expense, if there is a specific borrowing for a property undergoing construction, development and redevelopment activities, we apply the interest rate of that borrowing to the average accumulated expenditures that do not exceed such borrowing; for the portion of expenditures exceeding any such specific borrowing, we apply our weighted average interest rate on other borrowings to the expenditures. We continue to capitalize costs while construction, development or redevelopment activities are underway until a property becomes “operational,” which occurs when lease terms commence (generally when the tenant has control of the leased space and we have delivered the premises to the tenant as required under the terms of such lease), but no later than one year after the cessation of major construction activities. When leases commence on portions of a newly-constructed or redeveloped property in the period prior to one year from the cessation of major construction activities, we consider that property to be “partially operational.” When a property is partially operational, we allocate the costs associated with the property between the portion that is operational and the portion under construction. We start depreciating newly-constructed and redeveloped properties as they become operational.

Most of our leases involve some form of improvements to leased space. When we are required to provide improvements under the terms of a lease, we determine whether the improvements constitute landlord assets or tenant assets. If the improvements are landlord assets, we capitalize the cost of the improvements and recognize depreciation expense associated with such improvements over the shorter of the useful life of the assets or the term of the lease and recognize any payments from the tenant as rental revenue over the term of the lease. If the improvements are tenant assets, we defer the cost of improvements funded by us as a lease incentive asset and amortize it as a reduction of rental revenue over the term of the lease. In determining whether improvements constitute landlord or tenant assets, we consider numerous factors, including: whether the improvements are unique to the tenant or reusable by other tenants; whether the tenant is permitted to alter or remove the improvements without our consent or without compensating us for any lost fair value; whether the ownership of the improvements remains with us or remains with the tenant at the end of the lease term; and whether the economic substance of the lease terms is properly reflected.

We depreciate our fixed assets using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives as follows:



		Estimated Useful Lives
Buildings and building improvements		10-40 years
Land improvements		10-20 years
Tenant improvements on operating properties		Related lease term
Equipment and personal property		3-10 years

We assess each of our properties for indicators of impairment quarterly or when circumstances indicate that a property may be impaired. If our analyses indicate that the carrying values of operating properties, properties in development or land held for future development may be impaired, we perform a recovery analysis for such properties. For long-lived assets to be held and used, we analyze recoverability based on the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated from the operations and eventual disposition of the assets over, in most cases, a ten-year holding period. If we believe there is a significant possibility that we might dispose of the assets earlier, we analyze recoverability using a probability weighted analysis of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated from the operations and eventual disposition of the assets over the various possible holding periods. If the recovery analysis indicates that the carrying value of a tested property is not recoverable from estimated future cash flows, it is written down to its estimated fair value and an impairment loss is recognized. If and when our plans change, we revise our recoverability analyses to use the cash flows expected from the operations and eventual disposition of each asset using holding periods that are consistent with our revised plans. Changes in holding periods may require us to recognize significant impairment losses.

Fair values are estimated based on contract prices, indicative bids, discounted cash flow analyses, yield analyses or sales comparison approach. Estimated cash flows used in such analyses are based on our plans for the property and our views of market and economic conditions. The estimates consider factors such as current and future rental rates, occupancies for the tested property and comparable properties, estimated operating and capital expenditures and recent sales data for comparable properties; most of these factors are influenced by market data obtained from real estate leasing and brokerage firms and our direct experience with the properties and their markets.

When we determine that a property is held for sale, we stop depreciating the property and estimate the property’s fair value, net of selling costs; if we then determine that the estimated fair value, net of selling costs, is less than the net book value of the property, we recognize an impairment loss equal to the difference and reduce the net book value of the property. For periods in which a property is classified as held for sale, we classify the assets of the property as held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet for such periods.

When we dispose of, or classify as held for sale, a component or group of components that represents a strategic shift having a major effect on our operations and financial results (such as a major geographical area of operations, a major line of business or a major equity method investment), we classify the associated results of operations as discontinued operations. We had no properties newly classified as discontinued operations in the last three years.

Sale of Interests in Real Estate

Sales of Interests in Real Estate

We recognize gains from sales of interests in real estate using the full accrual method, provided that various criteria relating to the terms of sale and any subsequent involvement by us with the real estate sold are met.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash and liquid investments that mature three months or less from when they are purchased. Cash equivalents are reported at cost, which approximates fair value. We maintain our cash in bank accounts in amounts that may exceed Federally insured limits at times. We have not experienced any losses in these accounts in the past and believe that we are not exposed to significant credit risk because our accounts are deposited with major financial institutions.

Investments in Marketable Securities

We classify marketable securities as trading securities when we have the intent to sell such securities in the near term, and classify other marketable securities as available-for-sale securities. We determine the appropriate classification of investments in marketable securities at the acquisition date and re-evaluate the classification at each balance sheet date. We report investments in marketable securities classified as trading securities at fair value (which is included in the line entitled “Prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on our consolidated balance sheets), with unrealized gains and losses recognized through earnings; on our consolidated statements of cash flows, we classify cash flows from these securities as operating activities.

Accounts and Deferred Rents Receivable and Investing Receivables

We maintain allowances for estimated losses resulting from the failure of our customers or borrowers to satisfy their payment obligations. We use judgment in estimating these allowances based primarily upon the payment history and credit status of the entities associated with the individual receivables. We write off these receivables when we believe the facts and circumstances indicate that continued pursuit of collection is no longer warranted. When cash is received in connection with receivables for which we have established allowances, we reduce the amount of losses previously recognized.

We evaluate the collectability of both interest and principal of loans whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate such amounts may not be recoverable. A loan is impaired when it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. When a loan is impaired, the amount of the loss accrual is calculated by comparing the carrying amount of the investment to the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate and the value of any collateral under such loan.

Interest on impaired loans is recognized when received in cash.

Deferred Leasing and Financing Costs, Net

Deferred Leasing Costs

We defer costs incurred to obtain new tenant leases or extend existing tenant leases, including related compensation costs. We amortize these costs evenly over the lease terms. We classify leasing costs paid as an investing activity on our statements of cash flows since such costs are necessary in order for us to generate long-term future cash flows from our properties. When tenant leases are terminated early, we expense any unamortized deferred leasing costs associated with those leases over the shortened term of the lease.

Deferred Financing Costs

We defer costs of financing arrangements and recognize these costs as interest expense over the related debt terms on a straight-line basis, which approximates the amortization that would occur under the effective interest method of amortization. We expense any unamortized loan costs when loans are retired early. We present deferred costs of financing arrangements as a direct deduction from the related debt liability, except for costs attributable to line-of-credit arrangements and interest rate derivatives, which we present in the balance sheet in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net”.

Noncontrolling Interests

COPT’s consolidated noncontrolling interests are comprised of interests in COPLP not owned by COPT (discussed further in Note 14) and interests in consolidated real estate joint ventures not owned by us (discussed further in Note 6). COPLP’s consolidated noncontrolling interests are comprised primarily of interests in our consolidated real estate joint ventures. Also included in COPLP’s consolidated noncontrolling interests are interests in several real estate entities owned directly by COPT, or a wholly owned subsidiary of COPT, that generally do not exceed 1% of interests in such entities. We evaluate whether noncontrolling interests are subject to redemption features outside of our control. For noncontrolling interests that are currently redeemable for cash at the option of the holders of such interests or deemed probable to eventually become redeemable, we classify such interests as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the mezzanine section of our consolidated balance sheets; we adjust these interests each period to the greater of their fair value or carrying amount (initial amount as adjusted for allocations of income and losses and contributions and distributions), with a corresponding offset to additional paid-in capital on COPT’s consolidated balance sheets or common units on COPLP’s balance sheet, and only recognize reductions in such interests to the extent of their carrying amount. Our other noncontrolling interests are reported in the equity section of our consolidated balance sheets. The amounts reported for noncontrolling interests on our consolidated statements of operations represent the portion of these entities’ income or losses not attributable to us.

Revenue Recognition

Real Estate Operations Revenue

We recognize minimum rents, net of abatements, on a straight-line basis over the noncancelable term of tenant leases. A lease term commences when: (1) the tenant has control of the leased space (legal right to use the property); and (2) we have delivered the premises to the tenant as required under the terms of such lease. The noncancelable term of a lease includes periods when a tenant: (1) may not terminate its lease obligation early without incurring a penalty in such an amount that the continuation of the lease appears reasonably assured; (2) possesses renewal rights and the tenant’s failure to exercise such rights imposes a penalty on the tenant material enough such that renewal appears reasonably assured; or (3) possesses bargain renewal options for such periods. We report the amount by which our minimum rental revenue recognized on a straight-line basis under leases exceeds the contractual rent billings associated with such leases as deferred rent receivable on our consolidated balance sheets. Amounts by which our minimum rental revenue recognized on a straight-line basis under leases are less than the contractual rent billings associated with such leases are reported in liabilities as deferred revenue associated with operating leases on our consolidated balance sheets.

In connection with a tenant’s entry into, or modification of, a lease, if we make cash payments to, or on behalf of, the tenant for purposes other than funding the construction of landlord assets, we defer the amount of such payments as lease incentives. As discussed above, when we are required to provide improvements under the terms of a lease, we determine whether the improvements constitute landlord assets or tenant assets; if the improvements are tenant assets, we defer the cost of improvements funded by us as a lease incentive asset. We amortize lease incentives as a reduction of rental revenue over the term of the lease.

We recognize tenant recovery revenue in the same periods in which we incur the related expenses. Tenant recovery revenue includes payments from tenants as reimbursement for property taxes, utilities and other property operating expenses.

We recognize fees received for lease terminations as revenue and write off against such revenue any (1) deferred rents receivable, and (2) deferred revenue, lease incentives and intangible assets that are amortizable into rental revenue associated with the leases; the resulting net amount is the net revenue from the early termination of the leases. When a tenant’s lease for space in a property is terminated early but the tenant continues to lease such space under a new or modified lease in the property, the net revenue from the early termination of the lease is recognized evenly over the remaining life of the new or modified lease in place on that property.

Construction Contract and Other Service Revenues

We enter into construction contracts to complete various design and construction services primarily for our United States Government tenants. The revenues and expenses from these services consist primarily of subcontracted costs that are reimbursed to us by our customers along with a fee. These services are an ancillary component of our overall operations, with small operating margins relative to the revenue. We review each contract to determine the performance obligations and allocate the transaction price based on the standalone selling price, as discussed further below. We recognize revenue under these contracts as services are performed in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those services. Our performance obligations are satisfied over time as work progresses. Revenue recognition is determined using the input method based on costs incurred as of point in time relative to the total estimated costs at completion to measure progress toward satisfying our performance obligations. We believe incurred costs of work performed best depicts the transfer of control of the services being transferred to the customer.

In determining whether the performance obligations of each construction contract should be accounted for separately versus together, we consider numerous factors that may require significant judgment, including: whether the components contracted are substantially the same with the same pattern of transfer; whether the customer could contract with another party to perform construction based on our design project; and whether the customer can elect not to move forward after the design phase of the contract. Most of our contracts have a single performance obligation as the promise to transfer the services is not separately identifiable from other obligations in the contracts and, therefore, are not distinct. Some contracts have multiple performance obligations, most commonly due to having distinct project phases for design and construction for which our customer is making decisions and managing separately. In these cases, we allocate the transaction price between these performance obligations based on the relative standalone selling prices, which we determine by evaluating: the relative costs of each performance obligation; the expected operating margins (which typically do not vary significantly between obligations); and amounts set forth in the contracts for each obligation. Contract modifications, such as change orders, are routine for our construction contracts and are generally determined to be additions to the existing performance obligations because they would have been part of the initial performance obligations if they were identified at the initial contract date.

We have three main types of compensation arrangements for our construction contracts: guaranteed maximum price (“GMP”); firm fixed price (“FFP”); and cost-plus fee.

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GMP contracts provide for revenue equal to costs incurred plus a fee equal to a percentage of such costs, up to a maximum contract amount. We generally enter into GMP contracts for projects that are significant in nature based on the size of the project and total fees, and for which the full scope of the project has not been determined as of the contract date. GMP contracts are lower risk to us than FFP contracts since the costs and revenue move proportionately to one another.

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FFP contracts provide for revenue equal to a fixed fee. These contracts are typically lower in value and scope relative to GMP contracts, and are generally entered into when the scope of the project is well defined. Typically, we assume more risk with FFP contracts than GMP contracts since the revenue is fixed and we could realize losses or less than expected profits if we incur more costs than originally estimated. However, these types of contracts offer the opportunity for additional profits when we complete the work for less than originally estimated.


•	Cost-plus fee contracts provide for revenue equal to costs incurred plus a fee equal to a percentage of such costs but, unlike GMP contracts, do not have a maximum contract amount. Similar to GMP contracts, cost-plus fee contracts are low risk to us since the costs and revenue move proportionately to one another.

Construction contract cost estimates are based primarily on contracts in place with subcontractors to complete most of the work, but may also include assumptions, such as performance of subcontractors and cost and availability of materials, to project the outcome of future events over the course of the project. We review and update these estimates regularly as a significant change could affect the profitability of our construction contracts. We recognize adjustments in estimated profit on contracts under the cumulative catch-up method as the modification does not create a new performance obligation. Under this method, the impact of the adjustment on profit recorded to date on a contract is recognized in the period the adjustment is identified. Revenue and profit in future periods are recognized using the adjusted estimate. If at any time the estimate of contract profitability indicates an anticipated loss on the contract, we recognize the total loss in the quarter it is identified.

Our timing of revenue recognition for construction contracts generally differs from the timing of invoicing to customers. We recognize such revenue as we satisfy our performance obligations. Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type. Under most of our contracts, we bill customers monthly, as work progresses, in accordance with the contract terms, with payment due in 30 days, although customers occasionally pay in advance of services being provided. We have determined that our contracts generally do not include a significant financing component. The primary purpose of the timing of our invoicing is for convenience, not to receive financing from our customers or to provide customers with financing. Additionally, the timing of transfer of the services is often at the discretion of the customer.

Under most of our contracts, we bill customers one month subsequent to revenue recognition, resulting in contract assets representing unbilled construction revenue.

Our contract liabilities consist of advance payments from our customers or billings in excess of construction contract revenue recognized.

Interest Rate Derivatives

Our primary objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we primarily use interest rate swaps as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for our making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. Derivatives are used to hedge the cash flows associated with interest rates on existing debt as well as future debt. We recognize all derivatives as assets or liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet at fair value.

Prior to our adoption of guidance issued by the FASB effective January 1, 2018, we: deferred only the effective portion of changes in fair value of the designated cash flow hedges to accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) or loss (“AOCL”), reclassifying such deferrals to interest expense as interest expense was recognized on the hedged forecasted transactions; and recognized the ineffective portion of the change in fair value of interest rate derivatives directly in interest expense. Effective January 1, 2018, we defer all changes in the fair value of designated cash flow hedges to AOCI or AOCL, reclassifying such deferrals to interest expense as interest expense is recognized on the hedged forecasted transactions. When an interest rate swap designated as a cash flow hedge no longer qualifies for hedge accounting and the hedged transactions are probable not to occur, we recognize changes in fair value of the hedge previously deferred to AOCI or AOCL, along with any changes in fair value occurring thereafter, through earnings. We do not use interest rate derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. We manage counter-party risk by only entering into contracts with major financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other risk factors.

We use standard market conventions and techniques such as discounted cash flow analysis, option pricing models, replacement cost and termination cost in computing the fair value of derivatives at each balance sheet date. We made an accounting policy election to use an exception provided for in the applicable accounting guidance with respect to measuring counterparty credit risk for derivative instruments; this election enables us to measure the fair value of groups of assets and liabilities associated with derivative instruments consistently with how market participants would price the net risk exposure as of the measurement date.

Refer to the section below entitled “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for additional disclosure pertaining to the effect of the new hedge accounting guidance that we adopted effective January 1, 2018 and Note 11 for additional disclosure pertaining to our interest rate derivatives.

Expense Classification

We classify as property operations expense costs incurred for property taxes, ground rents, utilities, property management, insurance, repairs, exterior and interior maintenance and tenant revenue collection losses, as well as associated labor and indirect costs attributable to these costs.

We classify as general, administrative and leasing expenses costs incurred for corporate-level management, public company administration, asset management, leasing, investor relations, marketing and corporate-level insurance (including general business and director and officers) and leasing prospects, as well as associated labor and indirect costs attributable to these expenses.

Share-Based Compensation

We issue three forms of share-based compensation: restricted COPT common shares (“restricted shares”), deferred share awards (also known as restricted share units) and performance share units (also known as performance share awards) (“PSUs”). We also issued options to purchase COPT common shares (“options”) in prior years. We account for share-based compensation in accordance with authoritative guidance provided by the FASB that establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services, focusing primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. The guidance requires us to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based generally on the fair value of the award on the grant date; such cost is then recognized over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. The guidance also requires that share-based compensation be computed based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest; as a result, future forfeitures of awards are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. If an award is voluntarily cancelled by an employee, we recognize the previously unrecognized cost associated with the original award on the date of such cancellation. We capitalize costs associated with share-based compensation attributable to employees engaged in construction and development activities.

When we adopted the authoritative guidance on accounting for share-based compensation, we elected to adopt the alternative transition method for calculating the tax effects of share-based compensation. This method enabled us to use a simplified method to establishing the beginning balance of the additional paid-in capital pool related to the tax effects of employee share-based compensation that was available to absorb tax deficiencies recognized subsequent to the adoption of this guidance.

We compute the fair value of restricted shares and deferred share awards based on the fair value of COPT common shares on the grant date. We compute the fair value of PSUs using a Monte Carlo model. Significant assumptions used for that model include the following: the baseline common share value is the market value on the grant date; the risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant; and expected volatility is based on historical volatility of COPT’s common shares.

Income Taxes

COPT elected to be treated as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code. To qualify as a REIT, COPT must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that it distribute at least 90% of the Company’s adjusted taxable income to its shareholders. As a REIT, COPT generally will not be subject to Federal income tax on taxable income that it distributes to its shareholders. If COPT fails to qualify as a REIT in any tax year, it will be subject to Federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate rates and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent tax years.

COPLP is a limited partnership and is not subject to federal income tax. Its partners are required to report their respective share of the Operating Partnership’s taxable income on their respective tax returns. COPT’s share of the Operating Partnership’s taxable income is reported on COPT’s income tax return.

For Federal income tax purposes, dividends to shareholders may be characterized as ordinary income, capital gains or return of capital. The characterization of dividends paid on COPT’s common and preferred shares during each of the last three years was as follows:



	Common Shares						Preferred Shares
	For the Years Ended December 31,						For the Years Ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016		2018	2017		2016
Ordinary income	83.1	%	86.5	%	48.0	%	N/A	100.0	%	100.0	%
Return of capital	16.9	%	13.5	%	52.0	%	N/A	0.0	%	0.0	%

We distributed all of COPT’s REIT taxable income in 2018, 2017 and 2016 and, as a result, did not incur Federal income tax in those years.

The net basis of our consolidated assets and liabilities for tax reporting purposes was approximately $47 million lower than the amount reported on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 which was primarily related to differences in basis for net properties, intangible assets on property acquisitions and deferred rent receivable.

We are subject to certain state and local income and franchise taxes. The expense associated with these state and local taxes is included in general and administrative expense and property operating expenses on our consolidated statements of operations. We did not separately state these amounts on our consolidated statements of operations because they are insignificant.

Reclassification

We reclassified certain amounts from prior periods to conform to the current period presentation of our consolidated financial statements with no effect on previously reported net income or equity, including restricted cash and marketable securities that were reclassified to the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on our consolidated balance sheets after having been reported on a separate line in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed in prior years and previous Annual Reports on Form 10-K.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

We adopted guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) effective January 1, 2018 regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers (“Topic 606”). Under this guidance, an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance also requires improved disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We determined that Topic 606 is applicable to our construction contract and other service revenues, which includes predominantly construction and design projects performed primarily for tenants of our properties. We used the modified retrospective method for contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Under this method, the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance is recognized as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the date of initial application. Our adoption of Topic 606 effective January 1, 2018 did not affect our consolidated financial statements other than additional disclosure provided in accordance with the guidance. We did not elect to use any of the practical expedients provided for under the guidance. As discussed further below, Topic 606 will also apply to lease revenue deemed to be non-lease components (such as common area maintenance and provision of utilities) once the new guidance setting forth principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases goes into effect on January 1, 2019.

We adopted, prospectively effective January 1, 2018, guidance issued by the FASB that requires entities to measure equity investments at fair value through net income, except for those that result in consolidation or are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. For equity investments without readily determinable fair values, the guidance permits the application of a measurement alternative using the cost of the investment, less any impairments, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. Our adoption of this guidance had no effect on our consolidated financial statements.

We adopted, retrospectively effective January 1, 2018, guidance issued by the FASB pertaining to reporting on the statement of cash flows that:

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clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice related to eight specific cash flow issues. The areas addressed in the new guidance relate to debt prepayment costs, settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned and bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investments, beneficial interest in securitization transactions and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle; and

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requires the statement of cash flows to explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Under the new guidance, amounts described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents will be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. As a result of our adoption of this guidance, the change in restricted cash is no longer reported as either operating or investing activities on our statements of cash flows. Our restricted cash primarily consists of cash escrowed under mortgage debt for capital improvements and real estate taxes and certain tenant security deposits.

Our adoption of this guidance had the following effects on our consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):



	For the Year Ended December 31, 2017									For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
	As Previously Reported			Impact of Adoption			As Adjusted			As Previously Reported			Impact of Adoption			As Adjusted
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	230,654		$	(533	)	$	230,121		$	232,538		$	1,732		$	234,270
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	$	(89,710	)	$	347		$	(89,363	)	$	71,449		$	(275	)	$	71,174
Net cash used in financing activities	$	(338,546	)	$	—		$	(338,546	)	$	(154,434	)	$	(654	)	$	(155,088	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	(197,602	)	$	(186	)	$	(197,788	)	$	149,553		$	803		$	150,356
Beginning of period cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	209,863		$	2,756		$	212,619		$	60,310		$	1,953		$	62,263
End of period cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	12,261		$	2,570		$	14,831		$	209,863		$	2,756		$	212,619

We adopted guidance issued by the FASB that clarifies the scope of provisions and accounting for nonfinancial asset derecognition, including partial sales of real estate assets, effective January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective method. The new guidance requires recognition of a sale of real estate and resulting gain or loss when control transfers and the buyer has the ability to direct use of, or obtain substantially all of the remaining benefit from, the asset (which generally will occur on the closing date); the factor of continuing involvement is no longer a specific consideration for the timing of recognition. The new guidance eliminates the need to consider adequacy of buyer investment, which was replaced by additional judgments regarding collectability and intent and/or ability to pay. The new guidance also requires an entity to derecognize nonfinancial assets and in-substance nonfinancial assets once it transfers control of such assets. When an entity transfers its controlling interest in a nonfinancial asset but retains a noncontrolling ownership interest, the entity is required to measure any non-controlling interest it receives or retains at fair value and recognize a full gain or loss on the transaction; as a result, sales and partial sales of real estate assets are now subject to the same derecognition model as all other nonfinancial assets. We had a transaction in July 2016 accounted for as a partial sale under the previous guidance that meets the criteria for immediate full gain recognition under the new guidance; as a result, we retrospectively recognized an additional $18 million in income in 2016 that was being amortized into income in subsequent periods under the previous guidance. The recognition pattern for our other sales of real estate were not changed by this new guidance. The full retrospective method requires adjustment of each reporting period presented at the time of adoption.

The tables below set forth the impact of the adoption of this guidance for amounts previously reported on the consolidated financial statements of COPT and subsidiaries (in thousands, except per share data):



	As of December 31, 2017								As of December 31, 2016
Consolidated Balance Sheets	As Previously Reported			Impact of Adoption		As Adjusted			As Previously Reported			Impact of Adoption		As Adjusted
Investment in unconsolidated real estate joint venture	$	25,066		$	16,721	$	41,787		$	25,548		$	18,113	$	43,661
Cumulative distributions in excess of net income	$	(818,190	)	$	16,105	$	(802,085	)	$	(765,276	)	$	17,451	$	(747,825	)
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	$	65,549		$	616	$	66,165		$	71,605		$	662	$	72,267



	For the Year Ended December 31, 2017									For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	As Previously Reported			Impact of Adoption			As Adjusted			As Previously Reported			Impact of Adoption			As Adjusted
Gain on sales of real estate	$	9,890		$	—		$	9,890		$	40,986		$	18,693		$	59,679
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated entities and income taxes	$	74,549		$	—		$	74,549		$	14,567		$	18,693		$	33,260
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	$	2,882		$	(1,392	)	$	1,490		$	1,332		$	(580	)	$	752
Net income	$	76,333		$	(1,392	)	$	74,941		$	15,655		$	18,113		$	33,768
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests - Common units in COPLP	$	(1,936	)	$	46		$	(1,890	)	$	155		$	(662	)	$	(507	)
Net income attributable to COPT	$	70,091		$	(1,346	)	$	68,745		$	11,439		$	17,451		$	28,890
Net income (loss) attributable to COPT common shareholders	$	57,025		$	(1,346	)	$	55,679		$	(2,875	)	$	17,451		$	14,576
Earnings per common share - basic and diluted	$	0.57		$	(0.01	)	$	0.56		$	(0.03	)	$	0.18		$	0.15
Comprehensive income	$	80,360		$	(1,392	)	$	78,968		$	16,786		$	18,113		$	34,899
Comprehensive income attributable to COPT	$	73,989		$	(1,346	)	$	72,643		$	12,546		$	17,451		$	29,997

The tables below set forth the impact of the adoption of this guidance for amounts previously reported on the consolidated financial statements of COPLP and subsidiaries (in thousands, except per unit data):



	As of December 31, 2017						As of December 31, 2016
Consolidated Balance Sheets	As Previously Reported		Impact of Adoption		As Adjusted		As Previously Reported		Impact of Adoption		As Adjusted
Investment in unconsolid. real estate joint venture	$	25,066	$	16,721	$	41,787	$	25,548	$	18,113	$	43,661
Common units	$	1,428,301	$	16,721	$	1,445,022	$	1,401,597	$	18,113	$	1,419,710



	For the Year Ended December 31, 2017							For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	As Previously Reported		Impact of Adoption			As Adjusted		As Previously Reported			Impact of Adoption			As Adjusted
Gain on sales of real estate	$	9,890	$	—		$	9,890	$	40,986		$	18,693		$	59,679
Income before equity in income of unconsolidated entities and income taxes	$	74,549	$	—		$	74,549	$	14,567		$	18,693		$	33,260
Equity in income of unconsolidated entities	$	2,882	$	(1,392	)	$	1,490	$	1,332		$	(580	)	$	752
Net income	$	76,333	$	(1,392	)	$	74,941	$	15,655		$	18,113		$	33,768
Net income attributable to COPLP	$	72,687	$	(1,392	)	$	71,295	$	11,940		$	18,113		$	30,053
Net income (loss) attributable to COPLP common unitholders	$	58,961	$	(1,392	)	$	57,569	$	(3,034	)	$	18,113		$	15,079
Earnings per common unit - basic and diluted	$	0.57	$	(0.01	)	$	0.56	$	(0.04	)	$	0.19		$	0.15
Comprehensive income	$	80,360	$	(1,392	)	$	78,968	$	16,786		$	18,113		$	34,899
Comprehensive income attributable to COPLP	$	76,714	$	(1,392	)	$	75,322	$	13,071		$	18,113		$	31,184

Adoption of this guidance had no impact to cash provided by or used in operating, financing or investing activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

We early adopted guidance issued by the FASB effective January 1, 2018 that makes targeted improvements to hedge accounting. This new guidance simplifies the application of hedge accounting and better aligns financial reporting for hedging activities with companies’ economic objectives in undertaking those activities. Under the new guidance, all changes in the fair value of highly effective cash flow hedges will be recorded in other comprehensive income instead of income. The new guidance also eases the administrative burden of hedge documentation requirements and assessing hedge effectiveness. We adopted this guidance using the modified retrospective transition method under which we eliminated $276,000 in previously-recorded cumulative hedge ineffectiveness as of January 1, 2018 by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to our beginning balance of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), with a corresponding adjustment to the beginning balance of: cumulative distributions in excess of net income for COPT and subsidiaries; and common units for COPLP and subsidiaries.

We adopted amendments by the Securities and Exchange Commission to its rules effective November 5, 2018 to simplify or eliminate outdated, duplicative or overlapping disclosure requirements. The amendments also expanded certain disclosure requirements, such as requiring (effective January 1, 2019) current and comparative quarter and year-to-date reporting of changes in shareholders’ equity in interim periods. The resulting changes in disclosure were not material to the consolidated financial statements included herein.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that sets forth principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases. This guidance requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset by the lessee. The resulting classification determines whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases. The guidance requires lessors of real estate to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective transition approach under which we apply the guidance effective January 1, 2019, with a cumulative-effect adjustment as of such date, and not adjust prior comparative reporting periods. The guidance permits lessees and lessors to elect to apply a package of practical expedients that allow them not to reassess upon adoption: the lease classification for any expired or existing leases; their deferred recognition of incremental direct costs of leasing for any expired or existing leases; and whether any expired or existing contracts are, or contain, leases. The guidance also permits lessors to elect a practical expedient (by class of underlying asset) to avoid separating non-lease components that otherwise would need to be accounted for under the recently-adopted revenue accounting guidance (such as common area maintenance and provision of utilities) from the associated lease component if (1) the non-lease components have the same timing and pattern of transfer as the associated lease component and (2) the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. Once this practical expedient is adopted, the lessor would be able to account for the combination of the lease component and non-lease components as an operating lease as long as the lease component is the predominant component of the combined components. We elected each of these practical expedients. Below is a summary of the effects of this guidance on our accounting and reporting.


•	Real estate leases in which we are the lessor:


◦	Balance sheet reporting: We will apply an approach under the new guidance that is similar to the current accounting for operating leases, in which we will continue to recognize the underlying leased asset as property on our balance sheet.


◦	Deferral of non-incremental lease costs: Under the new lease guidance, we will be expensing future non-incremental costs in connection with new or extended tenant leases the recognition of which would have been deferred under current accounting; these deferrals totaled $1.2 million in 2018 and $1.1 million in each of 2017 and 2016.


•	Leases in which we are the lessee:

◦

Our most significant leases as lessee are ground leases. We will be required to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for the present value of these minimum lease payments. These types of leases will be classified as finance leases under the new guidance, which would result in the interest component of each lease payment being recorded as interest expense and the right-of-use asset being amortized into expense using the straight-line method over the life of the lease; however, we elected to apply the package of practical expedients under which we will continue to account for our existing ground leases as operating leases upon adoption of the guidance. Upon adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2019, in connection with our ground leases, we recognized right-of-use assets and offsetting lease liabilities totaling approximately $14 million to $19 million, and also reclassified amounts previously presented elsewhere on our balance sheet in connection with these leases to the right-of-use assets.

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance that changes how entities measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The guidance replaces the current incurred loss model with an expected loss approach, resulting in a more timely recognition of such losses. The guidance 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). Under the new guidance, an entity will recognize its estimate of expected credit losses as an allowance, as the guidance requires that financial assets be measured on an amortized cost basis and to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The guidance is effective for us beginning January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted after December 2018. We are currently assessing the financial impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance that modifies disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. This guidance is effective for us beginning January 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for this guidance, and entities are permitted to early adopt with respect to any removed or modified disclosures while delaying adoption of additional disclosure requirements until the effective date. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance that aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. FASB guidance did not previously address the accounting for such implementation costs. The guidance is effective for us beginning January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.