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, 2019

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, 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 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 allocation of property acquisition costs, 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.

Properties

We report properties to be developed or held and used in operations at our depreciated cost, reduced for impairment losses. The predevelopment 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 that 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 development and redevelopment activities. In capitalizing interest expense, if there is a specific borrowing for a property undergoing 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 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-developed 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 development. We start depreciating newly-developed 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		Shorter of remaining useful lives of assets or related lease term
Equipment and personal property		3-10 years

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 Interest In Properties

Sales of Interests in Properties

We recognize gains from sales of interests in properties 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.

Impairment of Properties

We assess the asset groups associated with each of our properties, including operating properties, properties in development, land held for future development, related intangible assets, right-of-use assets, deferred rents receivable and lease liabilities for indicators of impairment quarterly or when circumstances indicate that an asset group may be impaired. If our analyses indicate that the carrying values of certain properties’ asset groups may be impaired, we perform a recovery analysis for such asset groups. For properties 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 properties over, in most cases, a ten-year holding period. If we believe it is more likely than not that we will dispose of the properties 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 properties over the various possible holding periods. If the analysis indicates that the carrying value of a tested property’s asset group is not recoverable from its estimated future cash flows, the property’s asset group is written down to the property’s 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 such property 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 comparable sales analyses. Estimated cash flows used in our impairment analyses are based on our plans for the property and our views of market and economic conditions. The estimates consider items such as current and future market rental and occupancy rates, estimated operating and capital expenditures and recent sales data for comparable properties; most of these items 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’s asset group, we recognize an impairment loss equal to the difference and reduce the net book value of the property’s asset group. For periods in which a property is classified as held for sale, we classify the assets of the property’s asset group as held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet for such periods.

Acquisition 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, development 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

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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.

Property Right-of-Use Assets

We lease land underlying certain properties that we are operating or developing from third parties. In determining operating right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for our existing operating leases upon our adoption of the new lease guidance discussed below, as well as for new operating leases in the current period, we were required to estimate an appropriate incremental borrowing rate on a fully-collateralized basis for the terms of the leases. Since the terms under our ground leases are significantly longer than the terms of borrowings available to us on a fully-collateralized basis, our estimate of this rate requires significant judgment, and considers factors such as interest rates available to us on a fully-collateralized basis for shorter-termed debt and U.S. Treasury rates.

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 evaluate our receivables from customers and borrowers for collectability and recognize estimated credit losses on these receivables. We use judgment in estimating these losses based primarily upon the payment history and credit status of the entities associated with the individual receivables. We write off 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 previously recognized credit losses, we recognize reductions in our credit losses.

For lease revenue, if collectability is not probable, revenue recognized is limited to the lesser of revenue that would have been recognized if collectability was probable or lease payments collected. Losses on lease revenue receivables are presented on our consolidated statements of operation with property operating expenses for years prior to January 1, 2019, when we adopted new lease accounting guidance, and as reductions in lease revenue thereafter.

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.

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- 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.

Deferred Leasing and Financing Costs, Net

Deferred Leasing Costs

We defer costs incurred to obtain new tenant leases or extend existing tenant leases; our deferral of costs included related non-incremental compensation costs until January 1, 2019, when we adopted new lease accounting guidance. 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”.

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 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. We use interest rate swaps to hedge the cash flows associated with interest rates on variable-rate debt borrowings. We also use forward-starting interest rate swaps to hedge the cash flows associated with interest rates on forecasted fixed-rate borrowings. 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 Financial Accounting Standards Board (“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.

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. We classify noncontrolling interests that are currently redeemable for cash at the option of the holders or are probable of becoming redeemable 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. Our other noncontrolling interests are reported in the equity section of our consolidated balance sheets.

Revenue Recognition

Lease and Other Property Revenue

We lease real estate properties, comprised primarily of office properties and data center shells, to third parties. These leases usually include options under which the tenant may renew its lease based on market rates at the time of renewal, which are then typically subject to further negotiation. These leases occasionally provide the tenant with an option to terminate its lease early usually for a defined termination fee.

Most of our lease revenue is from fixed contractual payments defined under the lease that, in most cases, escalate annually over the term of the lease. Our lease revenue also includes variable lease payments predominantly for tenant reimbursements of property operating expenses and lease termination fees. Property operating expense reimbursement structures vary, with some tenants responsible for all of a property’s expenses, while others are responsible for their share of a property’s expense only to the extent such expenses exceed amounts defined in the lease (which are derived from the property’s historical expense levels). Lease termination fees in most cases result from a tenant’s exercise of an existing right under a lease.

Our leases of properties as lessor reflected herein are classified as operating leases. We recognize minimum rents on operating leases, net of abatements, on a straight-line basis over the 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 term of a lease includes the noncancellable periods of the lease along with periods covered by: (1) a tenant option to extend the lease if the tenant is reasonably certain to exercise that option; (2) a tenant option to terminate the lease if the tenant is reasonably certain not to exercise that option; and (3) an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease in which exercise of the option is controlled by us as the lessor. When assessing the expected lease end date, we use judgment in contemplating the significance of: any penalties a tenant may incur should it choose not to exercise any existing options to extend the lease or exercise any existing options to terminate the lease; and economic incentives for the tenant based on any existing contract, asset, entity or market-based factors in the lease. While a significant portion of our portfolio is leased to the USG, and the majority of those leases consist of a series of one-year renewal options, or provide for early termination rights, we have concluded that exercise of existing renewal options, or continuation of such leases without exercising early termination rights, is reasonably certain for most of these leases.

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.

If collectability under a lease is not probable, revenue recognized is limited to the lesser of revenue that would have been recognized if collectability was probable or lease payments collected.

We recognize lease revenue associated with tenant expense recoveries in the same periods in which we incur the related expenses, including tenant reimbursements of 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 USG 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 a 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.

Expense Classification

We classify as property operating expense costs incurred for property taxes, ground rents, utilities, property management, insurance, repairs and exterior and interior maintenance, 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 four forms of share-based compensation: restricted COPT common shares (“restricted shares”), deferred share awards (also known as restricted share units), performance share units (also known as performance share awards) (“PSUs”) and profit interest units (“PIUs”) (time-based and performance-based). 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 development and redevelopment activities.

We compute the fair value of restricted shares, time-based PIUs and deferred share awards based on the fair value of COPT common shares on the grant date. We compute the fair value of PSUs and performance-based PIUs 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,
	2019		2018		2017		2019	2018	2017
Ordinary income	54.4	%	83.1	%	86.5	%	N/A	N/A	100.0	%
Return of capital	45.6	%	16.9	%	13.5	%	N/A	N/A	0.0	%

While the dividends allocated to each of the above years for Federal income tax purposes included dividends paid on COPT’s common shares during each of those years, the dividends allocated to 2019 for Federal income tax purposes also included dividends paid on January 15, 2020 (with a record date of December 31, 2019).

We distributed all of COPT’s REIT taxable income in 2019, 2018 and 2017 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 $52 million higher than the amount reported on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 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 reclassifications of our revenue from real estate operations in connection with our adoption of new lease guidance described below.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance setting 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. This guidance requires lessors of real estate to account for leases using an approach substantially equivalent to guidance previously in place for operating leases, direct financing leases and sales-type leases. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective transition approach under which we elected to apply the guidance effective January 1, 2019 and not adjust prior comparative reporting periods (except for our presentation of lease revenue discussed below). We elected to apply a package of practical expedients that enabled us to carry forward upon adoption our historical assessments of: expired or existing leases regarding their lease classification and deferred recognition of non-incremental direct leasing costs; and whether any expired or existing contracts are, or contain, leases. We also elected a practical expedient that enabled us to avoid the need to assess whether expired or existing land easements not previously accounted for as leases are, or contain, a lease. In addition, we elected a practical expedient for our rental properties (as lessor) to avoid separating non-lease components that otherwise would need to be accounted for under the recently-adopted revenue accounting guidance (such as tenant reimbursements of property operating expenses) from the associated lease component since (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; this enables us to account for the combination of the lease component and non-lease components as an operating lease since the lease component is the predominant component of the combined components. Below is a summary of the primary changes in our accounting and reporting that resulted from our adoption of this guidance:


•	Property leases in which we are the lessor:


◦	Deferral of non-incremental leasing costs: For new or extended tenant leases, we no longer defer recognition of non-incremental leasing costs that we would have deferred under prior accounting guidance; these deferrals totaled $1.2 million in 2018 and $1.1 million in 2017.

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Change in presentation of revenue: Due to our adoption of the practical expedient discussed above to not separate non-lease component revenue from the associated lease component, we are aggregating revenue from our lease components and non-lease components (comprised predominantly of tenant operating expense reimbursements) into the line entitled “lease revenue.” We are reporting other revenue from our properties in the line entitled “other property revenue.” We recast prior periods for these changes in presentation.


◦	Changes in assessment of lease revenue collectability: Changes in our assessment of lease revenue collectability that previously would have resulted in charges to bad debt expense under prior guidance are being recognized as an adjustment to rental revenue under the new guidance. Such amounts recognized by us in prior periods were not significant.


◦	Operating expenses paid directly by tenants to third parties: Operating expenses paid directly by tenants to third parties (primarily for real estate taxes) and revenue associated with such tenant payments that would have been recognized under prior guidance will no longer be reported on our Statement of Operations. Such amounts recognized by us in prior periods were not significant.


•	Leases in which we are the lessee (the most significant of which are ground leases):

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Balance sheet presentation of property operating lease right-of-use assets: Upon adoption on January 1, 2019, we recognized property right-of-use assets and offsetting lease liabilities for existing operating leases totaling $16 million for the present value of minimum lease payments under these leases, and also reclassified an additional $11 million in amounts previously presented elsewhere on our balance sheet in connection with these leases to the right-of-use assets. We will recognize additional right-of-use assets and lease liabilities as we enter into new operating leases.

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Balance sheet presentation of property finance lease right-of-use assets: Property right-of-use assets of finance leases that previously were presented as properties under prior guidance are being presented as property finance right-of-use assets under the new guidance. As a result, we reclassified $38 million in assets from properties to property finance right-of-use assets upon adoption on January 1, 2019.


◦	Segment assets: We changed our definition of segment assets used for our reportable segments to include property right-of-use assets associated with operating properties, net of related lease liabilities.

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 applies to most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables (excluding ones arising from operating leases), loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments in leases and off-balance-sheet credit exposures (e.g. loan commitments and guarantees). Under the new guidance, we will recognize an estimate of our expected credit losses on these asset types as an allowance, as the guidance requires that financial assets be measured on an amortized

cost basis and be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. Upon adoption, our most significant assets within the scope of this guidance were our investing receivables and receivables and contract assets associated with our non-USG construction contracts. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020 using a modified retrospective transition approach under which we apply the guidance effective January 1, 2020, with a cumulative-effect adjustment as of such date, and do not adjust prior comparative reporting periods. Upon adoption, we recognized an allowance for expected credit losses on these assets with an offset to retained earnings that did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Following adoption, our consolidated statements of operations will reflect adjustments for any changes in our expected credit losses.

In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance that modifies disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. The resulting changes in disclosure will not 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. We adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2020. Our adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurement

Accounting standards define fair value as the exit price, or the amount that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. The standards also establish a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of us. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based upon the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy of these inputs is broken down into three levels: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs include (1) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, (2) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets and (3) inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is most significant to the fair value measurement.