SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies) |
12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mar. 31, 2026 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that impact the amounts reported and disclosed in our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. We prepared these estimates based on the most current and best available information, but actual results could differ materially from these estimates and assumptions. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principles of Consolidation | Principles of Consolidation All significant transactions and intercompany accounts between Kyndryl entities were eliminated. Within the financial statements and tables presented, certain columns and rows may not add due to the use of rounded numbers for disclosure purposes. Percentages presented are calculated from the underlying whole-dollar amounts. Certain items have been recast to conform to current-period presentation. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts that are reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Estimates are used in determining the following, among others: revenue, costs to complete service contracts, income taxes, pension assumptions, valuation of assets including goodwill and intangible assets, the depreciable and amortizable lives of long-lived assets, loss contingencies, allowance for credit losses and deferred transition costs. Actual results may be different from these estimates. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | Revenue The Company accounts for a contract with a client when it has written approval, the contract is committed, the rights of the parties, including payment terms, are identified, the contract has commercial substance and consideration is probable of collection. Revenue is recognized when, or as, control of a promised service or product transfers to a client, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring those products or services. If the consideration promised in a contract includes a variable amount, the Company estimates the amount to which it expects to be entitled using either the expected value or most likely amount method. The Company’s contracts may include terms that could cause variability in the transaction price, including, for example, rebates, volume discounts, service-level penalties and performance bonuses or other forms of variable consideration. In certain rare circumstances, if we grant the customer the right to return a product and receive a full or partial credit or refund of any consideration paid, the Company (i) recognizes revenue for the transferred products in the amount of consideration to which it expects to be entitled, (ii) records a refund liability and (iii) recognizes an asset for its right to recover products from customers on settling the refund liability. The Company only includes estimated amounts in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. The Company may not be able to reliably estimate variable consideration in certain long-term arrangements due to uncertainties that are not expected to be resolved for a long period of time or when the Company’s experience with similar types of contracts is limited. Changes in estimates of variable consideration are included in Note 3 – Revenue Recognition. The Company’s standard billing terms are that payment is due upon receipt of invoice, payable within 30 days. Invoices are generally issued as services are rendered and/or as control transfers, either at monthly or quarterly intervals or upon achievement of contractual milestones. In some services contracts, the Company bills the client prior to recognizing revenue from performing the services. In these cases, deferred income is presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. In other services contracts, the Company performs the services prior to billing the client. When the Company performs services prior to billing the client, the right to consideration is typically subject to milestone completion or client acceptance, and the amount is recorded as a contract asset. Contract assets are generally classified as current and are recorded on a net basis with deferred income (i.e., contract liabilities) at the contract level. The Company’s rights to consideration are presented separately depending on whether those rights are conditional or unconditional. Conditional contract assets are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Unconditional contract assets (“unbilled accounts receivable”) are included in Accounts receivable and Other noncurrent assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Refer to Note 3 – Revenue Recognition for contract assets for the periods presented. Additionally, in determining the transaction price, the Company would adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of the time value of money if the billing terms are not standard and the timing of payments agreed to by the parties to the contract provide the client or the Company with a significant benefit of financing, in which case the contract contains a significant financing component. As a practical expedient, the Company does not account for significant financing components if the period between when the Company transfers the promised product or service to the client and when the client pays for that product or service will be one year or less. The Company may include subcontractor services or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) hardware and/or OEM software components in certain integrated services arrangements. In these types of arrangements, revenue from sales of OEM hardware and/or OEM software components or services is recorded net of costs when the Company is acting as an agent between the client and the vendor and gross when the Company is the principal for the transaction. To determine whether the Company is an agent or principal, the Company considers whether it obtains control of the products or services before they are transferred to the customer. In making this evaluation, several factors are considered, most notably whether the Company has primary responsibility for fulfillment to the client, as well as inventory risk and pricing discretion. The Company reports revenue net of any revenue-based taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transactions. Performance Obligations The Company’s capabilities as an infrastructure services company include offerings that often encompass multiple types of services and may integrate various OEM hardware and/or OEM software components. When an arrangement contains multiple separate performance obligations, revenue follows the specific revenue recognition policies for each performance obligation, depending on the type of offering. The Company determines if the products or services are distinct and allocates the consideration to each separate performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. When products and services are not distinct, the Company determines an appropriate measure of progress based on the nature of its overall promise for the single performance obligation. The revenue policies below are applied to each performance obligation, as applicable. Standalone Selling Price The Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. The standalone selling price (SSP) is the price at which the Company would sell a promised product or service separately to a client. The Company establishes SSP based on management’s estimated selling price or observable prices of products or services sold separately in comparable circumstances to similar clients. For OEM hardware and/or OEM software components, the Company is able to establish SSP based on the cost from the vendor. The Company reassesses SSP ranges on a periodic basis or when facts and circumstances change. In certain instances, the Company may not be able to establish an SSP range based on observable prices and the Company estimates SSP. The Company estimates SSP by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, overall market conditions, including geographic or regional specific factors, competitive positioning, competitor actions, internal costs, profit objectives and pricing practices. Estimating SSP is a formal process that includes review and approval by the Company’s management. Lessor Revenue Our service contracts may contain embedded leases for assets used to fulfill our obligations. A contract contains an embedded lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Our embedded leases are recognized as either sales-type or operating leases. For sales-type leases, revenue and cost are recognized upon commencement of the lease in Revenue and Cost of services on the Consolidated Income Statement, respectively. Lease income from operating leases is recognized straight-line over the lease term and recorded as Revenue on the Consolidated Income Statement. Where a contract contains an embedded lease, the contract’s transaction price is allocated to the contract performance obligations and the lease component based upon the relative standalone selling price. Nature of Products and Services The Company delivers transformation and secure cloud services capabilities, insights and depth of expertise to modernize and manage IT environments based on its customers’ needs. The Company offers services such as cloud managed services, application hosting and modernization, security and resiliency services, enterprise infrastructure services, digital workplace services, network services and distributed cloud services to support its customers through technological change. Many of these services can be delivered entirely or partially through cloud or as-a-service delivery models. The Company’s services are provided on a time-and-material basis, as a fixed-price contract or as a fixed-price-per-measure-of-output contract, and the contract terms range from less than one year to over 10 years. The Company typically satisfies the performance obligation and recognizes revenue over time in services arrangements because the client simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided as the Company performs the services. In outsourcing, other managed services, application management and other cloud-based services arrangements, the Company determines whether the services performed during the initial phases of the arrangement, such as setup activities, are distinct. In most cases, the arrangement is a single performance obligation comprised of a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer (i.e., distinct days of service). The Company applies a measure of progress (typically time-based) to any fixed consideration and allocates variable consideration to the distinct periods of service based on usage. As a result, revenue is generally recognized over the period the services are provided on a usage basis. This results in revenue recognition that corresponds with the value to the client of the services transferred to date relative to the remaining services promised. Revenue from time-and-material contracts is recognized on an output basis as labor hours are delivered and/or direct expenses are incurred. Revenue from as-a-service type contracts is recognized either on a straight-line basis or on a usage basis, depending on the terms of the arrangement (such as whether the Company is standing ready to perform or whether the contract has usage-based metrics). If an as-a-service contract includes setup activities, those promises in the arrangement are evaluated to determine if they are distinct. In design and build arrangements, revenue is recognized based on progress toward completion of the performance obligation using a cost-to-cost measure of progress (e.g., labor costs incurred to date as a percentage of the total estimated labor costs to fulfill the contract). The estimation of cost at completion is complex, subject to many variables and requires significant judgment. Changes in original estimates are reflected in revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis in the period in which the circumstances that gave rise to the revision become known by the Company. Refer to Note 3 – Revenue Recognition for the amount of revenue recognized in the reporting period on a cumulative catch-up basis (i.e., from performance obligations satisfied, or partially satisfied, in previous periods). The Company performs ongoing profitability analyses of its design and build services contracts accounted for using a cost-to-cost measure of progress to determine whether the latest estimates of revenues, costs and profits require updating. If at any time these estimates indicate that the contract will be unprofitable, the entire estimated loss for the remainder of the contract is recorded immediately. For other types of services contracts, any losses are recorded as incurred. The Company’s services offerings may include the integration and/or sale of OEM hardware and/or software components. Contracts that include hardware and/or software components are evaluated to determine if they are separate performance obligations as discussed in “Performance Obligations” above. For distinct OEM hardware sales, revenue is recognized when control has transferred to the customer, which typically occurs when the hardware has been shipped to the client, risk of loss has transferred to the client and the Company has a present right to payment for the hardware. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of Services | Cost of Services Recurring operating costs for services contracts are recognized as incurred. Certain eligible, nonrecurring costs (i.e., setup costs) incurred in the initial phases of outsourcing contracts and other cloud-based services contracts, are capitalized when the costs relate directly to the contract, the costs generate or enhance resources of the Company that will be used in satisfying the performance obligation in the future and the costs are expected to be recovered. These costs consist of transition and setup costs related to the installation of systems and processes and other deferred fulfillment costs, including deferred software cost (e.g., committed multi-year, on-premises software purchases). Deferred costs to fulfill contracts also include prepaid assets used in services contracts (e.g., prepaid hardware maintenance). Capitalized costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit, which approximates the pattern of transfer to the client of the services to which the asset relates and includes anticipated contract renewals or extensions. Additionally, fixed assets associated with these contracts are capitalized and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of the asset and recorded in cost of sales. If an asset is contract-specific and cannot be repurposed, then the depreciation period is the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the contract term. The Company performs periodic reviews to assess the recoverability of deferred contract transition and setup costs. If the carrying amount is deemed not recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized. Refer to Note 3 – Revenue Recognition for the deferred costs to fulfill contracts for the periods presented. In situations in which an outsourcing contract is terminated, the terms of the contract may require the client to reimburse the Company for the recovery of unbilled accounts receivable, unamortized deferred contract costs and additional costs incurred by the Company to transition the services. Incremental Costs of Obtaining a Contract Incremental costs of obtaining a contract (e.g., sales commissions) are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern that the assets’ economic benefits are expected to be consumed, over the expected customer relationship period if the Company expects to recover those costs. The expected customer relationship period is determined based on the average customer relationship period, including expected renewals, for each offering type and ranges from to six years. Expected renewal periods are only included in the expected customer relationship period if commission amounts paid upon renewal are not commensurate with amounts paid on the initial contract. Incremental costs of obtaining a contract include only those costs the Company incurs to obtain a contract that it would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained. The Company has determined that certain commissions programs meet the requirements to be capitalized. For contracts shorter than one year, the Company has elected the practical expedient to recognize sales commissions as incurred. Additionally, some commission programs are not subject to capitalization as the revenue for services is received over time and the commission expense is paid and recognized as the related revenue is recognized. Refer to Note 3 – Revenue Recognition for capitalized costs to obtain contracts for the periods presented. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) is charged to income as incurred, except for certain sales commissions, which are capitalized and amortized. For further information regarding capitalizing sales commissions, see “Incremental Costs of Obtaining a Contract” above. Expenses of promoting and selling services are classified as selling expense and, in addition to sales commissions, include such items as compensation, advertising and travel. General and administrative expense includes such items as compensation, legal costs, office supplies, non-income taxes, insurance and office rental. In addition, general and administrative expense includes other operating items such as allowance for credit losses, amortization of certain intangible assets and research, development and engineering (“RD&E”) costs. Total RD&E costs were $57 million, $49 million, and $58 million for the years ended March 31, 2026, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising and promotional expense, which includes media, agency and promotional expense directly incurred by the Company was $69 million, $83 million, and $115 million for the years ended March 31, 2026, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Advertising and promotional costs are recorded in SG&A in the Consolidated Income Statement. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other Expense | Other Expense Other expense primarily consists of (income) and expense related to certain components of retirement-related costs, including interest costs, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service costs (credits), curtailments and settlements and other net periodic benefit costs. Also included are gains and losses from foreign currency transactions. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Defined Benefit Pension and Nonpension Postretirement Benefit Plans | Defined Benefit Pension and Nonpension Postretirement Benefit Plans For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation (PBO), which represents the actuarial present value of benefits expected to be paid upon retirement based on employee services already rendered and estimated future compensation levels. For nonpension postretirement benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO), which represents the actuarial present value of postretirement benefits attributed to employee services already rendered. The fair value of plan assets represents the current market value of assets held for the benefit of participants. For co-sponsored plans, the fair value of plan assets based on Company contributions, distributions and market returns and the benefit obligation attributed to employees of the Company are allocated to Kyndryl. Overfunded plans, in which the fair value of plan assets exceeds the benefit obligation, are aggregated, and recorded in Pension assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Underfunded plans, in which the benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets, are aggregated and the noncurrent portion of this excess is recorded in Retirement and nonpension postretirement benefit obligations in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The current portion of the benefit obligation in excess of the fair value of plan assets represents the actuarial present value of benefits payable in the next twelve months, measured on a plan-by-plan basis. The current portion of this obligation is recorded in Accrued compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension and nonpension postretirement benefit plans is recorded in the Consolidated Income Statement and includes service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service costs (credits) and actuarial (gains) losses previously recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”). The service cost component of net benefit cost is recorded in Cost of services and SG&A in the Consolidated Income Statement (unless eligible for capitalization) based on the employees’ respective functions. The other components of net benefit cost are presented separately from service cost within Other expense (income) in the Consolidated Income Statement. Actuarial (gains) losses and prior service costs (credits) are recognized as a component of OCI in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) as they arise. Those actuarial (gains) losses and prior service costs (credits) are subsequently recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost pursuant to the recognition and amortization provisions of applicable accounting guidance. Actuarial (gains) losses arise as a result of differences between actual experience and assumptions or as a result of changes in actuarial assumptions. Prior service costs (credits) represent the cost of benefit changes attributable to prior service granted in plan amendments. The measurement of benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost is based on estimates and assumptions approved by the Company’s management. These valuations reflect the terms of the plans and use participant-specific information such as compensation, age and years of service, as well as certain assumptions, including estimates of discount rates, expected return on plan assets, rate of compensation increases, interest crediting rates and mortality rates. The Company participates in non-U.S. multi-employer pension plans and makes required contributions to those plans, which are recorded in Cost of services and SG&A in the Consolidated Income Statement based on the employees’ respective functions. Defined Contribution Plans Prior to the Separation, the former Parent offered various defined contribution plans for U.S. and non-U.S. employees. In September 2021, in preparation for the Separation, Kyndryl established standalone defined contribution plans, and employees identified as Kyndryl employees were enrolled into these plans. Contribution expense associated with employer matching benefits is recorded when the employee renders service to the Company. The charge is recorded in Cost of services and SG&A in the Consolidated Income Statement based on the employees’ respective functions. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-Based Compensation | Stock-Based Compensation Stock-based compensation expense represents the cost related to stock-based awards granted to employees under Kyndryl’s stock-based compensation plan (the “Kyndryl Plan”). The Company establishes stock-based compensation values at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award and recognizes the cost on a straight-line basis (net of actual forfeitures) over the requisite employee service period. Kyndryl grants the Company’s employees Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), market-conditioned stock units, performance-conditioned stock units and stock options. RSUs are stock units granted to employees that entitle the holder to shares of Kyndryl common stock as the award vests, typically over a - to period. Market-conditioned stock units are granted to employees with vesting conditions based on the Company’s achievement of a market condition and are cliff vested at the end of the three-year service period. Performance-conditioned stock units are granted to employees with vesting conditions based on the attainment of operational targets (e.g., signings and free cash flows) and are cliff vested at the end of the three-year performance period. Certain performance-conditioned stock units are also subject to a market condition such that the actual number of shares that vest at the end of the respective three-year performance period is determined based on the Company’s achievement of operational targets and market condition over the same three-year performance period. Stock options are vested over a - to four-year period and have a ten-year contractual term. As of March 31, 2026, 47.9 million shares of common stock have been approved to be granted to employees under the Kyndryl Plan. Dividend equivalents are not paid on the stock-based awards described above. The fair value of the RSUs is determined on the grant date based on Kyndryl’s stock price, adjusted for the exclusion of dividend equivalents where applicable. The fair value of market-conditioned stock units is determined on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model which estimates the probability of satisfying market conditions. The fair value of the performance-conditioned stock units is determined on the grant date based on Kyndryl’s stock price and subsequently adjusted based upon the probability of attainment. For awards with both a performance and a market condition, the fair value of each stock unit is determined on the date of grant using a Monte-Carlo simulation model, and subsequently adjusted based upon the probability of attainment of operational targets. The fair value of stock options is determined on the grant date using a Black-Scholes model. Stock-based compensation cost is recorded in Cost of services and SG&A in the Consolidated Income Statement based upon the employees’ respective functions. The Company records deferred tax assets for awards that result in tax deductions in the consolidated financial statements calculated based on the amount of compensation cost recognized and the relevant statutory tax rates. The differences between the deferred tax assets recognized for financial reporting purposes and the actual tax deduction reported on the income tax return are recorded as a benefit or expense to the provision for income taxes in the Consolidated Income Statement. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative Financial Instruments | Derivative Financial Instruments Derivative financial instruments that qualify for hedge accounting are designated as either cash flow hedges or net investment hedges. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that economically hedge certain risks, even when hedge accounting does not apply, or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Derivatives are recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value on a gross basis as either assets or liabilities and classified as current or noncurrent based upon the timing of the instrument’s expected cash flows. Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded, net of applicable taxes, in OCI and subsequently reclassified into the same income statement line item as the hedged exposure when the underlying hedged item is recognized in earnings. Derivatives designated as net investment hedges are accounted for using the spot method, with changes in the fair value of the derivatives attributable to changes in spot rates recorded within foreign currency translation adjustments (“CTA”) as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and remaining there until the hedged net investments are sold or substantially liquidated. The changes in the fair value of the derivatives that are attributable to changes in the difference between the forward rate and spot rate are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The changes in fair value that are attributable to the excluded components are initially recorded in CTA and then recognized in interest expense on the Consolidated Income Statement over the life of the derivative instruments. Changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedges are reported in other expense in the Consolidated Income Statement. See Note 7 – Financial Assets and Liabilities for further information. The cash flows associated with derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are reported as cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Cash flows from derivatives designated as net investment hedges are reported as cash flows from investing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, except for cash flows from the periodic interest settlements of cross-currency interest rate swaps designated as net investment hedges, which are reported as cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Cash flows from derivatives not designated as hedges are reported as cash flows from investing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Translation of Non-U.S. Currency Amounts | Translation of Non-U.S. Currency Amounts Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries that have a local functional currency are translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Translation adjustments are recorded in OCI. Income and expense items are translated at weighted-average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Property and equipment, deferred income and other non-monetary assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries and branches that operate in U.S. dollars are translated at the approximate exchange rates prevailing when the Company acquired the assets or liabilities. All other assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars are translated at year-end exchange rates with the transaction gain or loss recognized in other expense. Income and expense items are translated at the weighted-average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. These translation gains and losses are included in net income for the period in which exchange rates change. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents All highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less on the date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Current Expected Credit Losses | Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Current Expected Credit Losses The Company classifies the right to consideration in exchange for products or services transferred to a client as a receivable. Receivables are recorded concurrent with billing and delivery of a service to customers. An allowance for uncollectible receivables and contract assets, if needed, is estimated based on specific customer situations, current and future expected economic conditions and past experiences of losses, as well as an assessment of potential recoverability of the balance due. Receivable losses are charged against the allowance in the period in which the receivable is deemed uncollectible. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Write-offs of receivables and associated reserves occur to the extent that the customer is no longer in operation and/or there is no reasonable expectation of additional collections or repossession. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transfers of Financial Assets | Transfers of Financial Assets The Company has entered into arrangements with third-party financial institutions to sell certain financial assets (primarily accounts receivables) without recourse. The Company has determined these are true sales. The carrying value of the financial asset sold is derecognized, and a net gain or loss on the sale is recognized, at the time of the transfer. The first agreement, which was executed in November 2021 and subsequently amended, enabled us to sell certain of our accounts receivables to the counterparty. The initial term of this agreement was 18 months, and the agreement automatically resets to a term of 18 months after every six months, unless either party elects not to extend. This agreement was further amended during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 to reduce the committed facility limit from $1 billion to $600 million and to add an incremental uncommitted facility limit of $200 million that is subject to the counterparty’s sole discretion to purchase such incremental amounts. At this time, the agreement will expire in April 2027. We have also entered into additional agreements with a separate third-party financial institution that enable us to sell receivables. These agreements were first executed in June 2022 and subsequently amended to renew automatically every 18 months, unless either party elects not to extend. The net proceeds from these arrangements are reflected as cash provided by operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Gross proceeds from receivables sold to third parties were $2.4 billion, $3.2 billion, and $3.6 billion for the years ended March 31, 2026, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Of the receivables sold and derecognized from the Consolidated Balance Sheet, $0.9 billion, $1.0 billion and $1.1 billion remained uncollected from customers at March 31, 2026, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The fees associated with the transfers of receivables were $18 million, $38 million, and $49 million for the years ended March 31, 2026, 2025 and 2024, respectively. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value Measurement In determining the fair value of its financial instruments, the Company uses methods and assumptions that are based on market conditions and risks existing at each balance sheet date. All methods of assessing fair value result in a general approximation of value, and such value may never actually be realized. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company classifies certain assets and liabilities based on the following fair value hierarchy:
The level of an asset or liability within the fair value hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The determination of fair value considers various factors including yield curves and time value underlying the financial instruments. For derivatives and debt securities, the Company uses a discounted cash flow analysis using discount rates commensurate with the duration of the instrument. In determining the fair value of financial instruments, the Company considers certain market valuation adjustments to the “base valuations” using the methodologies described below for several parameters that market participants would consider in determining fair value:
Certain non-financial assets such as property, plant and equipment, operating right-of-use assets, land, goodwill and intangible assets are recorded at fair value or at cost, as appropriate, in the period they are initially recognized, and such balances may be adjusted in subsequent periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the asset may be impaired. The impairment models used for non-financial assets depend on the type of asset. The fair value measurements, in such instances, would be classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supplier Financing Program | Supplier Financing Program In the year ended March 31, 2024, the Company initiated a supplier financing program with a third-party financial institution under which the Company agrees to pay the financial institution the stated amounts of invoices from participating suppliers on the originally invoiced due date, which have an average term of 90 to 120 days. The financial institution offers earlier payment of the invoices at the sole discretion of the supplier for a discounted amount. The Company does not provide secured legal assets or other forms of guarantees under the arrangements. The Company or the financial institution may terminate the agreement upon at least 180 days’ notice. The Company’s obligations under this program continue to be recognized as Accounts payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The obligations outstanding under this program at March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2025 were immaterial. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leases | Leases When entering into a procurement contract, the Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at its inception. As part of that evaluation, the Company considers whether there is an implicitly or explicitly identified asset in the arrangement and whether the Company, as the lessee, has the right to control the use of that asset. Leases are classified as either finance leases or operating leases. The Company recognized right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and associated lease liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet for leases with a term of more than twelve months when a majority percentage of utilization was attributed to the Company. As an implicit rate of return is not readily determinable in transactions where the Company is the lessee, an incremental borrowing rate is used in determining the present value of lease payments, calculated based on information available at the lease commencement date. The ROU asset equals the lease liability adjusted for any initial direct costs, prepaid rent and lease incentives. The Company’s variable lease payments generally relate to payments tied to various indexes, non-lease components and payments above a contractual minimum fixed amount. Operating leases are included in Operating right-of-use assets net and Operating lease liabilities (current and noncurrent) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Finance leases are included in Property and equipment, Current portion of long-term debt and short-term debt, and Long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The lease term includes options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company made a policy election to not recognize leases with a lease term of twelve months or less in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. For all asset classes, the Company has elected the lessee practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components (e.g., maintenance services) and account for the combined unit as a single lease component. A significant portion of the Company’s lease portfolio is real estate leases, which are mainly accounted for as operating leases and are primarily used for corporate offices and data centers. The average term of the real estate leases is approximately five years. The Company also has equipment leases, such as for IT equipment and vehicles, which have lease terms that range from to five years. For certain of these operating and finance leases, the Company applies a portfolio approach to account for the lease assets and lease liabilities. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible Assets Including Goodwill | Intangible Assets Including Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. The primary drivers that generate goodwill are the value of synergies between the acquired entities and the Company and the acquired assembled workforce, neither of which qualifies as a separately identifiable intangible asset. Goodwill recorded in an acquisition is assigned to applicable reporting units based on expected revenues or expected cash flows. Goodwill inherited from the former Parent pre-Separation represents the historical goodwill balances in the former Parent’s managed infrastructure services business arising from acquisitions specific to the Company. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives, which approximates the pattern that the assets’ economic benefits are expected to be consumed over time. Amortization of completed technology is recorded in cost of services, and amortization of all other intangible assets is recorded in SG&A in the Consolidated Income Statement. All costs related to internally developed computer software during the preliminary project stage and post-implementation operation stage are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred during application development stage are capitalized and included in intangibles and amortized over the estimated useful life of the software. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment | Impairment Long-lived assets, other than goodwill, are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The impairment test is based on undiscounted cash flows and, if impaired, the asset is written down to fair value based on either discounted cash flows or appraised values. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually and whenever changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. The goodwill impairment test is performed at the reporting unit level, which aligns with our operating segments. Impairment charges related to long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill, if any, are recorded as impairment expense in the Consolidated Income Statement. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction-Related Costs | Transaction-Related Costs The Company classifies certain expenses and benefits related to the Separation, acquisitions and divestitures as Transaction-related costs (benefits) in the Consolidated Income Statement. Transaction-related costs include gains or losses, employee retention expenses, information technology costs, marketing expenses to establish the Kyndryl brand, legal, accounting, consulting and other professional service costs, costs and benefits resulting from settlements with our former Parent associated with pre-Separation and Separation-related matters, and other costs related to contract and supplier novation and integration, associated with acquisitions, divestitures or the Separation. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workforce Rebalancing and Site-Rationalization Charges | Workforce Rebalancing and Site-Rationalization Charges The Company has incurred workforce rebalancing charges, charges related to ceasing to use leased and owned fixed assets and charges related to lease terminations. We record a liability for employee termination benefits either when it is probable that an employee is entitled to it and the amount of the benefits can be reasonably estimated or when management has communicated the termination plan to employees. Workforce rebalancing charges are recorded as a separate line on the Consolidated Income Statement. Charges related to ceasing to use leased assets and owned fixed assets and charges related to lease terminations are recognized as cost of services or selling, general and administrative expenses based on our classification policy for each category. Refer to Note 18 – Workforce Rebalancing and Site-Rationalization Charges for details of this program. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and Equipment | Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost, or in the case of acquired property and equipment, at fair value at the date of the acquisition. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred, whereas expenditures that extend the life or increase the functionality of the asset are capitalized as additions to property and equipment. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is included in the determination of net income or loss. In March 2024, the Company completed its assessment of the useful lives of its information technology equipment. Based on our usage experience and data analysis, the Company determined it should increase the estimated useful lives of its information technology equipment from to six years. This change in accounting estimate became effective on April 1, 2024. Based on the carrying amount of information technology equipment included in property and equipment, net as of March 31, 2024, the effect of this change in estimate was a reduction in depreciation expense and an improvement of income before income taxes of approximately $180 million, or $0.80 before income taxes per basic share and $0.77 before income taxes per diluted share, for the year ended March 31, 2025. We compute depreciation expense on a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
(1) Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the related lease term, rarely exceeding 10 years. (2) Extended from to three years to to four years effective April 1, 2025. The impact of this change was not material. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Environmental | Environmental The costs of internal environmental protection programs that are preventative in nature are expensed as incurred. When a cleanup program becomes likely and it is probable that the Company will incur cleanup costs and those costs can be reasonably estimated, the Company accrues remediation costs for known environmental liabilities. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income Taxes | Income Taxes Income tax provisions are calculated based on Kyndryl’s operating footprint, as well as tax return elections and assertions. Liabilities related to unrecognized tax benefits for which the Company is liable are reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheet based upon tax authorities’ ability to assert the Company may be the primary obligor for historical taxes, among other factors. Income tax expense is based on reported income before income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effect of temporary differences between asset and liability amounts that are recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amounts that are recognized for income tax purposes. These deferred taxes are measured by applying currently enacted tax laws. U.S. tax reform introduced Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”), which subjects a U.S. shareholder to current tax on income earned by certain foreign subsidiaries. GAAP allows companies to either (i) recognize deferred taxes for temporary differences that are expected to reverse as GILTI in future years or (ii) account for taxes on GILTI as period costs in the year the tax is incurred. The Company has elected to recognize GILTI impact in the specific period in which it occurs. Valuation allowances are recognized to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that will more likely than not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management considers all available evidence for each jurisdiction including past operating results, estimates of future taxable income and the feasibility of ongoing tax planning strategies and actions. When there is a change in the determination as to the amount of deferred tax assets that can be realized, the valuation allowance is adjusted with a corresponding impact to provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made. The Company recognizes additional tax liabilities when the Company believes that certain positions may not be fully sustained upon review by tax authorities. Benefits from tax positions are measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits are generally recorded as liabilities; however, to the extent they relate to tax attributes such as net operating loss or tax credit carryforwards, they are recorded as reductions to the related deferred tax assets. The noncurrent portion of tax liabilities is included in Other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. To the extent that new information becomes available which causes the Company to change its judgment regarding the adequacy of existing tax liabilities or reductions to deferred tax assets, such changes will impact income tax expense in the period in which such determination is made. Interest and penalties, if any, related to accrued liabilities for potential tax assessments are included in income tax expense. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per Share | Earnings per Share Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) for the period by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the period and potentially dilutive securities, including restricted stock units, performance-conditioned awards, market-conditioned awards, and stock options using the treasury stock method. Refer to Note 6 – Earnings per Share for a reconciliation as well as Note 16 – Stock-based Compensation for further discussion on awards. |