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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
3 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Polciies:

 

Use of Estimates

 

The accounting records are maintained in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, incremental borrowing rates and recognition of renewal options for operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The estimates that we make include allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation, impairment analysis of long-lived assets, income tax assets and liabilities, fair value of marketable securities and revenue recognition. Estimates are based on historical experience where applicable or other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

The interim financial statements are prepared pursuant to the instructions for reporting on Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulations S-X of the SEC Rules and Regulations. The July 31, 2022 consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The interim financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company's latest Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2022. In the opinion of management, the interim financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the results for interim periods. The results of operations for the current period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year ending July 31, 2023 or any other period.

 

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash primarily consists of cash held in bank accounts for tenant security deposits and other amounts required under certain loan agreements.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Generally, rent is due from tenants at the beginning of the month in accordance with terms of each lease. Based upon its periodic assessment of the quality of the receivables, management uses its historical knowledge of the tenants and industry experience to determine whether a reserve or write-off is required. The Company uses specific identification to write-off receivables to bad debt expense in the period when issues of collectibility become known. Collectibility issues include late rent payments, circumstances when a tenant indicates their intention to vacate the property without paying, or when tenant litigation or bankruptcy proceedings are not expected to result in full payment. Management also assesses collectibility by reviewing accounts receivable on an aggregate basis where similar characteristics exist. In determining the amount of the allowance for credit losses, the Company considers past due status and a tenant’s payment history. We also consider current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions. Our assessment considers volatility in market conditions and evolving shifts in credit trends that may have a material impact on our allowance for uncollectible accounts receivables in future periods.

 

Allowance for Uncollectible and Bad Debt Expense

 

As of October 31, 2022 and July 31, 2022, and primarily because of the lingering effects of COVID-19, the Company recorded an allowance for uncollectible receivables in the amount of $333,000 and $393,000, respectively, as an offset to receivables. Activity in the allowance for uncollectible receivables for each period follows:

 

   Allowance for
Uncollectible
Accounts Receivable
   Bad Debt Expense 
   Period Ended   Three Months Ended 
   October 31   July 31   October 31 
   2022   2022   2022   2021 
Beginning balance   $393,000   $318,000   $   $   — 
Charge-offs    
    
        144,604 
Reserve adjustments    (60,000)   75,000    (60,000)   63,000 
Ending Balance   $333,000   $393,000   $(60,000)  $207,604 

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method and the declining-balance method. Amortization of improvements to leased property is calculated over the life of the lease. Lives used to determine depreciation and amortization are generally as follows:

 

Buildings and improvements   18-40 years  
Improvements to leased property   3-10 years  
Fixtures and equipment   7-12 years  
Other   3-5 years  

 

Maintenance, repairs, renewals and improvements of a non-permanent nature are charged to expense when incurred. Expenditures for additions and major renewals or improvements are capitalized along with the associated interest cost during construction. The cost of assets sold or retired, and the accumulated depreciation or amortization thereon are eliminated from the respective accounts in the year of disposal, and the resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income. Capitalized interest is recorded as part of the asset to which it relates and is amortized over the asset’s estimated useful life.

 

Impairment

 

The Company reviews property and equipment and related lease intangibles for possible impairment when certain events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable through operations plus estimated disposition proceeds. Events or changes in circumstances that may occur include, but are not limited to, significant changes in real estate market conditions, estimated residual values, and an expectation to sell assets before the end of the previously estimated life. Impairments are measured to the extent the current book value exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset less disposition costs for any assets classified as held for sale. As of October 31, 2022 and July 31, 2022, the Company has determined there was no impairment of its property and equipment or related lease intangibles.

 

Deferred Charges

 

Deferred charges consist principally of costs incurred in connection with the leasing of property to tenants. Such costs are amortized over the related lease periods, ranging from 4 to 21 years, using the straight-line method. If a lease is terminated early, such costs are expensed.

 

Leases - Lessor Revenue

 

The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09 (Topic 606) Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Rental income is recognized from tenants under executed leases no later than on an established date or on an earlier date if the tenant should commence conducting business. Unbilled receivables are included in accounts receivable and represent the excess of scheduled rental income recognized on a straight-line basis over rental income as it becomes receivable according to the provisions of the lease. The effect of lease modifications that result in rent relief or other credits to tenants, including any retroactive effects relating to prior periods, are recognized in the period when the lease modification is signed. At the time of the lease modification, we assess the realizability of any accrued but unpaid rent and amounts that had been recognized as revenue in prior periods. As lessor, we have elected to combine the lease components (base rent), non-lease components (reimbursements of common area maintenance expenses) and reimbursements of real estate taxes and account for the components as a single lease component in accordance with ASC 842. If the amounts are not determined to be realizable, the accrued but unpaid rent is written off. Accounts receivable are recognized in accordance with lease agreements at its net realizable value. Rental payments received in advance are deferred until earned.

 

In April 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a Staff Q&A on accounting for leases during the COVID-19 pandemic, focused on the application of lease guidance in ASC Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”). The Q&A states that it would be acceptable to make a policy election regarding rent concessions resulting from COVID-19, which would not require entities to account for these rent concessions as lease modifications under certain conditions. Entities making the election will continue to recognize rental revenue on a straight-line basis for qualifying concessions. Rent deferrals would result in an increase to accounts receivable during the deferral period with no impact on rental revenue recognition. The Company elected this policy during the year ended July 31, 2020. Rent deferrals included in receivables were $220,000 and $250,000 as of October 31, 2022 and July 31, 2022, respectively.

 

Leases - Lessee

 

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. With the adoption of ASC 842, operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets, and operating lease liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet.

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make payments arising from the lease. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Taxes

 

The computation of the annual expected effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year and future periods, projections of the proportion of income (or loss), and permanent and temporary differences. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, more experience is acquired, or as additional information is obtained. To the extent the estimated annual effective tax rate changes during a quarter, the effect of the change on prior quarters is included in tax expense for the current quarter.

 

The Company had a federal net operating loss carryforward approximating $10,096,000 as of July 31, 2022 available to offset future taxable income. As of July 31, 2022, the Company had unused state and city net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $12,308,000 for state and $12,293,000 for city, available to offset future state and city taxable income. The net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire, if not used, in 2035.

 

New York State and New York City taxes are calculated using the higher of taxes based on income or the respective capital- based franchise taxes. Beginning with the Company’s tax year ending July 31, 2025, changes in the law required the state capital-based tax will be phased out. New York City taxes will be based on capital for the foreseeable future. Capital-based franchise taxes are recorded to administrative and general expense. State tax amounts in excess of the capital-based franchise taxes are recorded to income tax expenses. Due to both the application of the capital-based tax and due to the possible absence of city taxable income, the Company does not record city deferred taxes.