BLM16020 - Lease accounting: leasebacks and sub-leases: sale and operating leaseback under FRS 102

If the leaseback is an operating lease, the seller-lessee has disposed of substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset, and so has realised a profit or loss on the disposal. Therefore both the sale and the lease are usually recognised as such. However the situation can be complicated if the sale is other than at fair value.

Sale at fair value

Where the sale is at fair value any profit or loss should be recognised immediately.

Sale at above fair value

If the sale price is above fair value, the seller-lessee shall defer the excess over fair value and amortise it over the period for which the asset is expected to be used.

Sale at below fair value

If the sale price is below fair value, the seller-lessee shall recognise any profit or loss immediately unless the loss is compensated for by future lease payments at below market price. In that case the seller-lessee shall defer and amortise such loss in proportion to the lease payments over the period for which the asset is expected to be used.