Exposure Draft 75, Leases, and Request for Information, Concessionary Leases and Other Arrangements Similar to Leases
The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board® (IPSASB®) has today released for comment Exposure Draft (ED) 75, Leases and Request for Information, Concessionary Leases and Other Arrangements Similar to Leases. Stakeholder comments on ED 75 and Request for Information sought by May 17, 2021.
ED 75 proposes an IFRS 16, Leases aligned model for lease accounting in the public sector. For lessees, as with the IPSASB’s previous proposals in ED 64, ED 75 proposes a right-of-use model that will replace the risks and rewards incidental to ownership model in International Public Sector Accounting Standard® (IPSAS®) 13, Leases. For lessors, ED 75 proposes to substantially carry forward the risks and rewards incidental to ownership model in IPSAS 13 in response to ED 64 comments and practical IFRS 16 implementation experience.
Issued alongside ED 75, the Request for Information will provide the IPSASB with further information on the issues that need to be considered in accounting for concessionary leases and other arrangements similar to leases that are quite common in the public sector. This will then allow the IPSASB to determine the nature and extent of the additional guidance required in phase two of the Leases project.
“In light of the responses to ED 64, Leases, and emerging practical experience with implementing IFRS 16, the IPSASB decided to revise its overall approach to the Leases project,” said IPSASB Chair Ian Carruthers. “The proposals in ED 75 will improve the transparency of lease accounting in the public sector, while allowing it to benefit from the private sector experience in implementing IFRS 16. The Request for Information will provide the IPSASB with further background on the more complex lease-related transactions common in the public sector, enabling the Board to decide what further guidance is required.”
How to Comment
To access the Exposure Draft, its summary At-a-Glance document, and the Request for Information or to submit a comment, visit the IPSASB website, www.ipsasb.org. Comments are requested by May 17, 2021. The IPSASB encourages IFAC members, associates, and Network Partners to promote the availability of this Consultation Paper to their members and employees.
About the IPSASB
The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) works to strengthen public financial management globally through developing and maintaining accrual-based International Public Sector Accounting Standards® (IPSAS®) and other high-quality financial reporting guidance for use by governments and other public sector entities. It also raises awareness of IPSAS and the benefits of accrual adoption. The Board receives support from the Asian Development Bank, the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, the New Zealand External Reporting Board, and the governments of Canada and New Zealand. The structures and processes that support the operations of the IPSASB are facilitated by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). For copyright, trademark, and permissions information, please go to permissions or contact permissions@ifac.org.
About the Public Interest Committee
The governance and standard-setting activities of the IPSASB are overseen by the Public Interest Committee (PIC), to ensure that they follow due process and reflect the public interest. The PIC is comprised of individuals with expertise in public sector or financial reporting, and professional engagement in organizations that have an interest in promoting high-quality and internationally comparable financial information.