Refer to the data and other information provided for Wong Corporation in E20-15. Assume that the equipment has an estimated economic life of seven years and that its fair value on September 1, 2017 is $79,000.
In E20-15
On September 1, 2017, Wong Corporation, which uses ASPE, signed a five-year, non-cancellable lease for a piece of equipment. The terms of the lease called for Wong to make annual payments of $13,668 at the beginning of each lease year, starting September 1, 2017. The equipment has an estimated useful life of six years and a $9,000 unguaranteed residual value. The equipment reverts back to the lessor at the end of the lease term. Wong uses the straight-line method of depreciation for all of its plant assets, has a calendar year end, prepares adjusting journal entries at the end of the fiscal year, and does not use reversing entries. Wong's incremental borrowing rate is 10%, and the lessor's implicit rate is unknown.
Instructions
(a) Explain why this lease is now considered an operating lease.
(b) Prepare all necessary journal entries for Wong Corporation for this lease, including any year-end adjusting entries through December 31, 2018.
(c) Identify what accounts will appear on Wong's December 31, 2017 balance sheet and income statement relative to this lease.
(d) How would Wong's December 31, 2017 balance sheet and income statement differ from your answer to part (c) if the lease were a capital lease as described in E20-15?
(e) From the perspective of an investor, discuss the effect of accounting for this lease as an operating lease rather than as a capital lease.