Question

(Lessee Accounting and Reporting) On January 1, 2017, Evans Company entered into a noncancelable lease for a machine to be used in its manufacturing operations. The lease transfers ownership of the machine to Evans by the end of the lease term. The term of the lease is 8 years. The minimum lease payment made by Evans on January 1, 2017, was one of eight equal annual payments. At the inception of the lease, the criteria established for classification as a capital lease by the lessee were met.

Instructions

(a) What is the theoretical basis for the accounting standard that requires certain long-term leases to be capitalized by the lessee? Do not discuss the specific criteria for classifying a specific lease as a capital lease.

Short answer

When a lease transfers substantially it should be capitalized by the lessee.

Step-by-step solution

Meaning of Capital Lease

A capital lease is a mutual agreement in which the lessor agrees to transfer possession of the asset to the lesseeat the end of the lease term. A lessee can benefit from capital leasing because he can buy the asset at a rate cheaper than the market value.

Explaining the theoretical basis of accounting standard

The lessee should capitalize a lease when it transfers substantially all of the advantages and risks associated with property ownership to the lessee. In many ways, the economic impact of such a lease on the lessee is comparable to that of an installment purchase.